emblazedwords's reviews
159 reviews

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A Guest in the House by E.M. Carroll

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This book was so emotional and so well done. It was more than just a book on these immortal cells and how they were wrongly taken: it was also a history of the Lacks family themselves. Skloot gave us an intimate history on Henrietta as well as family, how her children were impacted by her death, and how they came to understand her legacy. 

I didn't realize until reading this book how new the concept of medical consent is. I also got more background history on Black people and their relationship with medicine, how it's hurt them and made them distrustful.

Definitely worth the hype!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Forced institutionalization

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was just cute as a button! It really gave me Heartstopper vibes, but in Canada and featuring a jock loves the nerd romance. I enjoyed all the characters, and really enjoyed Alix and Ezra's development over the course of the story! This book makes some interesting points about characters' gender/sexual identity, as well as heteronormativity.

The only reason I can't give this a higher rating is because I think there were too many unresolved issues or plot points by the end of the book. Maybe there will be a volume 2?

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy- 4⭐/5

Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Curious Tides is an excellent dark academia fantasy, with a well-built world, unique magic system, and secret society intrigue. I enjoyed the dual POV chapters, as well as the character development we see in Emory and Baz. 

This book has some really pretty prose in it, although I did find sections that drawled on for a little too long. This is a slow-paced read, but once you get past the first few chapters, you find yourself entranced by the story and the characters! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Medical content

The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Gods & Monsters by Shelby Mahurin

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0