endemictoearth's reviews
3970 reviews

How Lovely the Ruins: Inspirational Poems and Words for Difficult Times by Elizabeth Alexander, Emi Ikkanda, Annie Chagnot

hopeful inspiring reflective sad

3.75

Frostbite, Lovebite by Megan Derr

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

My Love Will Last Until the End of Time by Nanako Haida

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!, Vol. 13 by Yuu Toyota

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.25

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

RTC

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was by Sjón

challenging mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

Unshuttered by Patricia Smith

challenging dark emotional reflective sad

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

2.75

Hmmm, this one is a hard one to categorize and rate. I think it is a hi-lo title, which accounts for the simplicity of the story and the writing, but it was strange because the ages would typically make this a middle grade title, but it is in the teen section because of the young pregnancy (and possibly the ending, as well). 

I didn't feel as manipulated by the ending as with some stories, but it did seem needlessly tragic. I cried a bit; I'm not made of stone, but . . . I don't know. I think I would have liked some more backstory for Joseph and Maddie. We wouldn't have had to have details, just maybe the really didn't understand the consequences. In some ways, I feel like this almost romanticized teen pregnancy, which feels wrong.

I am somewhat interested in reading the follow up, because I feel like it can't be as tragic as this one, and I did really like the POV character and his family. 

Winter Under the Covers: A Small Town M/M Secret Relationship Romance by Elle Waters

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

I've really enjoyed this low-angst series that has an edge of self-awareness. (The running joke of how they're slowing getting all their queer friends to move to this town is cute and not grating.)

This book was also very sweet, and showed a specific difficulty of coming out in a way I haven't seen that often. Similar to another ARC I had (Second Chance by S.B. Barnes) we have a character who isn't fully out, but also isn't trying to hide who he is to many people. However, in this one, he is most worried about coming out to his family, which leads him to ask his new love interest to keep things on the down low.

While I can see some people getting frustrated with this, I mostly thought it was interesting to see someone who left town early to live the life he wanted, but didn't think he could share with his family. Then, when he comes home years later for an extended period (he's covering his mother's veterinarian practice while she's recovery from an injury) and it takes him time to recalibrate to a more accepting town than he remembers.

I did eventually get frustrated with Connor when he got in his own way and let Shay down too many times. I still believed the HEA, but I wish the low angst vibes could have applied to the third act, as well. 

That being said, I do like this series and there was plenty here to enjoy. Looking forward to the Spring installment!

Thanks to GRR for the advanced copy!