felix's reviews
39 reviews

Witchmark by C.L. Polk

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Read for a book club discussion. I liked the general plot/pacing of this book, but wasn't convinced on all of the worldbuilding or character development. I especially didn't feel convinced about the central romance, and wanted more details about the various countries and people in the world. I am interested in seeing what happens in the sequels. 

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O'Neal

emotional funny tense 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

3.75

Interpreting lycanthropy as a chronic illness is a really interesting premise, and this book does pretty well with it. 

There were a few points where I disagreed with the author about how people use Discord and Tumblr.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Blood, Medical content

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Really not sure how I felt about the ending of this one. Overall it was compelling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Fun read as an adult, but I think if I'd read it as a kid it would've been really important.

I also really love when fantasy characters get put into the "real world," I sort of wanted more of that.

A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.0

A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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

4.25

I read this book a couple months ago and I've been thinking about it since as a hopeful example of what our future could be like.

The Return of Fitzroy Angursell by Victoria Goddard

adventurous 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

4.0

At the Feet of the Sun by Victoria Goddard

adventurous emotional hopeful slow-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

The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

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Content Warnings

Minor: Incest, Cannibalism

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

I really liked this book! I found it to be an excellent interpretation of the "present-day teenagers engaging with mythology/legend" type of story.