gaiadances's reviews
327 reviews

Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

interesting take on the vampire trope set in contemporary time. all the uncertainty, insecurity and turmoil that lydia struggles with over her identity, her human vs vampire nature, food and her relationships with those around her are completely alike to a human character. this books tries to tackle alot of different issues all at once but the strongest portions are when we sit in lydia's head trying to unpack her emotions and reality. some of the other characters really do come across very flat compared to her

The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert

emotional funny lighthearted reflective tense 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? It's complicated

2.75

fun spicy quick romance that still touches on interesting power dynamics within a family and domestic abuse

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

i liked both lark and lachlan a lot more than i liked the first two LOL. lark is so much more fun and cutie pie as usual the twists and mystery aspects of the book felt quite lame and underdeveloped but LOL i guess that’s just how it is when the romance takes precedence 

The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton, Sona Charaipotra

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

i thought this was an interesting exploration of truth/lies, social media, girlhood and friendship. it tried to explore many themes - eating disorders, body image, sexual violence, racism, self harm, toxic families - but perhaps the writers should hav nailed down 2/3 and stuck to exploring them in depth. some themes felt very touch and go without proper time and care being given to them. i think it was an engaging and fun read with the mixed media elements and very real portrayals of growing up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Eating disorder, Racism, and Sexual violence

Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

this book was a complicated reading experience. i liked it a lot more than i expected to (mainly cos i thought i would hate it based off the reviews) i liked that we got to see more interesting parts of this world and the dragons and understand the world building better. i like that it was spicy and there was proper twists i didn’t see coming a mile away. but oh my god the repetitive scenes and fucking irritating inner voice of violet. the girl bitches about honesty and secret keeping BUT she’s the one lying to everyone around her too jeeez. please let us just get xaden’s POV full time hes far more interesting and multifaceted. 

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

i loved the concept behind this book but somehow the execution fell a bit flat. i think part of it was because the meta story within a story wasn’t as interesting as the actual romance itself. also this felt too much like instagram love where i didn’t get why they even liked each other let alone when it started. anderson was badly developed as a love interest and the small town workings were really not that interesting at all. the discussion of romance as an important literary genre were great and the twist was good but i was disappointed by this ashley poston book :(

The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco by Talia Hibbert

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-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? It's complicated

2.5

The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

3.0

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

i enjoyed being able to revisit the world of THG again so many years after first reading the trilogy as a teenager. snow as a main character is highly unsympathetic and extremely selfish. his relationship and supposed care for Lucy Gray & his own family is his only redeeming characteristic and even that is rooted in his own advancement. the little easter eggs and foreshadowing to the main trilogy are very satisfying as a reader. i think reading mockingjay right after this would tie up a lot of threads and provide much more philosophical and political backing for the plot there.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

was a very engaging and immersive mystery. while some twists are more easily guessed i didn’t figure out a lot of the big twists. i really enjoyed the exploration of female friendship, queer relationships, storytelling & appropriation as well as the complicated nature of mentor mentee  dynamics in writing.