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garlinds's reviews
124 reviews
Three by D.A. Mishani
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Confinement, Death, Violence, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Eating disorder, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage and Dementia
World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Relatively Normal Secrets by C.W. Allen
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a free audiobook from NetGalley and Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Tuesday and Zed are two "normal" siblings trying to navigate life with some not-so-normal parents, that is until their parents leave for a "business trip" and they are chased into a whole new dimension by soldiers who plan to kidnap them. Along with their "dog" Nix, they embark on a life-changing adventure.
This is a charming middle-grade read, I enjoyed it as an adult and I would have absolutely devoured it when I was younger. Falinnheim is a fantastical world that reminded me of Narnia with the addition of some sci-fi/tech elements that would resonate with today's youth. The story is fast-paced, and the resolution is satisfying while still leaving the doors open for more stories that I look forward to picking up in the future. For now, I'll be dreaming of Falinnheim and recommending this book to any middle-grade fantasy reader that I know.
Tuesday and Zed are two "normal" siblings trying to navigate life with some not-so-normal parents, that is until their parents leave for a "business trip" and they are chased into a whole new dimension by soldiers who plan to kidnap them. Along with their "dog" Nix, they embark on a life-changing adventure.
This is a charming middle-grade read, I enjoyed it as an adult and I would have absolutely devoured it when I was younger. Falinnheim is a fantastical world that reminded me of Narnia with the addition of some sci-fi/tech elements that would resonate with today's youth. The story is fast-paced, and the resolution is satisfying while still leaving the doors open for more stories that I look forward to picking up in the future. For now, I'll be dreaming of Falinnheim and recommending this book to any middle-grade fantasy reader that I know.
Fangs by Sarah Andersen
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Season of the Witch by Sarah Rees Brennan
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Autumn by Ali Smith
challenging
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
The Tarot Cycle: Poems for the Apocalypse (Apocalypse Poems) by Elektra Flowers
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This book is a collection of poems based on the Major Arcana tarot cards.
I don't really know what I was expecting with this collection. Many of the poems are beautifully written, but I didn't really connect with them thought I would. I'm just starting to learn about tarot cards, so perhaps I will revisit these poems when I know a bit more to really understand them. Some poems that stuck out more than were: "Death", "Justice", and "The World".
I read an advance copy (thank you NetGalley). I really hope that the final edition has imagery accompanying each poem. I think that would bring this collection up to four stars for me.
I don't really know what I was expecting with this collection. Many of the poems are beautifully written, but I didn't really connect with them thought I would. I'm just starting to learn about tarot cards, so perhaps I will revisit these poems when I know a bit more to really understand them. Some poems that stuck out more than were: "Death", "Justice", and "The World".
I read an advance copy (thank you NetGalley). I really hope that the final edition has imagery accompanying each poem. I think that would bring this collection up to four stars for me.
flower crowns and fearsome things by Amanda Lovelace
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
"If every other girl is queen anne's lace then I am poison hemlock."
This collection is classic Amanda Lovelace. While it is definitely stronger than her past work, much of it feels rushed and underdeveloped. Sometimes her poems are beautiful and lyrical, sometimes she is just stating facts on the page. I did enjoy the connection between Persephone and this collection, it helped me acknowledge the hypocrisy of the human experience, that I think Lovelace was trying to point out.
I listened to the audiobook version, so I did miss out on the illustrations that have enhanced her work for me in the past. I will certainly flip through a copy of this book the next time I'm at a bookstore. One element that I found very helpful with the audiobook version was Amanda's commentary after each section of poems, it helped me understand what she was going for with her work.
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advanced audiobook.
This collection is classic Amanda Lovelace. While it is definitely stronger than her past work, much of it feels rushed and underdeveloped. Sometimes her poems are beautiful and lyrical, sometimes she is just stating facts on the page. I did enjoy the connection between Persephone and this collection, it helped me acknowledge the hypocrisy of the human experience, that I think Lovelace was trying to point out.
I listened to the audiobook version, so I did miss out on the illustrations that have enhanced her work for me in the past. I will certainly flip through a copy of this book the next time I'm at a bookstore. One element that I found very helpful with the audiobook version was Amanda's commentary after each section of poems, it helped me understand what she was going for with her work.
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advanced audiobook.