ginalucia's reviews
496 reviews

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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

4.0

Sister Spirit is a story that focuses on identity, belonging, and self-discovery, all mixed with the supernatural.

It’s a fast and easy read, so if you’re looking to get some West African myth in your reading life, this is a great book to pick up.

The characters we follow closely within the book are complicated but feel very real. I enjoyed the journey they went on. It handles some complicated topics with grace, but gives you the emotion and sense of adventure a young character feels when trying to find themselves.

I did struggle a little with the main character's relationship with her adoptive parents though. I wanted a little more of that, to go deeper so it would give the story more weight and grounding. That part felt rushed to get us to the 'better' part of the story faster.

I enjoyed learning more about West African Mythology through the lens of what felt like a lived experience. Getting to see some Nigerian representation and being immersed in that world was a huge pull for this book.

Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:

* Spice levels: Very low levels, just kissing.

* Fantasy levels: West African spirits and ancestors galore!

* Rep: Queer rep.

* Trigger warnings: Mental health, homophobia, death, grief.

* The format I read it in: Physical.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/

Content Warnings

Young Gothic by M.A. Bennett

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Young Gothic took me by surprise. I didn’t read the blurb, so I went in without knowing how many gothic references would be throughout. I guess that’s on me. After all, it’s in the title.

I’m going to be honest, it took me a while to get into this one because the language and characters are very Gen Z, but once I got used to that (it’s just a switch-up from what I usually read), I had a great time.

It’s a very immersive and fun (but obviously creepy) read. You feel like you could be in the room with these characters, like you’re one of them, but nobody references you.

The story is slightly predictable, but I think it’s meant to be. You’ll see why if you give it a go.

I did have a few issues that reduced my star rating though. I won’t mention them because they’re spoilers, but just make sure to check the trigger warnings.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/

Content Warnings

The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

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dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

The Invocations is gruesome, unsettling, and honestly quite gross. But in a good way.

Krystal Sutherland is a master at writing grim, goopy, and chilling descriptions coupled with strangely empowering yet real women.

This is an unsettling book that has House of Usher and Umbrella Academy vibes but less superhero and more outcast witches.

It’s heart pounding and head spinning. The only thing bringing it down for me is the slightly slow pacing at times.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/

Content Warnings

Babylonia by Costanza Casati

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challenging tense slow-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

5.0

Babylonia is one of those books I will continue to think about for a long time.

Costanza Casati is a magnificent writer. Not only is her writing fluid, beautiful, and very immersive, but the care she takes with any and all source material is admirable.

Babylonia is completely different in tone and style from her other myth-based book, Clytemnestra. It's poetic and very reflective, which suits the story and the characters. Babylonia is almost elevated in a way. Not better, but different.

In contrast to this style are the depictions of war and violence. These scenes are not gentle. They’re pershaps some of the most disturbing I’ve ever read. They’re not sugar-coated. They’re horrifying.

It feels weird to say, but the inclusion of these scenes and Casati’s handling of them, make the book better. Especially when, as a result, you see the fallout from this. How the characters react and navigate them makes for a deeper and more realistic idea of what it was like.

The book does slow down at parts, but stick with it because this is a book to savour, not rush through. If you’re a mythology, retelling, or ancient historical fiction fan, this has to be on your list.

Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:

* Spice levels: I’d say closed door for the most part.

* Fantasy levels: None. The gods are mentioned a lot, but they are not present.

* Rep: Queer rep throughout.

* Trigger warnings: A lot! Intense violence and depictions of war, addiction, and child abuse.

* The format I read it in: Physical.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/

Content Warnings

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

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challenging emotional funny hopeful 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

4.25

At first, I was a little annoyed that a second book came out after The House in the Cerulean Sea. I knew I'd like it because it's T.J. Klune, but I didn't feel it was needed.

I still don't think it was needed for the story, but the book has a bigger purpose than that, and I think it can serve as something incredibly healing for a lot of people. Not just the people he dedicated it to (which was beautiful, by the way), but anyone who feels like they didn't fit in as a child. It healed a little something even in me.

I don't think the book is perfect though. It was a little too cheesy at times, I felt Linus took a bit too much of a backseat, and some of the more villainous characters were a little too cliche in their villainy for my liking. However, I understand that making this book more realistic in that respect might make it too difficult of a read, and a little too challenging when it should be comforting and empowering.

Amazing writing as per usual though, the banter was perfect, and all the kids are amazing. I love each and every one.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Content Warnings

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

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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? Yes

3.0

Eh, this wasn’t really for me.

As a friend said, this is like the Hallmark film of books but with added spice. It's harmless reading that could be a quick pallet cleanse if you need it, but it was too predictable and cheesy for me.

Helen's Judgement by Susan C. Wilson

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challenging dark tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

Helen's Judgement is the second installment in The House of Atreus series, but honestly, it could be read alone. Either way, it’s worth every page.

If you've been desperate for a more detailed and intimate experience of what it was like for Helen of Troy, this is it. As a bonus, you get Achilles' side of the story, which is as detailed as it is harrowing.

This book is harsh, so if you're looking for a romantic retelling, you're not going to get it. But that's exactly what makes it so good. It's unsettling and upsetting. Less fantasy and more gritty reality mixed with ancient myth.

It does get a little slow towards the middle, but the story requires it because the last quarter needs all that built-up to bring the drama to its peak.

If you want to feel a thousand things, give this a go.

Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:

* Spice levels: Open door scenes, some a little more detailed than others.

* Fantasy levels: None, gods are talked about but do not appear.

* Rep: Queer rep throughout, although it’s a bit more subtle.

* Trigger warnings: Sexual abuse, war, grief, death.

* The format I read it in: Physical.

Thank you Neem Tree Press, for my advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/

Content Warnings

Gods of Want: Stories by K-Ming Chang

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challenging dark mysterious 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

4.0

Gods of Want was challenging, deep, and dark. As a short story collection, every single one was beautifully written. Some left me uncomfortable, some left me with questions, others left me deeply unsettled. They're all very surreal.

I really enjoyed this. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way.

Content Warnings

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

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emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

5.0

This book pulled something a bit raw out of me. It made me feel like I just had a therapy session. So I don't necessarily feel better, but I do understand.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built is filled with so many interesting thoughts, philosophical questions, and relatable quips that tickled my brain. I felt seen and opened up in a way I wasn’t expecting, especially in so few words.

If you miss the pointers towards gender and society, you're really missing out on some of the things that make this book great. It has so many layers and is a book I might just need to re-read again to see them all clearly.

I’ll be recommending this to everyone whether they like it or not.

For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt

Content Warnings

Wolfsong by TJ Klune

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.

Love the writing and story but the ages/age gap of the main characters made me uncomfortable. Given that's the whole point of the book, I don't think I can read it.

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ginalucia's reviews 496 reviews

ginalucia's reviews
496 reviews