goodwitchclover's reviews
71 reviews

Magical Boy, Volume 1 by The Kao

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

I honestly think that the “trans guy has to deal with the trappings of a magical girl lifestyle” concept could be explored in a manner that is far deeper and more interesting than this, but it’s a perfectly cute start!

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.0

A devastatingly bleak novel, about the systematic oppression perpetrated by power. Really solid read, if not a bit unfocused.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

A library of choices and regrets to explore from your life is a great reminder that maybe you shouldn’t kill yourself!

The Seep by Chana Porter

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

This book is a sci-fi fever dream, engaging in weird complicated questions related to identity, existence, social place, capitalism, and literally everything else. It’s also trippy as fuck!

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

The idea of a “humble peasant” falling in love with a royal is an old, boring trope of romance, but what if it was sapphic? What then??? And what if it was actually pretty cute???

Internment by Samira Ahmed

dark hopeful informative sad medium-paced

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

4.5

A Trump-era take on the growing discrimination and rhetoric against Muslim-Americans. I do wish they could’ve gone a bit further beyond the initial premise, but it works well as it is.

The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations by John McCain, Mark Salter

funny informative medium-paced

4.0

It’s hard to call John McCain a decent man, when he worked to continue the Iraq War and to fought to discriminate against gay and queer folks, ESPECIALLY in the military. But out of the old guard Republicans, he was certainly one of the most honest men in his party, and a genuine leader and public servant. I think this book reflects that dedication to service well, and offers an innate sense of humility that the politicians of today could do to learn from.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

It’s a light fluffy fairytale about a genderqueer prince. Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be anything more!

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

These are the type of books kids deserve to read, and I mean that in the best way possible. Such wonder and heart here, and I obviously love the film adaptation.

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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? No

5.0

It’s doomed yuri with mermaids on the side, what more could you need?

Okay, but seriously, as someone who typically avoids horror, this was a solid read. There were lots of cool diverse characters, the prose was really solid, and aside from one cheap death it had a lot going for it, from premise to finale.