grace_koalateareads's reviews
163 reviews

Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran was a heartbreakingly beautiful read. I can’t use my own words to do it justice, so here are some quotes from the book which sum up my experience reading it.

“It was hard to enter the detention centre, even harder to leave it.”

“‘Churches one of the three Cs of colonisation, Lucky said.

'And the other two?’ he asked.

'Contagion and carnage.’”

“Stories of endless months and years trapped on this island, unable to find out if the loved ones they'd left behind were alive, or in prison, or drowned; the despair of Not Knowing if they'd ever find out.”

“There’s no justice for the dead, but maybe you can still help the living.”

“Sometimes I think the only lucky ones are the dead. They're the only ones who sleep peacefully - them and the decision makers who never have to experience the horror of the wars they sign us up for.”

“How many horrors do you survive before death is a mercy?”

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

This quick yet powerful story takes the reader on a journey through occupied Palestine, through time and through details thought to be minor. 

Partly based on a true story, part one of the book follows an Israeli soldier and unit, a year after the war of 1948, in a bid to find Palestinians who have fled into the Negev desert. They do find a small encampment and murder all but a Palestinian girl, who they abuse, r*pe and inevitably kill. 

An incident that is eventually reported in the present day, which a woman in Ramallah becomes invested in researching this ‘minor detail’ of history, and uncovers more details than she realises. 

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli (translated by Elizabeth Jaquette) is one to add to your TBR pile. I was fascinated to learn more about the occupation of Palestine, the everyday struggles of the people who live there, especially in the West Bank, and how the invasion of the Israeli’s totally rewrote the land and literally changed the maps. This may have been set in a time before the Genocide happening in Gaza currently, yet the parallels were still there in neon signs. 

‘Minor Detail’ actually shows the major details in an occupation that has lasted over 75 years. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 🇵🇸🕊️

The Deep-Sea Duke by Lauren James

adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective tense 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

5.0

The Starlight Watchmaker by Lauren James

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious 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

5.0

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

5.0

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

5.0

“There’s nothing stupid about wanting to be loved” 

Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour was an absolute joy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, and although not all that much happened, I was still utterly wrapped up with the plot. Thea characters held by hold heart, the dialogue, the movie I wish I could watch, the set designs.. everything. This book was everything. Cannot recommend it more. 

Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

Requiem For Immortals by Lee Winter was a dangerous and delectable story about an assassin and a mouse*, violence and music, a gangland war and a requiem for the dead. 

I don’t know what I was expecting jumping into this one, but I was pleasantly surprised to be swept into the story and didn’t look back. I loved that it was set in Melbourne and referenced places I’d been or known about. The tension between Natalya and Alison was palpable and was felt right up to the last page. I also really enjoyed the two additional short stories about Natalya in the Rainbow Crate edition. They brought an extra layer to the main plot.

I really enjoyed Lee’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her books in the future. Also really appreciated the representation and content warnings plainly written at the beginning of the book. Something I wish all authors/publishers would do.

"Never apologise for being who you are," Natalya said, quietly. "If you have the urge to dance in the rain, dance in the rain." 

*not a literal mouse! 

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake was, as stated by Ashley herself: “A gift to sapphics everywhere.” I was utterly wooed by this story, the characters, the swoon-worthy spicy moments, the romance and the faking dating was *chefs kiss*! 

I’m sad that the Bright Falls trilogy is over, but I cannot wait to reread these books over and over and over again! 10 out of 5 stars! Cannot recommend these books enough! 

This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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

5.0

I know I should be writing a beautifully crafted review for this book. But all I’ve got is awe and sadness that it’s over! I loved every second of this duology and I could literally reread them right now! A more succinct review may come eventually .. for now, all I can do is give all the stars for these books! 

These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Stirling was a complete and utter joy to read! I could have read the entire book in one sitting, if it wasn’t for needing to get up early for my pesky job. I can hardly write a proper review now as I’m so excited to start the next book! 

I literally have no notes! This was perfection, cover to cover and I can’t wait to read more of Isabel’s books in the future! 

My only criticism was having a few HP/JKR references, but I also know this was written before JKR went off the rails.