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greeneggsandsam's reviews
70 reviews
A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea by Masaji Ishikawa
challenging
informative
sad
5.0
Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was such an enjoyable read. I especially loved that the characters loved books and writing, and getting those bookish quotes and scenes in there. The romance was cute and fun to watch evolve, and I loved the character of Savannah's best friend.
The only issue that I had is with the sister's fiance plot point. If we could have seen the resolution with the family, instead of just reading that they sat down/talked/apologized to one another, I think it would have been more impactful. But with how it resulted, I felt it wasn't very important and the book may have been better without it (plus it was, to me, a little unbelievable, especially the character of Savannah's sister).
But if you want a clean, fun romance with a but of comedy and plenty of bookish/writer scenes, I recommend this. It was a quick read (2 days, but less than 24 hours for me) and the main romance was believable!
The only issue that I had is with the sister's fiance plot point. If we could have seen the resolution with the family, instead of just reading that they sat down/talked/apologized to one another, I think it would have been more impactful. But with how it resulted, I felt it wasn't very important and the book may have been better without it (plus it was, to me, a little unbelievable, especially the character of Savannah's sister).
But if you want a clean, fun romance with a but of comedy and plenty of bookish/writer scenes, I recommend this. It was a quick read (2 days, but less than 24 hours for me) and the main romance was believable!
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
dark
emotional
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? N/A
5.0
"Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Caraval follows Scarlett Dragna who has always dreamed of going to the legendary game called Caraval. Her and her sister, Donatella, get invitations, but Donatella is kidnapped as soon as she arrives. The game this year is to find Donatella, but the lines between reality and the game blue for Scarlett in this dark and twisty fantasy.
I wasn't expecting this to be as dark as it was, but I loved it from the get go. The sisters' bond was incredible, the romance was enjoyable, the twists were spectacular. I can't wait to see how the story is continued into book two. Caraval was pure enjoyment that wrapped me up in the story and made it hard to quit reading!
TW for blood/gore, physical abuse, death/suicide
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Caraval follows Scarlett Dragna who has always dreamed of going to the legendary game called Caraval. Her and her sister, Donatella, get invitations, but Donatella is kidnapped as soon as she arrives. The game this year is to find Donatella, but the lines between reality and the game blue for Scarlett in this dark and twisty fantasy.
I wasn't expecting this to be as dark as it was, but I loved it from the get go. The sisters' bond was incredible, the romance was enjoyable, the twists were spectacular. I can't wait to see how the story is continued into book two. Caraval was pure enjoyment that wrapped me up in the story and made it hard to quit reading!
TW for blood/gore, physical abuse, death/suicide
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
"She recognized the strange happiness that came from loving something without knowing why you did, that strange happiness that was sometimes so big that it felt like sadness."
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Raven Boys is a paranormal fantasy that follows Blue, the daughter of a psychic who didn't inherit her family's abilities, but instead amplifies them for others. Her life becomes wrapped up with a group of four boys from the local prestigious school, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah. The four boys have been looking for something most believe as a legend, but it seems more realistic when Blue begins to search with them.
There's a lot of characters to learn and get to know, but Stiefvater did an amazing job at giving them year on personalities. The tension kept me on the edge if my seat when things starting building up to the climax. I'm really excited to continue the series, see where the plot goes, and get to know these characters more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Raven Boys is a paranormal fantasy that follows Blue, the daughter of a psychic who didn't inherit her family's abilities, but instead amplifies them for others. Her life becomes wrapped up with a group of four boys from the local prestigious school, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah. The four boys have been looking for something most believe as a legend, but it seems more realistic when Blue begins to search with them.
There's a lot of characters to learn and get to know, but Stiefvater did an amazing job at giving them year on personalities. The tension kept me on the edge if my seat when things starting building up to the climax. I'm really excited to continue the series, see where the plot goes, and get to know these characters more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? N/A
5.0
"We should appreciate the flower, regardless of its roots."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a retelling of the Chinese legend of Chang'e. We follow Xingyin, the sheltered daughter of the Moon Goddess, who has to flee from the moon and find a way to survive in the celestial realm. Xingyin strives to find a way to free her mother, but she learns the journey in trying to do so is more perilous than she imagined.
This novel is so whimsical and is sprinkled with beautiful quotes. The world building was easy to follow, and it was such a joy to learn. It's easy to visualize the places Xingyin is in thanks to Sue Lynn Tan's lush writing. The myth/legend aspect of the plot was so intriguing!
I personally feel like Xingyin's character is very realistic, especially as a YA character set for this age group. She does think about things other than her mother, like her relationships and friendships with other people. She's instinctuallly a moral person. This, along with her coping through her fears and doubts, pushing herself to stay strong and be brave, makes her such a loveable character.
The twist absolutely destroyed me! I was not expecting the developments that came towards the climax of the book, and it hurt my soul in the best way possible. The last two ro three chapters also had me crying, so that always makes me love a book more!
I cannot say enough good things about this. Personally, it's the perfect length, long enough to suck you in and make you never want it to end. I cannot wait for the finale!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a retelling of the Chinese legend of Chang'e. We follow Xingyin, the sheltered daughter of the Moon Goddess, who has to flee from the moon and find a way to survive in the celestial realm. Xingyin strives to find a way to free her mother, but she learns the journey in trying to do so is more perilous than she imagined.
This novel is so whimsical and is sprinkled with beautiful quotes. The world building was easy to follow, and it was such a joy to learn. It's easy to visualize the places Xingyin is in thanks to Sue Lynn Tan's lush writing. The myth/legend aspect of the plot was so intriguing!
I personally feel like Xingyin's character is very realistic, especially as a YA character set for this age group. She does think about things other than her mother, like her relationships and friendships with other people. She's instinctuallly a moral person. This, along with her coping through her fears and doubts, pushing herself to stay strong and be brave, makes her such a loveable character.
The twist absolutely destroyed me! I was not expecting the developments that came towards the climax of the book, and it hurt my soul in the best way possible. The last two ro three chapters also had me crying, so that always makes me love a book more!
I cannot say enough good things about this. Personally, it's the perfect length, long enough to suck you in and make you never want it to end. I cannot wait for the finale!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
"They say that when faced with a fight you cannot win, you can never predict what you will do next. But I'd always known I'd fight until I was killed."
⭐⭐⭐💫
Binti is a sci-fi novella by Nnedi Okorafor that follows the first of the Himba people to be accepted into a university outside of her planet. She leaves her family and deep rooted traditions for the opportunity, but the alien race, Meduse, that has been wronged by the university's people seek revenge.
For such a short read, this was incredibly unique and interesting. The sci-fi elements weren't difficult to grasp for me. Learning about the Himba people's culture was intriguing, and I like how it played into the fate of Binti's life. I enjoyed reading about a character that is determined to not give up who she is just because she feels like an outsider.
⭐⭐⭐💫
Binti is a sci-fi novella by Nnedi Okorafor that follows the first of the Himba people to be accepted into a university outside of her planet. She leaves her family and deep rooted traditions for the opportunity, but the alien race, Meduse, that has been wronged by the university's people seek revenge.
For such a short read, this was incredibly unique and interesting. The sci-fi elements weren't difficult to grasp for me. Learning about the Himba people's culture was intriguing, and I like how it played into the fate of Binti's life. I enjoyed reading about a character that is determined to not give up who she is just because she feels like an outsider.
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
adventurous
emotional
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
"I am Tarisai of Swana, and I've seen your stories now. They belong to me, as mine belong to you. You don't have to help me change the world. But you mark my words; when I get going, this world will change."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Raybearer is the story of Tarisai, daughter to the one known only as The Lady. She grew up craving the attention and love she never received from a mother who created her to become a pawn in a scheme to kill the crown prince, Dayo.
I literally loved everything about this book, I don't know where to start. The writing is so incredible, especially when knowing this is a debut novel. The worldbuilding is so immersive and unique. Sometimes it's beautiful and creates vivid imagery in your mind, and other times it shows the creepier parts of the world. Ifueko does an incredible job at explaining the world.
Where this book REALLY excels is in the characters and their development. You come to love so many characters and feel for their hardships. You're not just told they care for one another, you're shown how much their love shapes them into the friends and people they want to be.
The narrator, Joneice Abbott-Pratt, is the most incredible narrator I've listened to thus far. She has such a wonderful reading voice, and she's amazing at changing her voice for the speech of different characters. She made the book pop even more!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Raybearer is the story of Tarisai, daughter to the one known only as The Lady. She grew up craving the attention and love she never received from a mother who created her to become a pawn in a scheme to kill the crown prince, Dayo.
I literally loved everything about this book, I don't know where to start. The writing is so incredible, especially when knowing this is a debut novel. The worldbuilding is so immersive and unique. Sometimes it's beautiful and creates vivid imagery in your mind, and other times it shows the creepier parts of the world. Ifueko does an incredible job at explaining the world.
Where this book REALLY excels is in the characters and their development. You come to love so many characters and feel for their hardships. You're not just told they care for one another, you're shown how much their love shapes them into the friends and people they want to be.
The narrator, Joneice Abbott-Pratt, is the most incredible narrator I've listened to thus far. She has such a wonderful reading voice, and she's amazing at changing her voice for the speech of different characters. She made the book pop even more!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis
medium-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
2.5
2.5 stars
"Why should I care if the tides rise again if I am only a corpse riding riding the waves?"
⭐⭐💫
Given to the Sea is a multi POV story that mainly revolves around Khosa, a woman who is to he sacrificed to the sea to save the kingdom of Stille. We also follow Vincent- the second in line to the throne of Stille, Witt- the leader of the Pietra who desire to rule all that is on the land, and Dara/Donil- twins who are the last of the Indiri race (magical beings).
The multiple POVS is what drew me in, but ultimately I feel like it's part of what let the book down. There wasn't much development on the characters or world. You have a bunch of jargon thrown at you that you don't understand because it isn't explained until way later in a comprehensive way. The characters can be a little dull, and the plot wasn't very prevalent. The intrigue kept me going, and I will read book two as I already own it, but I will definitely lower my expectations for that one, as I felt myself dragging through this book. There were also plenty of cringey moments too.
The world is unique, I just wanted more information of it explained in a better way. Learning about the ways of the Pietra through Witt's perspective was really interesting, but we got the smallest amount of it. I wanted to have more good to say about the book, but (possibly due to my high expectations) it was ultimately a disappointment.
⭐⭐💫
"Why should I care if the tides rise again if I am only a corpse riding riding the waves?"
⭐⭐💫
Given to the Sea is a multi POV story that mainly revolves around Khosa, a woman who is to he sacrificed to the sea to save the kingdom of Stille. We also follow Vincent- the second in line to the throne of Stille, Witt- the leader of the Pietra who desire to rule all that is on the land, and Dara/Donil- twins who are the last of the Indiri race (magical beings).
The multiple POVS is what drew me in, but ultimately I feel like it's part of what let the book down. There wasn't much development on the characters or world. You have a bunch of jargon thrown at you that you don't understand because it isn't explained until way later in a comprehensive way. The characters can be a little dull, and the plot wasn't very prevalent. The intrigue kept me going, and I will read book two as I already own it, but I will definitely lower my expectations for that one, as I felt myself dragging through this book. There were also plenty of cringey moments too.
The world is unique, I just wanted more information of it explained in a better way. Learning about the ways of the Pietra through Witt's perspective was really interesting, but we got the smallest amount of it. I wanted to have more good to say about the book, but (possibly due to my high expectations) it was ultimately a disappointment.
⭐⭐💫
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
hopeful
informative
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
"But I like winter... And if you can love the earth, understand it when all the beauty is gone and see it for what it is, that's magic."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Nature of Witches follows Clara, the first Everwitch in over 100 years, who has the weight of the world's survival on her shoulders. As an Everwitch, she has an affinity for all four seasons (rather than only being strong during one) which makes her an inherently stronger witch. Due to humans taking more from the Earth than it can handle, it's survival is at stake as climate related issues continue to grow.
Rachel Griffin makes you feel for Clara right from the get go with a heart wrenching backstory and crazy amounts of pressure being put on a young girl who doesn't feel she's capable. This book is a beautiful exploration of Clara's growth, learning to love herself, and learning to love her magic. It's a very wholesome story with a very cute romance and beautifully atmospheric writing.
I love that this book weaves important issues or climate change we have going on today into the story, leaving a hopeful feeling behind. I'll definitely be getting Griffin's upcoming August release ASAP.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Nature of Witches follows Clara, the first Everwitch in over 100 years, who has the weight of the world's survival on her shoulders. As an Everwitch, she has an affinity for all four seasons (rather than only being strong during one) which makes her an inherently stronger witch. Due to humans taking more from the Earth than it can handle, it's survival is at stake as climate related issues continue to grow.
Rachel Griffin makes you feel for Clara right from the get go with a heart wrenching backstory and crazy amounts of pressure being put on a young girl who doesn't feel she's capable. This book is a beautiful exploration of Clara's growth, learning to love herself, and learning to love her magic. It's a very wholesome story with a very cute romance and beautifully atmospheric writing.
I love that this book weaves important issues or climate change we have going on today into the story, leaving a hopeful feeling behind. I'll definitely be getting Griffin's upcoming August release ASAP.
Girls of Fate and Fury by Natasha Ngan
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? N/A
5.0
"If I have learned anything since this war began, it is that souls are messy, imperfect things. Even the most beautiful of them have the capacity to be cruel."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Girls of Fate and Fury is the third and final book in the Girls of Paper and Fire series by Natasha Ngan. The series follows two girls who are forced concubines to the Demon King, called Paper Girls, who are involved I the rebellion against the Demon Court's terrible rule.
This book, and the series as a whole, was such a challenging story that took me on an emotional roller coaster. It made me question myself because I loved these deeply flawed characters who made such awful decisions but did so for what they felt were the right reasons. Ngan is not afraid to catapult your heart right out of your chest, and I really didn't know where she was going to take the characters, whether it would be good or bad and to what extent. This is explores more of thr magic in the world than previously developed, which added even more to the intrigue.
I absolutely loved the ride this book took me on. One minute my heart was melting for the romance between characters, and the next I'm biting my nails wondering what could go wrong next for them. The feminist undertones, and LGBTQ representation are very present, and I love how they played into the plot. This is a series I can see myself enjoying again in the future, especially when I'm in need of a good heart wrencher.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Girls of Fate and Fury is the third and final book in the Girls of Paper and Fire series by Natasha Ngan. The series follows two girls who are forced concubines to the Demon King, called Paper Girls, who are involved I the rebellion against the Demon Court's terrible rule.
This book, and the series as a whole, was such a challenging story that took me on an emotional roller coaster. It made me question myself because I loved these deeply flawed characters who made such awful decisions but did so for what they felt were the right reasons. Ngan is not afraid to catapult your heart right out of your chest, and I really didn't know where she was going to take the characters, whether it would be good or bad and to what extent. This is explores more of thr magic in the world than previously developed, which added even more to the intrigue.
I absolutely loved the ride this book took me on. One minute my heart was melting for the romance between characters, and the next I'm biting my nails wondering what could go wrong next for them. The feminist undertones, and LGBTQ representation are very present, and I love how they played into the plot. This is a series I can see myself enjoying again in the future, especially when I'm in need of a good heart wrencher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault