hannahleelovestoread's reviews
609 reviews

Jackknife by Joe Hill

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I did not expect to love this short story; in fact, there were some elements included which I usually dislike. But the creeping, metaphorical horror Joe Hill employs to comment on today’s uncomfortable but incredibly important social topics is downright addictive. His writing reminds me just a bit of Shirley Jackson’s. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship

My Kidventors: The Amazing Animal Translator by Kathryn Vatt

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

Author Kathryn Vatt knocked it out of the park with her book My Kidventors: The Amazing Animal Translator. In this adorable work of children’s literature, dynamic sibling duo Johnny and Ellie are bright, curious, and deeply compassionate about animals. However, they often find themselves frustrated at their inability to communicate directly with their animal friends. Using a creative combination of materials, they invent a revolutionary device which changes everything for their home community of Sparkville — and earns them the moniker “the Kidventors.” 

Even aside from the obvious animal friends element, this story has everything I adored in books as a young child:  adventures with siblings, family memories, creative pursuits, and helping others. These are important values to instill in the younger generations, and I believe Vatt does so successfully here without lecturing. This adorable and irresistibly charming children’s book is by far the most heartwarming thing I’ve read in quite some time. 

Her Remarkable Protector by Alessa Kelly

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

In Her Remarkable Protector, author Alessa Kelly’s latest novel, female protagonist Honor Deveraux has a deeply troubled past. Her involvement with Damon Stone, head of the notoriously ruthless Stoneborn Circle, only makes matters worse. When Honor becomes pregnant and escapes in an effort to give her child a better life, Damon predictably sends members of Stoneborn after her. But someone else from her past reaches her first — someone who, try as she might, she cannot hate or even dislike. 

This was a fast-paced story with thorough character development, witty banter, and lots of spice. Male protagonist Chase Samson — a “golden retriever” with a dark past of his own — was irresistibly likable. I really enjoyed the element of tension between the characters as Chase tried to place Honor while she knew who he was the entire time. This was only my second Alessa Kelly book, but based on my experience so far, I’ll certainly be reading more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent

Moderate: Violence, Stalking

Minor: Grief

Coven of Andromeda by Ron Blacksmith

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Fantasy, I must admit, is not usually my first pick among genres. However, this book was an exception to that rule. The delightful story tells of the Tanner women — mother Mary Ann and daughters Molly and Bree — moving back to their family home after the death of matriarch Nancy. It is an open secret among the women — and a few men — of the small town of Ballad that one of the girls will inherit Nancy’s leadership position over the titular Coven of Andromeda. Things are not so simple, however. There are dark forces desirous of the Coven’s power, and Bree cannot help but think that the attractive neighbor whose face floods her with deja vu might know more than he admits. 

Along with the author’s colorful descriptions and thorough character development, this book’s status as a work of low fantasy makes it eerily realistic. The story led me to reevaluate some of my long-held beliefs about witchcraft, necromancy, and reincarnation. Bree and Sam, in particular, made me question my belief that soulmates do not exist. This book is a literary treasure, and I cannot wait to read more of this author’s work. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Kidnapping

Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War

The Life of Nia by Clemens Jeneral, Nathalie Jeneral

adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

This book is a one-of-a-kind volume of children’s poetry, its catchy and charming rhyme scheme almost deceptive in comparison to the weight of its environmental themes. It was written for very young readers who are in a position to begin developing their own, unique dietary habits and preferences. The story within begins with little Nia weighing her passion for growing and eating fruits and vegetables against her parents’ encouragement toward meat and other, heartier foods. Ultimately deciding on the compromise of a plant-based diet which includes substitutions for meat and the like, Nia then lives her live as an advocate for clean living and a healthy climate. 

The authors do an admirable job of tackling such a serious topic in a children’s book, particularly given that the whole plot is presented in rhyming verse. Furthermore, the illustrations are breathtaking and supplement the story beautifully. This is a fine piece of children’s literature. 

Healing Behind the Wheel: Navigating Trauma-Informed Traffic Safety by Janelle Marie

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is a master class in how to recover from trauma induced by a motor vehicle accident.  As the title suggests, the book advises an active approach re-exposing oneself to driving again as soon as possible after the traumatic accident. But readers aren’t left with only that vague advice; this book provides numerous, specific examples of therapeutic methods, lifestyle changes, and self-soothing techniques which are scientifically proven to be helpful in healing post-traumatic stress. 

For me, this was an emotional read. I have been in a physically and emotionally traumatic car accident, as have several of my family members. Numerous solutions suggested in this book were vital to my recovery and that of my loved ones. Some of my favorites were 4-7-8 breathing, exposure therapy, and establishing a safety check routine for each time I drive. I’m so thankful to the author for providing others who live with motor-vehicle-accident-induced trauma with an outlet that could help them live happier lives. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, Car accident

Death Row by Freida McFadden

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence

Nature's Mindset: Harnessing the Wisdom of Nature for a Stable and Fulfilling Life by Gourab Nanda

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

It can hardly be disputed that human beings are vastly different from one another in countless ways. However, this book argues that the one thing we all have in common is nature. Nature is defined as the sum total of all known and unknown forces within a given space-time. All natural phenomena are underpinned by certain principles, patterns, and intelligence, and this idea is referred to as the titular “nature’s mindset.” The book goes on to explain that this way of thinking can be divided into ten principles underlying three major pillars:  survival, evolution, and contribution. The book’s main argument is that if humanity would align themselves and their behavior with these principles, they would be immeasurably healthier, happier, and more successful. 

I have written quite the simplified overview of this book’s topic. Truthfully, it is one of the most thought-provoking works I have ever read, and its contents could easily be expanded into an undergraduate course at a liberal arts university. My favorite of the three pillars was “contribution.” It promotes an inherent, interspecies camaraderie:  “The oak tree doesn’t decide to share nutrients with surrounding plants through its root network—this sharing emerges naturally from its way of being.” My only complaint regarding this book was its dismissal of the good that classic philosophical discussion, organized religion, self-help books, and the like can contribute to the human condition. Many of these are, in fact, particularly adamant that concepts similar to the ones discussed in the “contribution” section are crucial for a successful society. However, I still greatly enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to readers and nature lovers alike. 

Star Cross Lovers by Elvo Fortunato Bucci

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Have your tissues ready when you read this book, because it is devastating. A young adult retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the beginning is deceptively cozy and comedic. Miriam and Dante, teenagers from the Italian village of Ortona, meet during a chance encounter and fall for each other quickly. A Jew and a Catholic, respectively, Miriam and Dante don’t mind their differences; in fact, each is fascinated by the other. But as World War II roars on, Italy more strongly establishes itself as an Axis power, and the violence of Hitler and Mussolini — along with the calculated persecution of Jewish people — arrives in usually peaceful Ortona. 

This book is, if possible, even more tragic than the original play. I think this is because it features much more realistic plot points (as opposed to Friar Lawrence’s famous sleeping potion), and because the young lovers are a few crucial years older. Don’t expect a happy ending at all, and do expect the theme to focus more on blaming war and the evil of the world in general than on the bad decisions of parents and how they affect children. Despite its terribly sad ending, as a fan of Shakespeare tragedies, I loved this book. The author clearly has a thorough knowledge of both World War II history and of Shakespeare’s works, and I am eager to read more of their work. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, War

Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence

Moderate: Sexual content