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hayleyjames24's reviews
329 reviews
Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
LOVED this, the most beautifully illustrated cozy fantasy graphic novel.
The illustration style is so beautifully done and all the colours are so pleasing to the eye.
The characters are funny and adorable (Nimm the MC's cat is EVERYTHING!) but also speak too some real topics like found family, anxiety and lonliness.
Can't wait to read the next one, I devoured this.
The illustration style is so beautifully done and all the colours are so pleasing to the eye.
The characters are funny and adorable (Nimm the MC's cat is EVERYTHING!) but also speak too some real topics like found family, anxiety and lonliness.
Can't wait to read the next one, I devoured this.
M Train by Patti Smith
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Really really enjoyed this. Didn’t know anything about Patti Smith other than people LOVE her writing but I got easily swept away by this, will definitely read more and listen to her music!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Still holds up man. So good.
With the announcement of the newest book I’m officially back in my hunger games era
With the announcement of the newest book I’m officially back in my hunger games era
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this and did get a little spooked a few times reading this before bed but I really wanted more out of it.
The setting was super atmospheric and eerie and I loved the concept I just don't know if it was executed as well as it couldve. They definitely had me when they blurbed it as a mix of Midsommar and Blair Witch Project (I loved Midsommar but feel like the only actual comparison isit is in Sweden and they stone a disabled person to death?
It kept me entertained enough that I didn't DNF it and I kept wanting to pick it up so that definitely counts for something.
I wish it was more thrilling and the characters were more likable.
The setting was super atmospheric and eerie and I loved the concept I just don't know if it was executed as well as it couldve. They definitely had me when they blurbed it as a mix of Midsommar and Blair Witch Project (I loved Midsommar but feel like the only actual comparison is
It kept me entertained enough that I didn't DNF it and I kept wanting to pick it up so that definitely counts for something.
I wish it was more thrilling and the characters were more likable.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
I just couldn’t get behind this, it was slow and I got sick of his moaning quite early on hahah. I might come back to it but I was in a reading slump and it definitely didn’t help with that.
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this! I picked it up because I like to read as many YA books as I can as I work in a high school library and this is one of my faves I’ve read this year.
The writing was very 2005 (as in lots of talk about being fat and weight when the character is literally a size 10 haha) but I can absolutely forgive the cringe because the story that it told and the themes that it delved into were so special. I feel like I actually learnt a lot but in a fun and silly way.
Themes: identity, friendship, relationships with parents, that end of school panic about what you’re gonna do with your life and how are you gonna live up to your parents expectations and self confidence
I loved how I depth it talked about Ramadan, the Muslim experience in Australia (I know this is only one characters perspective) immigration, wearing hijab. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Amal gain confidence and clarity in her decision to wear hijab full time and loved being in her mind when she was contemplating her decisions
I thought all of the characters were really fleshed out and I could see all of them clearly in my minds eye, this book kinda gave me the vibes of Jacqueline Wilson’s “Girls” series with the topics that were handled like boys, makeup, staying out late, eating disorders/weight issues, peer pressure but with a bunch of Muslim girls which was fun.
Loved Amals parents! They were super cute, and Leila’s storyline was very touching. Amals storyline with her next door neighbour was very sweet too, loved her realisations in this space that everybody had a story.
Think this would be a great fit for a school library who wants to diversify their shelves a tad. But because of the classic 2005 writing style (very cosmo, girlfriend magazine) I would say watch out for the writing feeling a tad behind the times.
The writing was very 2005 (as in lots of talk about being fat and weight when the character is literally a size 10 haha) but I can absolutely forgive the cringe because the story that it told and the themes that it delved into were so special. I feel like I actually learnt a lot but in a fun and silly way.
Themes: identity, friendship, relationships with parents, that end of school panic about what you’re gonna do with your life and how are you gonna live up to your parents expectations and self confidence
I loved how I depth it talked about Ramadan, the Muslim experience in Australia (I know this is only one characters perspective) immigration, wearing hijab. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Amal gain confidence and clarity in her decision to wear hijab full time and loved being in her mind when she was contemplating her decisions
I thought all of the characters were really fleshed out and I could see all of them clearly in my minds eye, this book kinda gave me the vibes of Jacqueline Wilson’s “Girls” series with the topics that were handled like boys, makeup, staying out late, eating disorders/weight issues, peer pressure but with a bunch of Muslim girls which was fun.
Loved Amals parents! They were super cute, and Leila’s storyline was very touching. Amals storyline with her next door neighbour was very sweet too, loved her realisations in this space that everybody had a story.
Think this would be a great fit for a school library who wants to diversify their shelves a tad. But because of the classic 2005 writing style (very cosmo, girlfriend magazine) I would say watch out for the writing feeling a tad behind the times.
Butcherbird by Cassie Hart
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Always always always happy to read a kiwi author, something so special about it!
This book was so atmospheric, and I loved the setting. Cassie did such a great job of creating mystery and uncertainty.
I liked the dual POV, I think it was a great way to really dig deeper into the story than you could’ve with only one, although I was VERY suspicious of Will until a good way through the book. Cassie had a great way of making you uncertain and suspicious of all the characters in the book.
Thought Jena’s boyfriend Cade was a dickhead throughout but Cassie really did make him come to life and it was a real accurate representation of the douchey boyfriend.
I’m quite new to the horror genre but think this could be quite a good starting point for others because it’s a thriller with a touch of gore/horror imo. Nothing major in terms of gore though.
Overall, enjoyed it and would probably recommend to someone looking for an easy, unsettling and mysterious read.
This book was so atmospheric, and I loved the setting. Cassie did such a great job of creating mystery and uncertainty.
I liked the dual POV, I think it was a great way to really dig deeper into the story than you could’ve with only one, although I was VERY suspicious of Will until a good way through the book. Cassie had a great way of making you uncertain and suspicious of all the characters in the book.
Thought Jena’s boyfriend Cade was a dickhead throughout but Cassie really did make him come to life and it was a real accurate representation of the douchey boyfriend.
I’m quite new to the horror genre but think this could be quite a good starting point for others because it’s a thriller with a touch of gore/horror imo. Nothing major in terms of gore though.
Overall, enjoyed it and would probably recommend to someone looking for an easy, unsettling and mysterious read.
Unplugged and Unpopular, Volume 1 by Mat Heagerty
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.0
Really enjoyed this quick read! Needed something to get me out of a slump so I’m turning to graphic novels.
Loved Grandma as a character - what a badass. And especially loved that the library was a big part of the reason they were able to come together as a community to save the day!
It has some great musings on technology, being popular, and tech addiction but with a fun alien twist so it never felt like it was preaching to you! Really really really loved the tips to unplug at the end, but also mention that you can’t unplug all the time.
Not entirely the biggest fan of the art style, think it reminded me a bit too much of Saturday cartoons?? I like something a little more refined (???) but the colour schemes were fun, and the fluffy aliens were super cute hehe.
I think it’s got a great heart and the year 9s/10s at our school library (which this copy I read was bought for) will eat this up!
There were a few times I laughed out loud which is always great. Will defs read the sequel when/if we get it for the school library. Almost missed the end page that moved us to the next book haha!
Loved Grandma as a character - what a badass. And especially loved that the library was a big part of the reason they were able to come together as a community to save the day!
It has some great musings on technology, being popular, and tech addiction but with a fun alien twist so it never felt like it was preaching to you! Really really really loved the tips to unplug at the end, but also mention that you can’t unplug all the time.
Not entirely the biggest fan of the art style, think it reminded me a bit too much of Saturday cartoons?? I like something a little more refined (???) but the colour schemes were fun, and the fluffy aliens were super cute hehe.
I think it’s got a great heart and the year 9s/10s at our school library (which this copy I read was bought for) will eat this up!
There were a few times I laughed out loud which is always great. Will defs read the sequel when/if we get it for the school library. Almost missed the end page that moved us to the next book haha!
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
I really really enjoyed this, surprisingly it did not feel like a 500+ page book while I was reading it.
It dove into some really really deep topics and themes: grief, friendship, loss, the nature of school politics and the power of the elite. I would recomend checking out the trigger warnings before reading but I found that despite being heavy and quite extensive they were done with so much love and care and definitely werent graphic. It was more so the mystery behind the actions and the thrill of seeing whether justice would be served that carried these themes rather than giving us deets on what actually happened. It was great to see these teenagers try to tear down systems and break the status quo. Even if they weren't quite able to really do it it's such an important topic for Young Adults to be reading (and very realistic)
I enjoyed the dark academia side of the story as well and I think the setting was perfect.
I also really enjoyed that they did normal things like actually going to class hahaha, especially because it's set in a prestigious school and Sade has a scholarship.
I loved Baz!! He was such a great friend and seemed to be such a well rounded character. I wish Sade was slightly less mysterious and we got to know her a little better but the reason she was so mysterious was the main plot point lol.
Persephone was also a very interesting character and I loved the way her and Sade's relationship blossomed.
I did like that it didn't necessarily end with it all being tied in a pretty bow (though good things do come out of it) because in real life these situations don't have an easy answer or finish.
Will definitely pick up Ace of Spades at some point.
It dove into some really really deep topics and themes: grief, friendship, loss, the nature of school politics and the power of the elite. I would recomend checking out the trigger warnings before reading but I found that despite being heavy and quite extensive they were done with so much love and care and definitely werent graphic. It was more so the mystery behind the actions and the thrill of seeing whether justice would be served that carried these themes rather than giving us deets on what actually happened. It was great to see these teenagers try to tear down systems and break the status quo. Even if they weren't quite able to really do it it's such an important topic for Young Adults to be reading (and very realistic)
I enjoyed the dark academia side of the story as well and I think the setting was perfect.
I also really enjoyed that they did normal things like actually going to class hahaha, especially because it's set in a prestigious school and Sade has a scholarship.
I loved Baz!! He was such a great friend and seemed to be such a well rounded character. I wish Sade was slightly less mysterious and we got to know her a little better but the reason she was so mysterious was the main plot point lol.
Persephone was also a very interesting character and I loved the way her and Sade's relationship blossomed.
I did like that it didn't necessarily end with it all being tied in a pretty bow (though good things do come out of it) because in real life these situations don't have an easy answer or finish.
Will definitely pick up Ace of Spades at some point.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, and Suicide
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Really wish I liked this book just a little bit more.
I finished it and just closed it and went on my phone hahah, it won’t stay with me.
I did like most of the characters and thought they were well fleshed out, each with their own problems and desires (even if those desires and problems were a bit annoying) Slick was probably my fave and I did really enjoy James Harris. The writing was super easy to read and raced by for me but felt like it spent a lot of time dithering in the middle - dunno if 400 pages was necessary to tell the story. It was very obvious what was happening a short while into the book and then you were just waiting around for someone to believe this housewife.
There was a fair bit of racism and sexism in here as well. Check some trigger warnings.
It got gory and kinda body horror-y at the end and I did like that it wrapped up the way it did. Probably won’t pick up this authors books again.
I finished it and just closed it and went on my phone hahah, it won’t stay with me.
I did like most of the characters and thought they were well fleshed out, each with their own problems and desires (even if those desires and problems were a bit annoying) Slick was probably my fave and I did really enjoy James Harris. The writing was super easy to read and raced by for me but felt like it spent a lot of time dithering in the middle - dunno if 400 pages was necessary to tell the story. It was very obvious what was happening a short while into the book and then you were just waiting around for someone to believe this housewife.
There was a fair bit of racism and sexism in here as well. Check some trigger warnings.
It got gory and kinda body horror-y at the end and I did like that it wrapped up the way it did. Probably won’t pick up this authors books again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse