hickorynut's reviews
287 reviews

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang

emotional hopeful 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

4.25

This was a lovely story about a community of different Asian-Americans, lead by the perspective of a teenager named Valentina. She was raised by her father and this focuses on the way their relationship becomes strained and difficult as she ages and begins questioning everything her father has told her. It  follows as Valentina struggles to find her place in her family and unravel the past, manages complicated relationships with peers, finds and develop a new passion for lion dancing, grapples with her identity as an assimilated Vietnamese American, and finds herself haunted by a specter of St Valentine that encourages her to give up her ability to love to protect herself from loss.

As an assimilated Asian American reader, this spoke to me in many ways. I loved how various cultures were brought together - Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean - and adored the abundance of diverse characters. The addition of the ghostly specter of St Valentine, who once appeared as a Cupid-like angel imaginary friend when she was younger, added a welcome touch of magical realism. Overall a beautifully written and illustrated story.

Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher

adventurous 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

3.5

While this story was originally difficult for me to lose myself in, the characters did grow on me over time. I would love an entire novel dedicated to Sings-to-Trees and his adventures as a rehabilitator for all creatures. The goblins were amusing and had interestingly developed behaviors and mannerisms. This was a book that felt longer than it was, but overall ended enjoyable.

Wave by Diana Farid

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

A beautiful somber story about an Iranian American girl named Ava who is navigating life as middle school graduation approaches. She struggles with her divorced parents and feeling unwanted, insults and racist remarks from some of her peers, being forced to volunteer at the hospital where her mother works, and navigating friendships, most of all with her best friend Phoenix. They grew up together, sharing family gatherings, swimming and surfing, singing, and having an abundance of nostalgic memories together. But Phoenix's once-in-remission cancer returns, and Ava must desperately grasp for the most important parts of her life.

The Moth Girl by Heather Kamins

emotional reflective 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

4.0

A magical realism depiction of what it's like to be diagnosed with a rare chronic illness during high school. Anna begins having issues with floating, and is diagnosed with a gravitational disorder. She has a variety of symptoms that mirror moths and butterflies - sensitivity to light yet being drawn to it, scaly skin, floating, cravings for sugar, etc. This follows as she experiences her first symptoms and major episode, is diagnosed, begins medication and weekly clinic visits, tries to manage her high school social life and relationships with her parents, and begins to process the new realities of her life.

The parallels to non-magical chronic illness were well done, showing the depth of pain, fatigue, and isolation. Many social structures were explored - indifferent doctors, clueless peers, worried friends, support groups, manipulation, etc. 

The Cat with Three Passports by C.J. Fentiman

reflective medium-paced

2.5

The first half of this book was a difficult read due to the way the author had originally approached traveling to new countries with judgement, presumption, and colonized viewpoints. She often described cultural or personal details with degrading words, like calling spoken Mandarin bizarre or describing body types unkindly. And though this book was about her growth and learning to be more open minded, overall it was not balanced enough to achieve that well. It was often emotionless up until the final few chapters, during which she suddenly becomes very aware of how much she loves and is losing. I struggled with some of their decisions and the ways they viewed other people, cultures, and animals. Ultimately it would have taken a very endearing, deep relationship with her cat to make this book anywhere close to what I had expected, but that just did not come through well at all.

The New Camelot by Robyn Schneider

adventurous funny 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

4.5

A fun and adventurous finale to this trilogy. This is the most serious of the three as the kingdom is at war, and Arthur and his companions are fighting in the ground amidst the gorey reality of battle. It is this that gives them such empathy for their soldiers and leads them to make the most ethical decisions for their entire communities, a strong theme that this generation brings as they rise through the whole series. Though these are witty, sarcastic, and rash young adults, they are determined to take over outdated traditions and create their own new future together.

There were a few moments in this book that felt a bit confusing as if they were overlooked by an editor (like Father Merlin having a shirtless conversation with Emrys, then putting on his shirt, and then reluctantly pulling his sleeves up to show her his visibly marred skin that she somehow didn't see while he was shirtless before?). But overall I found most of the plotlines and necessary details came together very well with satisfying conclusions and very few unanswered cliffhangers. There was a moment at the end that felt as if it was leading to set up an additional series, but instead it was nicely quickly wrapped up. Though I would enjoy spending more time with these characters, I do also think it ended in a very good place. I'll be able to reach for these and reread them knowing there are three tidy and satisfying parts that come to the creation of a better world.

Illuminations by T. Kingfisher

adventurous mysterious 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

4.25

I really enjoyed the misfit family known as the Mandolinis, a family of artists who paint illuminations, or pieces of artwork embedded with spell work. Each family member had a unique and diverse personalities with intriguing backgrounds. Rosa is the youngest, and finds herself drawn to an old illumination that ends up releasing a cursed creature upon her family. They come together to help save their own business and family, finding a new way to work together and allow their power and family to flourish.

The Future King by Robyn Schneider

adventurous funny hopeful 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

A perfect companion to the first book, equally as balanced by humor and young wit as well as it was by intrigue and engaging social structures. Court dramas can be a bit of a slog for me but this series has been delightful to read with memorable characters and plot lines that are easy to follow, a little predictable, but overall satisfying with how all the pieces come together.

This book focuses on life in Camelot as Arthur, Emrys, Emmett, and Guinevere all work together while trying to evade King Uther's forced marriage arrangement for Arthur and Guin. Arthur is recognizing how his ascension to the throne may be impending and that he must develop the skills to rise to the occasion. Emrys unlocks a deeper form of magic that she is desperate to learn how to control. Emmett struggles to find his place as the lesser apprentice wizard and ends up blundering into many dangerous situations. Guinevere is bored and anxious of her future, acting out while she still has time. The cast of side characters remained wonderful - Lancelot, now a squire, and his beloved. A group of guards and squires loyal to Arthur becoming his new knights. The return of the maid Marion who develops a friendship with Guinevere. A new gender neutral knight referred to with they/them pronouns. And various plots that tangle all of them into complicated yet easy to understand enemies, lovers, friends, and mentors.

The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider

adventurous funny 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

The famous wizard Merlin has two twin children, Emmett and Emrys. He trains Emmett in magical education but refuses to train Emrys, who learns on her own. After his death, Emmett is summoned to become the new apprentice wizard at the court of Camelot to advise and assist the future king, Arthur, who has recently managed to pull the sword from the stone. Emmett is unfit for the position and so his sister goes in his place, pretending to be him. This follows Emry's journey as she settles into life in court and keeps daily company with Arthur and his best friend and guard, Lancelot. They travel to Avalon where Emrys learns more about her father and his disappearance, and Arthur comes away with the revered magical sword Excalibur. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how well written this was and how the humor, diverse relationships, and intriguing characters all captured my attention and made me want to keep reading. I typically find court-based books difficult to truly lose myself in and enjoy but the lighthearted wit and banter was such a strong presence that it balanced the court drama and politics. It reminded me a bit of F T Lukens' books where the young adults are under no illusions about the flaws of their elder monarchs and their beliefs about gender, sexuality, marriage, familial duties, and political systems. The rising generation feels unequipped to handle the duties ahead of them until they realize that they will have the authority to change things, and thus they find confidence in their ability to rule with new ideas and open minds for the benefit of their people.

Overall I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to continuing the adventures in the sequel.

The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly

hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

A sweet story about Nina, a thirteen year old who finds herself drawn to birdwatching. She goes to spend the summer at her aunt's outdoor camp, making a group of friends called the oddballs. And during an evening outing, Nina spots and identifies a whooping crane in the marsh, realizing that their presence in her area is an anomaly. The story follows as she and her friends monitor the crane and work with conservation specialists, helping Nina find her own way in the world. It also draws in the main character from Song for a Whale, Iris. 

Overall it was a decent read but I wasn't as enthralled as I was with Song for a Whale. This book was more lighthearted and about young friendships and community, while the other delved into some more complex topics. It was still a lovely read but I wish there had been a bit more to it.