honeybearsum's reviews
8 reviews

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-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

3.5

I'm a committed Mary H.K. Choi reader at this point and already looking forward to her next novel (fingers crossed it's soon). She's an extremely contemporary-style author, but she avoids the cliché I feel far too often in modern YA fiction, and I love her for it. 
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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

Sequels are hard to do, but Chambers did it perfectly. I found this book arguably more warming than the first, especially towards the end, which is a near-impossible feat in and of itself. I need endless Chambers novels. 
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

One of the most comforting books I've ever read, hands down. Becky Chambers is a master with words and a warm hug of comfort in her writing. 
Bad Dreams and Other Stories by Tessa Hadley

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The allure of Smith's writing style is irresistible. I was depressed for a week while reading it, but I couldn't stop. It's a hard read emotionally, for sure; nonetheless, it's a worthwhile reflection on the complexity of relationships, and thinking about who you should let go, who you should hold onto, and what you may be doing wrong yourself. As the title very bluntly indicates, it's about beauty, and how that word is not so easily defined. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Map for the Missing by Belinda Huijuan Tang

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emotional reflective 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

Tang writes beautifully and pulls off seamless transitions between chapters set in different time periods. It was a painful read, but important. 
Begin Again by Emma Lord

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

0.5

I found the novel to be extremely clichéd and to undermine the significance of certain events that, in reality, would probably be considered far more serious while overemphasizing plot points that didn't feel as important as they were made out to be. I appreciate what Emma Lord was going for, but I couldn't connect with the characters, as they didn't feel real. 
Bobcat & Other Stories by Rebecca Lee

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Lee's stories intimately reflect on the pain and intricacies of relationships and personal morality. Fascinating and gorgeously written. 
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