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indieandajean's reviews
439 reviews
Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Have you ever wished that Ryan Bergara was the tall glasses wearing one and that Shane Madej was a blue haired woman and that they fell in love with each other? Me neither.
But if it sounds like a fun romance premise to you: you can sit with us.
Honestly this book did all the things right for me as a cryptid lover and BuzzFeed Unsolved/ Watcher Ghost Files fan. The tropes present here were delightful, and the story of healing in this story was one I didn't know I needed.
The book honestly had me going back and forth between laughing, tearing up, and feeling that combination heart/stomach butterfly thing at all the spicy bits.
If you like hot romances where the characters move past trauma together while also providing lots of laughs and spicy moments this book is for you.
But if it sounds like a fun romance premise to you: you can sit with us.
Honestly this book did all the things right for me as a cryptid lover and BuzzFeed Unsolved/ Watcher Ghost Files fan. The tropes present here were delightful, and the story of healing in this story was one I didn't know I needed.
The book honestly had me going back and forth between laughing, tearing up, and feeling that combination heart/stomach butterfly thing at all the spicy bits.
If you like hot romances where the characters move past trauma together while also providing lots of laughs and spicy moments this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol
Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items by J.W. Ocker
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
A fun, quick read about cursed objects and the beliefs people have surrounding them. The book balances factual information about the provenance of the items, the theories people have about them, and interjects a good serving of humor throughout. I very much enjoyed this book!
Adventure Time #2 by Lucy Knisley, Ryan North, Zac Gorman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
A delightfully weird retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story.
Imagine Sleeping Beauty as a hero, a dying girl, a space princess, a best friend, a viking, or as the enchantress. Imagine her with agency. Imagine her defying her own story and trying to help others do the same.
That and more is what this book gives you.
Highly recommend this quick read to lovers of fairytale retellings.
Imagine Sleeping Beauty as a hero, a dying girl, a space princess, a best friend, a viking, or as the enchantress. Imagine her with agency. Imagine her defying her own story and trying to help others do the same.
That and more is what this book gives you.
Highly recommend this quick read to lovers of fairytale retellings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Terminal illness
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Excellently narrated, still a delightful read the second time!
The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
5/5 Stars for this second entry in the Tea Dragon series.
This book takes all of the best components of the first book in the series and adds in more components of the Tea Dragon lore, extends the universe, and shows us more of Hesekiel and Erik's backstory without taking away from the story of childhood friendship that is at the heart of the stories in the series.
Despite following some similar plot and theme beats from the previous book (young person entering the age for apprenticeship, someone who is missing memories after failing a task of great importance, the restoration of memory, etc.) the story still feels fresh, exciting, and different while maintaining the cozy feel the books excel at providing.
The illustrations are gorgeous, the characters are lovable, and the stakes are low which makes for a comforting and relaxed read.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cozy read, to children who love dragons and to those like me who wish that the world was just a little bit more magical.
This book takes all of the best components of the first book in the series and adds in more components of the Tea Dragon lore, extends the universe, and shows us more of Hesekiel and Erik's backstory without taking away from the story of childhood friendship that is at the heart of the stories in the series.
Despite following some similar plot and theme beats from the previous book (young person entering the age for apprenticeship, someone who is missing memories after failing a task of great importance, the restoration of memory, etc.) the story still feels fresh, exciting, and different while maintaining the cozy feel the books excel at providing.
The illustrations are gorgeous, the characters are lovable, and the stakes are low which makes for a comforting and relaxed read.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cozy read, to children who love dragons and to those like me who wish that the world was just a little bit more magical.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4/5 Stars
Princess Floralinda turns the princess in a tower tale on its head in the best possible way. I always love a story about women rescuing themselves.
The book does a great job tackling concepts surrounding gender expression and gender roles, as well as demonstrating that people can change in the act of survival. Floralinda's change from a goody-two-shoes princess in distress to a morally grey warrior woman was particularly enjoyable to read. The grittier she got, the more I enjoyed her character.
There were a few moments where the scenes dragged for me pacing wise, particularly as most of the book's pacing was quick, but otherwise it was paced well and it was a quick read for certain.
The ending earned a laugh from me, and I loved the final forms of all the involved characters.
Overall I'd recommend this to anyone who grew up reading fairytales and is or was waiting on their prince to come. Don't wait for him, just pick up the sword yourself instead.
Princess Floralinda turns the princess in a tower tale on its head in the best possible way. I always love a story about women rescuing themselves.
The book does a great job tackling concepts surrounding gender expression and gender roles, as well as demonstrating that people can change in the act of survival. Floralinda's change from a goody-two-shoes princess in distress to a morally grey warrior woman was particularly enjoyable to read. The grittier she got, the more I enjoyed her character.
There were a few moments where the scenes dragged for me pacing wise, particularly as most of the book's pacing was quick, but otherwise it was paced well and it was a quick read for certain.
The ending earned a laugh from me, and I loved the final forms of all the involved characters.
Overall I'd recommend this to anyone who grew up reading fairytales and is or was waiting on their prince to come. Don't wait for him, just pick up the sword yourself instead.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
3/5 Stars for a fun, quick, Pratchett-esque reflection on books and reading for children narrated by the book itself.
I enjoyed The Book That No One Wanted to Read, the characters were fun, the story was quick, and generally speaking it was enjoyable and humorous. There were parts I enjoyed, including the accurate explanation of what happens in book recycling, though I think that it might scar some book loving children.
Unfortunately I also found it a bit meandering, particularly for its intended audience and I felt that the core of the story, the child speaking with the book, was treated almost like an afterthought. There needed to be a better balance between action and exposition, even with the book being as short as it is. Additionally, I really think that we're past the need for shushing librarians in children's books. It's not realistic and it's not encouraging children to look at libraries as spaces they belong is.
Overall this book is a good way to start speaking with children about why books get written, published, and why they do or don't succeed. I don't think that this is the sort of book that most children would pick up for fun, but I think it would be a good classroom read or discussion starter for children interested in writing.
I enjoyed The Book That No One Wanted to Read, the characters were fun, the story was quick, and generally speaking it was enjoyable and humorous. There were parts I enjoyed, including the accurate explanation of what happens in book recycling, though I think that it might scar some book loving children.
Unfortunately I also found it a bit meandering, particularly for its intended audience and I felt that the core of the story, the child speaking with the book, was treated almost like an afterthought. There needed to be a better balance between action and exposition, even with the book being as short as it is. Additionally, I really think that we're past the need for shushing librarians in children's books. It's not realistic and it's not encouraging children to look at libraries as spaces they belong is.
Overall this book is a good way to start speaking with children about why books get written, published, and why they do or don't succeed. I don't think that this is the sort of book that most children would pick up for fun, but I think it would be a good classroom read or discussion starter for children interested in writing.
The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by Mo Netz
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5/5 Stars for this beautiful middle grade debut about overcoming obstacles, being brave, and having the willingness to try again.
I loved how this book blended a variety of folklore to create its monsters, and how real the lovable characters fighting them felt to me as a reader. Oftentimes when reading middle grade books, I find that the characters feel more archetypal than they feel realistic, but this cast was diverse, nuanced, and reminded me of people that I have known in my life. Similarly books for middle grade readers have a tendency to get heavy handed with the directness that the prose provides the theme to the reader (which makes sense given that these books are part of a child's path toward comprehending more complex texts as they age) but here I felt that the author had a good sense of balance between directness and allowing the reader to come to understand the themes of the story through the plot.
The action was enjoyable, the universe was interesting, and overall this is a great spooky read. I would recommend this book for children who enjoy books like What Stays Buried, The Otherwoods, The Agony House, and general spooky stories.
I would also recommend this book for its diversity as it hits on many topics of disability, family types, race, gender expression, and religion in a way that is digestible for children. It would be a great addition to any library, classroom, or child's bookshelf.
I loved how this book blended a variety of folklore to create its monsters, and how real the lovable characters fighting them felt to me as a reader. Oftentimes when reading middle grade books, I find that the characters feel more archetypal than they feel realistic, but this cast was diverse, nuanced, and reminded me of people that I have known in my life. Similarly books for middle grade readers have a tendency to get heavy handed with the directness that the prose provides the theme to the reader (which makes sense given that these books are part of a child's path toward comprehending more complex texts as they age) but here I felt that the author had a good sense of balance between directness and allowing the reader to come to understand the themes of the story through the plot.
The action was enjoyable, the universe was interesting, and overall this is a great spooky read. I would recommend this book for children who enjoy books like What Stays Buried, The Otherwoods, The Agony House, and general spooky stories.
I would also recommend this book for its diversity as it hits on many topics of disability, family types, race, gender expression, and religion in a way that is digestible for children. It would be a great addition to any library, classroom, or child's bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism