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janae's reviews
386 reviews
Jawbone by Mónica Ojeda
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Hmmmm as a horror newbie it's hard for me to know how to judge. For writing I give it 5 stars, and a solid 4 stars for story. For the horror element it was definitely unsettling. A lot of talk about teenage sexuality and genitals, very unsettling and uncomfortable So for horror I would give it a 3-4, I def had the heebeejeebies.
Overall, I recommend this to any woman/woman aligned or perceived person who has been in a toxic ass friendship with another woman, especially as a teenager. That shit was a little too relatable! Also all the horror around the mother-daughter relationship made me want to nevvver have a kid.
Overall, I recommend this to any woman/woman aligned or perceived person who has been in a toxic ass friendship with another woman, especially as a teenager. That shit was a little too relatable! Also all the horror around the mother-daughter relationship made me want to nevvver have a kid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Gun violence and Bullying
The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-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
I absolutely CANNOT give this less than five stars. I was absolutely sucked into a different world from the very first page. This book is slow, like thick grits, you can't just suck it all down. You have to take your time. I would re-read every paragraph two or three times, not even intentionally. Just out of pure reflex. Sometimes I didn't understand, but other times I just needed to take it in a few times.
For a lover of black queer fantasy, this was rain on dry soil.
The ending left me devastated and sad, but I can't say unsatisfied. Just full of emotions.
I recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy, black books, lovable characters, complex relationships, queerness, magic, and gods.
For a lover of black queer fantasy, this was rain on dry soil.
The ending left me devastated and sad, but I can't say unsatisfied. Just full of emotions.
I recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy, black books, lovable characters, complex relationships, queerness, magic, and gods.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
I loved this story! The whimsical fluffy fantasy set in modern times, the adorable queer romance, and the main character growing into who she truly is and wants to be. I also loved the magic system, the magical trials, and the sweet relationships the characters had. The writing was poetic and sweet, with only a few missteps that are barely noticeable. The only reason this isn’t a five for me is because my enjoyment didn’t quite reach the level I normally require. But overall it was wonderful and I recommend to fans of romance, light fantasy, and cozy vibes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
4.5
A lovely story! It really hit me emotionally towards the end. It’s beautiful to see someone write to their teenaged self and see that hurting kids come out on the other side. Beautiful!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Library hold was expiring, started a new hold!
It's kind of a funny story by sawah_draws
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I can’t give this less than a five for enjoyment. I can’t wait for this series to continue, it’s so amazing! I love the characters, the realistic development of personalities and relationship dynamics. The art style is so simple and pleasing, with gorgeous smooth colors. I love it.
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
About halfway through this book I was certain it was going to be a 3, but the last fifty percent bumped it up a notch. While the beginning is intriguing there’s a pattern of mysteries revealed and then solved within moments, making it feel like there’s no tension or build up.
However, the second half of the book makes up for that in spades as we build up to the promised deletions. It’s interesting and definitely satisfying, although I will say the “shock value” of one of the nursery was, in my opinion, based on played out homophobic tropes. Sure, this is all set in the fifties so it’s plenty realistic but I don’t know that that makes it right.
I found that I was rarely truly surprised by events that happened, although before reading the page I couldn’t have guessed. I think that means the mystery was well built so that few things came out of left field while still being interesting. The biggest surprise for me was the “postscript” ending.
As for the characters, I found them lovable but shallow. Not at by any means, just lacking depth of character. I think that works for this book because the whole thing is filled with jokes and puns and a sense of levity, so very deep characters might have been out of place.
Regarding diversity, I marked it’s complicated because while there is a main character of color, and some diverse side characters overall the book is very white centric. Which is fine but there was just enough lack that I couldn’t honestly mark it as diverse.
Finally, I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants a light, fun, campy mystery. This is for lovers of puns and slapstick. If you don’t like dramatic, self aware humor based narration then this won’t be for you.
However, the second half of the book makes up for that in spades as we build up to the promised deletions. It’s interesting and definitely satisfying, although I will say the “shock value” of one of the nursery was, in my opinion, based on played out homophobic tropes. Sure, this is all set in the fifties so it’s plenty realistic but I don’t know that that makes it right.
I found that I was rarely truly surprised by events that happened, although before reading the page I couldn’t have guessed. I think that means the mystery was well built so that few things came out of left field while still being interesting. The biggest surprise for me was the “postscript” ending.
As for the characters, I found them lovable but shallow. Not at by any means, just lacking depth of character. I think that works for this book because the whole thing is filled with jokes and puns and a sense of levity, so very deep characters might have been out of place.
Regarding diversity, I marked it’s complicated because while there is a main character of color, and some diverse side characters overall the book is very white centric. Which is fine but there was just enough lack that I couldn’t honestly mark it as diverse.
Finally, I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants a light, fun, campy mystery. This is for lovers of puns and slapstick. If you don’t like dramatic, self aware humor based narration then this won’t be for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Murder
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
Overdue at library :( but I wil try to read this again someday