jayeless's reviews
338 reviews

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved this book! I'm such a sucker for the character archetype that "the Dragon" represents, kind of harsh and menacing but ultimately on the side of good. I really enjoyed the dynamic between him and Agnieszka, the protagonist, where she's initially his prisoner but a sexual tension develops as she learns magic and the two learn to cast it in harmony with each other. The main storyline, involving court intrigue and the struggle against the advancing Wood, was good too (and I appreciated that this was NOT a "feudalism was great, actually" fantasy book) but it was really that scintillating relationship that kept me engaged.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and War

Moderate: Rape and Sexism

The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson

adventurous slow-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? No

3.5

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Police brutality

Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

dark mysterious medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Hate crime

Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Trafficking

There is a sexual relationship between an adult man and a 53-year-old vampire who LOOKS like a prepubescent girl.

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

adventurous challenging reflective slow-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

The Sleep Room by F.R. Tallis

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Gore, Sexual assault, and Excrement

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0