jiji_'s reviews
282 reviews

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Pulling the Chariot of the Sun by Shane McCrae

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

This duology is a HIDDEN GEM!! I finished both books a week ago, and I'm still missing the characters. The world building and magic and caste systems, the characters relationships, it's all so good. I'm also a huge fan of Margaret Owen's other writing - this is definitely darker than Little Thieves but has the same eat marks of her writing style. Go in blind and follow the weird journey!!! 
Bunny by Mona Awad

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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

5.0

For me, this is a perfect horror book. I read this in a single 24 Hour period - 336 pages!! A record! - as I just could not put it down. Whenever I had to, it followed me. It's hilarious, terrifying, full of dread and horror and genuine laugh out loud, hysterical bits. I long for horror novels that genuinely instill fear in me, and this one nails it. NAILS IT. perfect. 10 out of 10. Utterly horrible and wonderful. Creepy, original, and not to be missed. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

Wow, wow... I'm a weeping mess. I could read this over and over and over. What a treasure of a book. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Go to review page

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

4.0

This was such a fun, sweet read. The characters are loveable, and the mystery is a fun one to work out alongside the lead. If you saw the movie, definitely read the book. It fleshes out the characters a lot more, and the film kept the vibe of the book in tact. It definitely made me feel relieved to not be a closeted queer kid in a rural high school again, and you'll want to wrap all of the lovable misfits into a big hug. I'd recommend for anyone teen or adult that has come out, had a family member come out, or anyone who wants a closer inside look at this painful and life changing process of becoming who you truly are, without shame. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was beyond my expectations. I picked it up for a kind of horror-lite bath-tub read to read in a day. This is not that! La Sala's writing is truly beautiful and transports you to the narrators world from the first bizarre and violent opening scene. Mars, the lead, is openly gender fluid and yet doesn't fit the cliche of meek and bullied "wuss." They stand up for themselves, are athletic and adventurous, and they have a bit of a sassy mouth. I loved Mars and was with them on every step of these creeping mystery. Some parts of it had me SHOOK and near gagging. Some real WTF moments. The true horror doesn't begin until closer to the end, but the mystery is enough to keep this page-turner moving!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I wish this had been a duology! De Bodard starts building a world that yearns to be fully fleshed out. While some of the pacing is a bit confusing, the intrigue and the story are very unique. The character of Rice Fish, a sentient ship, (and truly the entire idea around and execution of this idea) is superb. She's lovable and charming, complex and flawed. The second lead was a bit flat to me, but the overall uniqueness of the world and characters makes up for its small flaws. The Vietnamese inspirations are beautifully worked in. There are strong female leads you really root for and a world I wanted to learn much more about.