jolynne's reviews
577 reviews

Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hula, a spiritual, deep, emotional way of life. Not the touristy dance we all think of. What a wonderful novel focused on women, mothers, and family. This novel that  spans years and generations gives you a glimpse into the true history, politics, and culture of Hawaii. The colonization, the crooked annexation and a way of life of a people fighting and struggling to keep what is theirs. 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

mysterious

• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

I like a book where the beginning circles back. Speculative fiction, science fiction and time travel made for a good read. I preferred this book to Station Eleven.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

adventurous slow-paced

3.5

Mexican folklore meets science fiction in this very young adult novel. 

The cover pulled me in.

Down from the Mountain: The Life and Death of a Grizzly Bear by Bryce Andrews

adventurous informative sad slow-paced

4.0

A bit boring learning about electric fences but still a great lesson in grizzly management. It’s sad that there has to be a management but as usual, mankind has made its mark on the natural earth and it’s inhabitants.

Midnight Storm Moonless Sky: Indigenous Horror Stories by Alex Soop

mysterious medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A very good set of stories ranging from that ghost at the end of a long lonely highway to a pedophile priest getting their just deserts and vampires.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging informative

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

5.0

This story talks about appropriation, racism both subtle and bold, greed, privilege set in and around the world of publishing.

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

I liked the way the author circled back the ending to the beginning.  This was a very different look at humanity, scary and intense.

A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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? No

5.0

Women overcoming generational trauma through the love and sacrifices of their ancestors and their power as indigenous women.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle

adventurous informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I’m not into westerns via any media but this one, wow. This book is about women, mostly women of color. They are the hero’s of this tale.

Good Kings Bad Kings by Susan Nussbaum

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A work of fiction that could very well be true.  You meet many characters that are part of this institution for disabled youth. You get to know many awesome human beings but along with that also comes the lowest of the low who are allowed to do what they do because generally these institutions are set up to be profit makers.