jomerl's reviews
157 reviews

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

The Wives by Simone Gorrindo

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Simone does a wonderful job of honestly retelling the military wife experience in an exceptionally well written memoir. 

As a military wife, I often find military community-oriented books nauseatingly patriotic and attempts at identifying oneself as American heroes. Instead, Simone acknowledges our lifestyle, sacrifices and challenges in a matter-of-fact way that is insightful and fresh. 

Thank you, Simone, from one of The Wives you haven’t met. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War

Rich Dad Poor Dad: 20th Anniversary Edition: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki

informative slow-paced

1.5

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.5

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and War

Minor: Rape

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

4.5

This is a life-changing book. One that I will remember forever. 

However, I had a hard time with the lack of racial diversity or even acknowledgement in the book. It touches on the LGBTQIA+ community beautifully, but there is no mention of any other intersectionality. I believe it would be even more special by representing more women - understanding it is set in the 1950s-1960s in Wisconsin. 

Some of the parts dragged on for some time, while other important pieces were skimmed over, but this is truly a magical book. I’ve never cried over a dragon before. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Sexism, and Death of parent

Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones

funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Abortion

Lightlark by Alex Aster

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-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

3.0

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

2.0

Edited now that I have read Red Queen. The blatant plagiarism is insane. There is not a single original piece of dialogue in here. 

THE ENDING. I really have to stop falling in love with first books in unfinished series because I am going to be beside myself until I can complete this trilogy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence