jshawreads's reviews
578 reviews

This Pact Is Not Ours by Zachary Sergi

adventurous dark mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Redsight by Meredith Mooring

Due to the well publicised issues regarding comments made by this author, I will state I received a review copy and read this book before this was common knowledge, and as such I will not be reviwing or rating this boom.

Our Black Hearts Beat As One by Brian Asman

challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.0

Chasing The Alpha's Son by Penny Jessup

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

5.0

DallerGut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

4.0

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

Following three generations of a family from Iran, experiencing the culture shock of a gay teen travelling back to his cultural homeland and his family's earlier experiences, including through the Iranian Revolution.

It's a beautiful story, so beautifully told. I particularly enjoyed Moud's perspective and learning how to deal with being gay and being from a country where LGBT rights are almost non-existent. Highly recommend this for fans of multigenerational stories and queer contemporary fiction.

Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Thank you to @pridebooktours for including me in the book tour for Godly Heathens!

Gem is a non-binary Seminole teen living in a tiny town in Georgia. Their dreams, which don't just come in their sleep, speak of magic and violence, blood and power, and feel just as real as the waking world. With the revelation that these dreams are memories, and Gem is the reincarnation of an ancient god, they work to unravel the mysteries of their existence and past, and escape the wrath of a pantheon of vengeful deities.

Godly Heathens is a funny, heart-wrenching, horror infused, magical book. Gem is a wonderful protagonist, and the world is deeply thought out and intricate. I feel like I have been to Gracie, Georgia, and know the amazing lore of the Ether like the back of my hand. I can't wait for more in this world!

Family Meal by Bryan Washington

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

Twelve Bones by Rosie Talbot

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Thankyou to Pride Book Tours for prividing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Following on from the fantastic Sixteen Souls, we follow Charlie and friends as they work hard to uncover the deadly mystery unfolding across York. Breaking all the laws they thought they knew, it looks like something from the world of the dead is able to harm the living, and as the bodies pile up, and more questions seem to stack with every answer uncovered, the group face a terrifying battle for the future of York and all those who live (and die) in it.

Having such a brilliant book centred around a disabled queer character is amazing, and this book really lives up to the standard set by its predecessor. I long for more from this amazing author in the beautiful and deep magical world!

Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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