justgrace's reviews
113 reviews

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This book meant so much to me in a time when I feel some of what Nesta feels. To see her and her friends rise above their struggles was so meaningful. Easily my favorite ACOTAR book. ACOTAR may be wild, I might not always like what happens, but I will probably always read it until SJM stops writing them because it's such an addictive series! It pulls you in in such a beautiful, magical way.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

It's ACOTAR: The Christmas Episode! And I loved it! A lovely reprieve after all that war and tension and yet it showed each character working through the effects in a really lovely way.

Except Tamlin. I do think that this series is a little harsh on him. Yes, obviously he has some serious atoning to do for his treatment of Feyre but he is swimming in trauma and depression and rage and he has no help! No light. And while I don't expect Rhys or Feyre to help him, it was hard to read Rhys' first interaction with Tamlin. While Tamlin isn't my favorite character (I never felt like he was very well-developed), I would still like to see some path forward for him, some healing, some light.

 

Overall just really lovely. :)

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

4.0

The ACOTAR books have been a wild ride. I don't love everything about them, but it is pretty powerful that this series got me to read a 700-page book (likely the longest novel I've ever read) that centered a war! Yet it's so much fun, and at the end, not going to lie, my eyes misted a few times. 

At First Spite by Olivia Dade

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

This was such a fun read but also one that was complex and real. Athena and Matthew not only warmed my heart (and made me laugh and also blush profusely), their separate journeys were healing to read about. Loving the Harlot’s Bay community is the cherry on top. Bravo Olivia Dade! I cannot wait to know what happens in Harlot’s Bay next!

The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker

challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I'm so glad I picked this up. The history of the Black Panthers is expertly told and illustrated here. I loved the moments when there was a scene that was so human in the midst of unimaginable circumstances (like when the Panthers got lost in the Capitol Building). Those moments held some humor in them and then were punctured by hatred (after the Panthers get lost, they accidentally walk into the main chamber of the assembly room only to have their weapons seized, be escorted out by police, and arrested for something that wasn't even their fault-- yet armed white supremacists can march on a state capitol with no repercussions in 2020 as the closing letter poignantly points out). It emphasized how human the members of the Black Panthers were and how great were the obstacles they faced, how quickly the worst was assumed of them.

The closing letter particularly hit home for me, the events of 2020-- particularly the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery-- are still fresh and not much has changed at all. The book leaves me wondering: What will create true and lasting change?

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

5.0

Honest, funny, and fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Watching the author come to terms with complicated and complex things made me feel less alone. The literary allusions were the delicious icing on top.

Mr. Knightley's Diary by Amanda Grange

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

Slow in parts, but I liked revisiting this story from a different perspective.

All the Feels by Olivia Dade

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Romance novels really are my friends. This book came right when I needed it. I laughed, I yelled at both of the lead characters-- it was lovely. Alex and Wren are really sweet. I love how Olivia doesn't shy away from talking about appearance and how it affects our self-esteem and relationships while also showing characters who make it through insecurities and don't let society dictate their value. Wren was especially important to me in this way-- I related to her struggles inside and out. I loved how despite their differences the main characters ended up being really similar in their values and emotional arcs. Also the supporting characters *chef's kiss*. I love Marcus and Carah (I wish I could've heard a little more about April). I can't wait for Maria and Peter's story! 

The Gentleman's Gambit by Evie Dunmore

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

What a sweet way to end this series! Catriona and Elias were lovely and the epilogue really hit hard. Brava Ms. Dunmore!

The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Wow. Major-league swoon.