katieandkiri's reviews
103 reviews

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

This was such a great book to read for its lightheartedness! The sci-fi aspects were excellent and I loved the friendships in this. I could not be convinced the main characters were in their late twenties which makes sense when I read the acknowledgments that this was started when the author was much younger than the age of her characters. I also don’t know how to feel about the romance because it does contain a major pet peeve of mine. But that is personal preference and I think a lot of people would really enjoy it. 

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

4.0

What an incredible read. This is the kind of book that stays with you and reading it in the format it’s in was something new that I loved. Sometimes the social media aspects really threw me off and felt like it had dated the book already. It still feels necessary to have that element but it was one I didn’t particularly enjoy. The ending though is probably my favorite part. And Okorafor’s writing is just brilliant. Pages would fly by so quickly and it’s so easy to be engaged. Overall loved the experience of this book and highly recommend for those who are fans of literary fiction and sci-fi. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Death of parent

Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, and Gaslighting

Minor: Gun violence

The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko

dark inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Not that it’s required but I wish I had finished Redemptor before starting this. Still this is yet another incredible story by Jordan Ifueko. Her story telling is some of the best I’ve ever read and she creates incredible characters. I will ready anything she publishes. As for this book specifically I will be honest and admit I struggled a little with Sade and her relationship with the Crocodile. Sometimes it was confusing to me but going along with it made it very rewarding in the end. I think one of my favorite aspects of this book is the story is told of characters who are on the opposite end of the spectrum of the Raybearers. I really appreciated the discomfort we sit with and reflection it invites. Very well done once again! 

For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

I loved this!!! What a great story. The friendship was my favorite and the annoyed acquaintances to friends to lovers to enemies to… (you’ll have to read ;) ) was pretty good to me too. I enjoyed the adventures and couldn’t put the book down wondering where everything would go. The emphasis on revenge was really satisfying but also reflective. Overall super enjoyed this and would highly recommend! 

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense 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

3.5

I struggled with this a bit in audiobook format so take the 3.5 with a grain of salt. It definitely picked up more for me in the last half. 

House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Wow. Could not put this down!! I loved the writing too. Excited to read more from this author. 

The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older

lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

Came for the sci-fi, stayed for the sapphic longing. 

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.

I just can’t keep reading this in good conscience. I have a list of problems with this series and I’m just not interested in continuing to read anymore. I officially believe, as I did with book one, that this series is way overhyped. 

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

5.0

For any other sentient robot lovers out there this is for us!! A magical story told in less pages than I could have thought achievable. 

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

I almost DNF’d this during the first 20% because it was too dark and made me feel pretty horrible reading it. It was also a bit slow in the beginning. I do think this book is overhyped just a bit, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t captivate me. Once I hit the 25% mark where I told myself I would stop if it was too much, I kept reading. I had to find out what was happening next. I have way too many questions about the setup of this universe. It does kind of give information slowly but overall the systems make some kind of sense.