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kauliflower's reviews
109 reviews
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
emotional
informative
fast-paced
5.0
I think the majority fear becoming the minority, and so they will do anything and everything to protect their power.
This memoir was fantastic. The experiences shared were insightful, educational, and full of emotion. The author was extremely vulnerable, which added a heartwrenching layer to this book. When I discovered that this book has been banned in 29 school districts (USA), I was honestly baffled, but it did make me read this book, and I'm so glad I did (even if I cried a handful of times). I will forever recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I've shared a couple of quotes throughout that stuck with me.
As a Black queer person, I've died hundreds of times. Will likely die hundreds more times before my physical death. That is the lesson of death, though - from death comes rebirth. A rebirth in thinking, in processing, in living.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson, Shannon Watters
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Super cute first volume! Loved the art style & especially loved the characters + their dynamics. Cute cute cute.
Rated using the CAWPILE system :3
Rated using the CAWPILE system :3
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm really glad I read this book, even if I didn't give it the highest rating. It was wonderfully written and unique in so many ways - I just felt.. empty when I'd finished reading, the characters weren't well fleshed out as their relationships & dynamics felt forced + I had no emotional attachment to any character, so in tense moments I was unable to immerse myself in their world. However, the world building was excellent - I loved learning about the different creatures, items, magic 'systems', islands, rituals and more. The pacing was also enjoyable. :) As I mentioned, despite it's flaws I'm very glad I've read this book!
I would've loved to learn more about the Mistress of Poisons, I need to hear more about her part in the adventures.
Rated using the CAWPILE system. :3
Rated using the CAWPILE system. :3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Trafficking
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
A very poorly structured brain blurt review!
I have so many feelings towards this book. At times I found the plot too simplistic and almost cartoon like, but that links to a journal entry where life without death was compared to a cartoon.. which is amazing. I didn’t feel much for either Citra or Rowan throughout the entire book, I felt no emotional connection to them but I did enjoy watching their stories unfold. The ending hit me quite hard, I adored the final line, “And if ever Scythe Lucifer comes my way, I hope he’ll see me as one of the good ones. As he once did.” it was incredibly powerful and left me thinking a lot.
Scythe Farady, Curie and Volta were by far my favourite characters - they were all deeply misunderstood in different ways and I loved exploring their pasts and presents.
The plot/twists were pretty predictable and they didn’t really shock me at all, but I was okay with that because I still enjoyed the story anyway. The world building is fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more. :3
I’m someone who actively avoids romance and I did roll my eyes at the beginning of Rowan and Citras ‘relationship’ but it developed in a way I found both enjoyable and surprising. If you’re a romance hater, read this book regardless. 🫵 I’m hoping it stays this way in the coming books, as I’ll definitely be reading them. :)
Scythe Farady, Curie and Volta were by far my favourite characters - they were all deeply misunderstood in different ways and I loved exploring their pasts and presents.
The plot/twists were pretty predictable and they didn’t really shock me at all, but I was okay with that because I still enjoyed the story anyway. The world building is fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more. :3
I’m someone who actively avoids romance and I did roll my eyes at the beginning of Rowan and Citras ‘relationship’ but it developed in a way I found both enjoyable and surprising. If you’re a romance hater, read this book regardless. 🫵 I’m hoping it stays this way in the coming books, as I’ll definitely be reading them. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Pedophilia
Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
This book had an amazing message, realistic fiction just isn't for me! Would 100% recommend it though. :)
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Temporarily DNFing because I can't stand 3 page long descriptions of highschool crushes right now, the plot seemed interesting though.
The Fall by Ryan Cahill
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow.. wow. This is 100% the best novella I’ve ever read and I can’t wait to pick up the rest of the series. I truly don’t know how a 96 page book almost made me cry three separate times but I’m here for it. The writing was phenomenal, the world building (the dragons) was just so.. wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gore
The Queen of Days by Greta Kelly
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were wonderful and I enjoyed seeing their development, I did think Zee and Edik could’ve been explored more but other than that the characters were a great experience. :) The plot continued to stay intriguing even if a few decisions made by the main character, Balthazar, seemed a little wild (it does match his character though, to be fair) - but it all wrapped up well. The world building wasn’t extreme and definitely could’ve been explored more had the plot expanded but I think it was the perfect amount for what it aimed to do.
Edit: The world building/ names were extremely easy to remember too! I remember one instance where I didn’t recognise a name for a second but apart from that it was fine! :3
Basically.. I really enjoyed this book.
Edit: The world building/ names were extremely easy to remember too! I remember one instance where I didn’t recognise a name for a second but apart from that it was fine! :3
Basically.. I really enjoyed this book.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Also, the characters felt so flat, they both followed every YA romantasy trope/stereotype that's ever existed; rich boy who doesn't want to follow his father's orders, poor girl with a bad homelife, boy who seems super cocky but is actually super soft and sensitive, insecure girl who has to have her entire career/life revolve around that same one boy. This book annoyed me so much, please.
The romance itself was so sudden it just came out of nowhere, but I also just don't like romance so this could be a problem, I don't really know or care. Oh, another thing, it's tiny but it still felt clunky and poorly written. The FMC always has to be a pure and innocent virgin trope. :) This book misses nothing! <3 It was such an awkward (doesn't seem purposeful) and shitty interaction, it was thrown in out of no where with no previous indication that they were going to have sex on a hill, not that it'd surprise me at this point, it's just another case of an overused trope. I just.. sigh.
The ending was predictable too.
I did not enjoy this book, that's all! ☀️
I'm sorry if this comes across as bitchy or rude, I'm just putting my thoughts down as they come, sob.
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
I did not enjoy this at all. I didn't like the writing, I didn't like the characters, I didn't like the romance and I didn't like the plot (if you can even call it a plot). The pacing was horrendous and the actual romance itself was so clunky and poorly structured.
Chapter 29.
"She unfortunately had to sit on Roman Kitt's lap.."
The 'FMC has no other option but to sit on the MMC's lap' trope happening in an active warzone, a little gift for you. <3
Also, the characters felt so flat, they both followed every YA romantasy trope/stereotype that's ever existed; rich boy who doesn't want to follow his father's orders, poor girl with a bad homelife, boy who seems super cocky but is actually super soft and sensitive, insecure girl who has to have her entire career/life revolve around that same one boy. This book annoyed me so much, please.
The romance itself was so sudden it just came out of nowhere, but I also just don't like romance so this could be a problem, I don't really know or care. Oh, another thing, it's tiny but it still felt clunky and poorly written. The FMC always has to be a pure and innocent virgin trope. :) This book misses nothing! <3 It was such an awkward (doesn't seem purposeful) and shitty interaction, it was thrown in out of no where with no previous indication that they were going to have sex on a hill, not that it'd surprise me at this point, it's just another case of an overused trope. I just.. sigh.
The ending was predictable too.
I did not enjoy this book, that's all! ☀️
I'm sorry if this comes across as bitchy or rude, I'm just putting my thoughts down as they come, sob.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I honestly loved this book so so much, the writing was impeccable and the plot itself was never boring! I love all of the characters so much and will definitely pick up book two to continue :) My only issue with this book was the wild sexualisation of any and all female characters involved in the story - it's an issue I have with a lot of high fantasy though, so it was expected.