kayceeisbookish's reviews
168 reviews

Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi

dark informative mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

This book wasn't what I was expecting. It's listed as fantasy (due to the existence of dragons and the gids in the in-universe lore), but it was mostly about a son growing up in a political and very tense business family environment. He learns how to take on the grim and sometimes gritty business. Great writing style and world building, just not the type of story for me. This will definitely be someone's favorite book, though.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Blood, Cursing, Kidnapping, War, Grief, Death, Racism, Alcohol, Animal death, and Death of parent

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Six of crows + Vampires 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Violence

The Shadowhunter's Codex by Joshua Lewis, Cassandra Clare

funny informative inspiring slow-paced

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

3.5

The annotations are the best part in my opinion 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Classism, and Religious bigotry

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Violence

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Self harm, and Eating disorder

Serpents of Sky and Flame by Rebecca F. Kenney

adventurous dark funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

4.75

I was breathing fire from how hot and steamy this novel got at times. Definitely enjoyed it. A must-read for dragon lovers.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, Gore, Grief, Pregnancy, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Confinement, Death, Excrement, Rape, Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Vomit

The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

1.75

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Cursing, Blood, Death of parent, and Death

A Prison of Ink and Ice by Rebecca F. Kenney

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Slavery

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

Out of this world. 'The Mars House' takes current problems and fits them under a futuristic lense. A true delight to read. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Cursing, Deportation, and Gun violence

The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence

dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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