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ladybanecourt's reviews
98 reviews
The Nameless Trickster by Rebecca F. Kenney
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
✨4/5✨
What else can I say besides I literally devoured this book when I'm supposed to be reading other ones for class? I love, love, love the For the Love of the Villain series and this new one was literally amazing. The evolution of the characters remains a truly fascinating aspect of the series and though I think this was a little darker than the previous ones this was still a solid one in my book.
What else can I say besides I literally devoured this book when I'm supposed to be reading other ones for class? I love, love, love the For the Love of the Villain series and this new one was literally amazing. The evolution of the characters remains a truly fascinating aspect of the series and though I think this was a little darker than the previous ones this was still a solid one in my book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture
Moderate: Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Murder
Moral Politics in the Philippines: Inequality, Democracy and the Urban Poor by Wataru Kusaka
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
✨4/5✨
A fascinating read and take into the Philippine political system and the antagonisms that surround it. A close look into the inner workings of the machine, it provides the reader something to think about, something that lingers even as the book is finished.
A fascinating read and take into the Philippine political system and the antagonisms that surround it. A close look into the inner workings of the machine, it provides the reader something to think about, something that lingers even as the book is finished.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault
Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth by Warsan Shire
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
✨5/5✨
Something that is filled with raw emotions, raw stories, raw everything. I read this as something that could clutch my 2023 reading challenge, but this gave me so much more. The emotions I felt, the power behind the words of the author, they all culminated into a collection that brought me to feel a fire in my chest.
I love this book.
Something that is filled with raw emotions, raw stories, raw everything. I read this as something that could clutch my 2023 reading challenge, but this gave me so much more. The emotions I felt, the power behind the words of the author, they all culminated into a collection that brought me to feel a fire in my chest.
I love this book.
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.25
✨4.25/5✨
This is the third-ever fairytale retelling that I have read, and let me tell you something: fairytale retellings slap. I can confidently tell you that I found this book to be a wonderful retelling that really just boils down to taking back our control over the narrative. To raise our voice against oppression and not be silent to the plight of our fellow people.
It's filled with interesting characters and a storyline that kept me hooked whenever I read it. Plus, as someone who has a short attention span, the short chapters kept me engaged, so that's definitely a plus in my book.
Cinderella Is Dead is definitely a story that deals with a lot of heavy themes, and though it is fantastical in its setting, it exposes heavy-hitting truths about a society that reflects our own. You'll definitely find out when you read the book, so I encourage you to read it! ✨
P.S. For a lot of reasons, I feel like this book will make for a REALLY good film. I'd definitely watch.
This is the third-ever fairytale retelling that I have read, and let me tell you something: fairytale retellings slap. I can confidently tell you that I found this book to be a wonderful retelling that really just boils down to taking back our control over the narrative. To raise our voice against oppression and not be silent to the plight of our fellow people.
It's filled with interesting characters and a storyline that kept me hooked whenever I read it. Plus, as someone who has a short attention span, the short chapters kept me engaged, so that's definitely a plus in my book.
Cinderella Is Dead is definitely a story that deals with a lot of heavy themes, and though it is fantastical in its setting, it exposes heavy-hitting truths about a society that reflects our own. You'll definitely find out when you read the book, so I encourage you to read it! ✨
P.S. For a lot of reasons, I feel like this book will make for a REALLY good film. I'd definitely watch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Homophobia
Death's Obsession by Avina St. Graves
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
✨4/5✨
Did I come for the spice? Yes. Did I stay for the character development? Also yes. Loved Letum and how kind he was to Lilith, and I absolutely loved the ending. The world building was simple, though there certainly could have been more—this story has a lot of potential I think that was just untapped but the writing was very, very lovely. It's a sweet, short read I'd probably come back to in the future.
Did I come for the spice? Yes. Did I stay for the character development? Also yes. Loved Letum and how kind he was to Lilith, and I absolutely loved the ending. The world building was simple, though there certainly could have been more—this story has a lot of potential I think that was just untapped but the writing was very, very lovely. It's a sweet, short read I'd probably come back to in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Family Business by Jonathan Sims
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
✨5/5✨
First Johnny Sims book I read and, as a fan of The Magnus Archives, I have to say the writing still impresses me a lot! This is such a good book, and the characters??? The plot???The Mr. Bill reveal??? Also, Xen was my favorite don't @ me.
I am definitely in love with this, would love to read it again for spooky season next year.
First Johnny Sims book I read and, as a fan of The Magnus Archives, I have to say the writing still impresses me a lot! This is such a good book, and the characters??? The plot???
I am definitely in love with this, would love to read it again for spooky season next year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
✨5/5✨
Easily one of the best books I've read this year! It's heartwarming and beautiful and made me cry, and really, what more can you ask for in a book? It has long chapters, yes, but it's engaging and it really hooked me right from the first chapter, which I can say doesn't happen very often in my case. The main cast of characters were very lovable, and although a good portion of the plot in the story were some I expected, I still liked the vindication I had at the end of the day because of it.
Definitely already making plans to reread this book again.
Easily one of the best books I've read this year! It's heartwarming and beautiful and made me cry, and really, what more can you ask for in a book? It has long chapters, yes, but it's engaging and it really hooked me right from the first chapter, which I can say doesn't happen very often in my case. The main cast of characters were very lovable, and although a good portion of the plot in the story were some I expected, I still liked the vindication I had at the end of the day because of it.
Definitely already making plans to reread this book again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Outing, Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Stalking
Kingsman: The Golden Circle - The Official Movie Novelization by Tim Waggoner
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
✨4.5/5✨
Truth be told, I have a bias because I am absolutely just in love with the Kingsman franchise. This novelization, I felt, was great in its vocabulary, its elaboration on things, and its passion. For me, it gave justice to the second movie, making me fall in love more with the cast of characters than before. Can't wait to watch the movie again with the information I gathered in this book in mind!
Truth be told, I have a bias because I am absolutely just in love with the Kingsman franchise. This novelization, I felt, was great in its vocabulary, its elaboration on things, and its passion. For me, it gave justice to the second movie, making me fall in love more with the cast of characters than before. Can't wait to watch the movie again with the information I gathered in this book in mind!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Racial slurs
The Maleficent Faerie by Rebecca F. Kenney
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
✨4/5✨
First off, let me tell you: this book made me bawl, okay? This was a genuinely fun book, a beautiful retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty story. It was very compelling and I have to say also very emotional on my part. This book tore my heart to pieces especially on the final third of it. I felt like there could still be some improvements on the writing, but overall it was a good, enjoyable story that I fell for.
First off, let me tell you: this book made me bawl, okay? This was a genuinely fun book, a beautiful retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty story. It was very compelling and I have to say also very emotional on my part. This book tore my heart to pieces especially on the final third of it. I felt like there could still be some improvements on the writing, but overall it was a good, enjoyable story that I fell for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
The Sea Witch by Rebecca F. Kenney
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
✨4/5✨
I'm such a fan of dark retellings, and this book managed to capture me with intrigue, mystery, and passion. The storytelling is wonderful and the plot was very, very compelling—definitely made me care a lot for the main characters. I loved them by the end of it. This was really good!
I'm such a fan of dark retellings, and this book managed to capture me with intrigue, mystery, and passion. The storytelling is wonderful and the plot was very, very compelling—definitely made me care a lot for the main characters. I loved them by the end of it. This was really good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence
Moderate: Gore, Murder