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laurel00's reviews
296 reviews
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Will come back to this, I absolutely adored the first few chapters, but I entered a huge inexplicable reading slump and need to start over.
The Feast Makers by H.A. Clarke
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Will be coming back to this, I just entered a huge reading slump and need to start over.
Masculinities: Boi Bulldagger Butch Masc MOC Soft Butch Stud Tomboy Transmasc by Avery Cassell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 79%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 79%.
I was genuinely loving it and then I just… stopped. Nothing wrong with the book itself, I just never got to finishing it.
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
As much as I love seeing all the characters on a quest together, I think I'm partial to the stories that center around one kid's journey through their door. I find them a lot more emotional and I think McGuire has a particular talent for exploring childhood in a beautifully nostalgic and bittersweet way. Although there were some great moments here, this book maybe didn't hit quite as hard as some of the previous one—especially #8, Lost in the Moment and Found, which I believe is one of my favourites.
I'm glad that I was able to see Antsy again so soon, considering how much I adore her as a character, but since it was a lot more plot-based than character-based, I felt like I was maybe missing a little something.
That being said, I still love these children will all my heart, and I can't wait to keep following them down all their heartbreaking stories and adventures.
Thank you so much to Tordotcom. I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'm glad that I was able to see Antsy again so soon, considering how much I adore her as a character, but since it was a lot more plot-based than character-based, I felt like I was maybe missing a little something.
That being said, I still love these children will all my heart, and I can't wait to keep following them down all their heartbreaking stories and adventures.
Thank you so much to Tordotcom. I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
"I know that things aren't perfect and there are still hardships, but don't forget to enjoy these years. Live. Live them for the people who didn't get to enjoy being a teenager. For the people who never lived past being a teenager."
I had to suspend my disbelief on a couple of plot points, and there were some passages that felt clunkier than I would've liked. But overall, it was a deeply cathartic read, probably because of how much I relate to Felix and his relationship with his queer identity. And I think that, in general, Callender did a great job of balancing high school drama & romance, as well as more serious topics of transphobia and class disparity.
I had to suspend my disbelief on a couple of plot points, and there were some passages that felt clunkier than I would've liked. But overall, it was a deeply cathartic read, probably because of how much I relate to Felix and his relationship with his queer identity. And I think that, in general, Callender did a great job of balancing high school drama & romance, as well as more serious topics of transphobia and class disparity.
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Boulley has an amazing talent at writing otherwise seemingly unimportant, simple moments between characters and making them feel incredibly significant and deeply vulnerable.
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This series continues to be a wonderful reading experience! Discovering love and friendship through Murderbot's eyes really tugs at my heartstrings and makes me feel all kinds of emotions.
I will say, I really did love its relationship with ART in the second novella, and although I understand what Wells wanted to do with this specific plotline and Murderbot's character development, I did miss that side of things. Of course, I do enjoy seeing the events of each story unfold, but the sci-fi elements aren't quite as interesting to me as Murderbot itself. And I feel like this novella was more focused on the mystery and didn't dig as deep into Murderbot's mindset as I was hoping, which explains why it isn't my favourite book in the series.
Nonetheless, I'm excited to see where things go from here!
I will say, I really did love its relationship with ART in the second novella, and although I understand what Wells wanted to do with this specific plotline and Murderbot's character development, I did miss that side of things. Of course, I do enjoy seeing the events of each story unfold, but the sci-fi elements aren't quite as interesting to me as Murderbot itself. And I feel like this novella was more focused on the mystery and didn't dig as deep into Murderbot's mindset as I was hoping, which explains why it isn't my favourite book in the series.
Nonetheless, I'm excited to see where things go from here!
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is the third book I read for a book club with a friend of mine, and I don't know how, but we continue to choose the most amazing, devastating, heartbreaking stories. All I knew about this before going into it was that the plot was hard to explain, but that I simply had to trust that it would blow my mind—which it absolutely did!
I think, more than anything, Aoki has a truly beautiful writing style. I was brought to tears on so many different occasions throughout my reading experience—at times in very public spaces, might I add—and every single time I could not keep them in. There is just something about her prose that is so touching, it sounds almost lyrical, which paired so perfectly with the overall theme of music and song. In books where there are multiple storylines, I will always favour one over the others, and sometimes even get a bit annoyed when I have to slog through the chapters of my least favourite POV character. But with this book, I became deeply emotionally connected to every single character and every single storyline. There was never a dull moment, and I felt so personally invested in everything that was happening, which is a testament to Aoki's true talent as a writer.
This definitely has one of the more interesting plots that I've come across—which is getting more and more difficult to do in a publishing industry that seems to prioritize specific tropes and character dynamics. And I loved the way that we were introduced to all the world building. As complex and unique as it is, I never felt confused or unsure or lost in the story. I immediately connected to every person's struggles and journey and I loved every moment of it.
I also think this works so well as a genre-bending story. It definitely is fantastical and has a strong sci-fi element which would appeal to SFF readers, but it is very much based in a contemporary world with characters that feel real and relatable. Whether you are looking for romance or emotional devastation or an analysis of the human condition or a high-stakes other-worldly journey, you will find it in this novel.
Definitely worth the read!
I think, more than anything, Aoki has a truly beautiful writing style. I was brought to tears on so many different occasions throughout my reading experience—at times in very public spaces, might I add—and every single time I could not keep them in. There is just something about her prose that is so touching, it sounds almost lyrical, which paired so perfectly with the overall theme of music and song. In books where there are multiple storylines, I will always favour one over the others, and sometimes even get a bit annoyed when I have to slog through the chapters of my least favourite POV character. But with this book, I became deeply emotionally connected to every single character and every single storyline. There was never a dull moment, and I felt so personally invested in everything that was happening, which is a testament to Aoki's true talent as a writer.
This definitely has one of the more interesting plots that I've come across—which is getting more and more difficult to do in a publishing industry that seems to prioritize specific tropes and character dynamics. And I loved the way that we were introduced to all the world building. As complex and unique as it is, I never felt confused or unsure or lost in the story. I immediately connected to every person's struggles and journey and I loved every moment of it.
I also think this works so well as a genre-bending story. It definitely is fantastical and has a strong sci-fi element which would appeal to SFF readers, but it is very much based in a contemporary world with characters that feel real and relatable. Whether you are looking for romance or emotional devastation or an analysis of the human condition or a high-stakes other-worldly journey, you will find it in this novel.
Definitely worth the read!