liamliayaum's reviews
269 reviews

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

I just don't understand this fever dream of a book. Gets 2.5 instead of a 2 because the writing is done well. Not that I know what really happened.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-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

4.0

Content Warnings

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

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emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

Content Warnings

Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms by S.O. Callahan, Sarah Wallace

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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? No

4.0

While this is a deeply unsettling view of humanity falling, that unscores the bigger picture: Anishinaabe and First Peoples have endured tragedy after tragedy and have found ways to begin again, to find resilience in the face of great horror.

While there was a score of characters, this was a story not necessarily about them but more so their reactions to the circumstances. I prefer stories with more focus and development on characters, but I can see why this story focuses on other elements. All in all, a chilling read that I would not read before bed unless you want nightmares from pondering how your community would react.

Content Warnings

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Content Warnings

Truly Madly Magically by Hazel Beck

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adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings