loverofvenus's reviews
25 reviews

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Genocide, Antisemitism, War, Violence, Torture, Religious bigotry, Racism, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Cursing, Alcohol, Abandonment, Gun violence, Stalking, Grief, Death, Confinement, and Child abuse

Minor: Torture, Gore, Vomit, and Toxic relationship

14 Ways to Die by Vincent Ralph

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.5

 jess, the main character, wasn't the *most* likeable. i could very easily make the same mistakes as her but that doesn't make it less irritating. also, it doesn't come up much in the book—& we all know that unless stated otherwise the character is white & cishet—but there are moments that it is painfully obvious the author is both of those things. i will say, all in all, it was an enjoyable book.

albeit, there was a scene when her competitors gave up their opportunities to tell their viewers to follow her & it *did* felt like a cop out. also, her director/friend, danny, was implied to be crushing on her but like?? she was seventeen & he was in his twenties?? ew??

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Body horror, Alcohol, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell

funny inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced

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

2.75

it was painfully obvious in one of the stories that the author was white. not in a prejudiced way but you'll know when you see it. it was otherwise pretty cute. i especially enjoyed the dresser & the chambermaid.

Darius The Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

maybe i'm biased because a second-gen immigrant of color with depression but i love this book sm, man. it explores issues i struggle with irl: depression, body-insecurity, being poc, not being sure how to interact with family. also he's lowkey queer so. slay. (also, for fellow indians, the author did a thing with jasmines & it did get me teary-eyed for a sec.)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer

inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.75

the story is predictable at first. the instant karma thing did spice it up a bit, though. expect to hate prudence at first, she's downright evil. that being said, i was smitten with everyone by the end. they had me on the edge of my seat — threw my book when they first kissed. prudence got her character arc. also, i appreciated that the main character had a plump body. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty