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lyonsdenprojects's reviews
102 reviews
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
I loved this book from the very first page to the last. It may be my favorite book of this year and I cannot wait for the sequel. The female and male leads break so many stereotypes and are solid in their choices once they make them which I loved.
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-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
4.0
This is like a richer, more magical telling of Memoirs of a Geisha, where the protagonist has far more control of herself and her destiny. I love Rin's writing from The Girl in the Well and this book was as wonderful as I expected. It started slow and but once the world was built enough, it grabbed me with lovable characters and a compelling tale. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Grief
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such gorgeously written prose and amazingly lovable characters! I didn't quite know what I was in for when I picked this book up but I loved every word of it. I love its deep roots in Welsh lore. And it's resolution is just so heart warming. An absolute delight!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Death
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn't put this book down. Each time I'd tell myself "one more chapter" and then find myself reading three more. This book feels so delightfully like modern Shirley Jackson, but more in depth as it is written in first person. I love unreliable narrator stories but this takes the concept one step further. A wonderful atmospheric read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Murder
Minor: Animal death and Alcoholism
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
This book is amazing! I think it might be my favorite interpretation of Peter Pan EVER. I love the atmosphere of the writing. I generally had no idea this book had such a delightfully creepy edge to it when I picked it up. Aiden Thomas is now absolutely among my favorite writers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
This book is so wonderfully magical. It has a beautiful take on magical realism and mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. I adored it so much, I need to get more of this author's books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Confinement
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book ended up surprising me. At first I didn't understand the purpose of jumping back and forth between present and past. I actually found the present plot line a bit boring and would have rathered read an entire book about the past plotline. But as I kept reading, as the author's writing style is incredibly engaging and easy to consume quickly, I found myself deeply appreciating the parallels between the two plots and how Caroline came to rediscover herself through learning the story of her historical counterparts.
This is a wonderful book for remembering to take time for what things we live most.
This is a wonderful book for remembering to take time for what things we live most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pedophilia
All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
I love this writer's work so much. I love how deeply rooted in Irish culture and history her work is, especially this book. It highlights the atrocities that women have been subjected to in modern Irish history since the English occupation in a way that is captivating without being so graphic that it's off putting. The empathy she develops with the ancestors of the main character is so heart grabbing that I ended up staying up way late just to finish the book. This is a definite must read.
I also especially love how this author writes magic into her books. It's this beautiful realism that sometimes has scientific explanations and sometimes is just ephemeral enough to make you wonder if it really happened or the characters just saw it in their own mind. I love it.
I also especially love how this author writes magic into her books. It's this beautiful realism that sometimes has scientific explanations and sometimes is just ephemeral enough to make you wonder if it really happened or the characters just saw it in their own mind. I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abortion, Violence, Suicide, Rape, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, and Physical abuse
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Incest, and Pedophilia
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
I love this story, the flow of the words, the characters, and the mythology of the world it is set it! The romance and character growth of the characters is so intriguing, it captured my attention from the first page and didn't let go. I need to get the second book!
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
I love this story, the flow of the words, the characters, and the mythology of the world it is set it! The romance and character growth of the characters is so intriguing, it captured my attention from the first page and didn't let go. I need to get the second book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty