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madison_mls's reviews
120 reviews
Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The first 60% of this really had me but after that it started to kind of drag and it started to feel like a chore to read. But then the ending felt too abrupt! Overall I thought the shapeshifting concept was super unique, and that it was a powerful method to use to submerse the reader in Paul’s experiences and feelings with gender.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Hate crime, and Homophobia
Minor: Death and Pandemic/Epidemic
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
reflective
tense
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
3.5
The last 100 pages of this book definitely brought up this rating. This book was a little too long in my opinion, but I will say those last chapters really gripped me. Besides the drawn out meditating and work out montages (not necessarily sword training just flat out working out) I did enjoy this book. Had it just been shorter it would’ve been better than the second. I really liked watching Nesta’s journey and PoV. I also enjoyed the sisterhood element that was put into play with the friendships she made along the way. Overall a fine read that just dragged a lil
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This would’ve probably hit home more if I had a sister, but this book still did paint the picture of sisterhood in a clear enough light where I could begin to understand what it’s like. This story was a heartwarming yet heartbreaking depiction of what it means to grieve. What I liked most was how real the characters seemed, and how realistic their conversations/arguments were. Genuinely felt like the characters could hop off the page! Overall recommend this book, and I feel like this was a good introduction to this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Abandonment
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Everybody loves a Christmas special
Yeah nothing happened in this book to really progress the series along, but I did really dig the vibes!
Yeah nothing happened in this book to really progress the series along, but I did really dig the vibes!
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
This book was dark! The way it was written really made it feel like a Brothers Grimm fairytale. I really liked a lot of elements to this story; the twist was well done, the building tension within the story was impactful, and the main character’s voice was intriguing to read from. Idk why but it just didn’t give me the five star feel but it was still a strong read and one that was worthwhile! Definitely delivers on the grocery list of trigger warnings that I’ve seen for it so approach with caution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Leigh Bardugo hit it out of the park with her writing style in this one. I kind of liked how the book was narrated, it helped give the story the air of a Shakespearean tragedy in a way. This omnipotent narrator clueing us in on what each character is thinking with the way the first scene was set was unique. Also the ✨yearning✨! Bardugo sure knows how to write a touch starved man in the most beautiful way lmao. Overall a great read that was well paced and had fun characters to read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a pretty entertaining read! I liked that it was a standalone and the magic system was unique. Not my fave book of the year but I still had a good time.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
I really really liked this one! I heard someone once YouTube once say that Emily Henry is great at writing dialogue that would never happen in real life but somehow works in her stories and that is so true! I won’t be able to get that out of my head now. I loved the banter between the main leads and there were some parts that were genuinely funny! I really enjoyed the premise and I’m kind a sucker for the friends to romance trope. The only reason this wasn’t five stars for me was that the conflict at the last portion of the story was a little goofy. It wasn’t giving like I think it should have and I felt like there could’ve been a different situation used that would’ve been more compelling.
Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an interesting read. Obviously the more interesting storyline was the vampire’s PoV but while the human’s PoV may have lulled in some places I do feel like the monotony was intentional and used well. It really added to the depressive tone of that section of the story. The ending was a little unexpected but still all in all I really enjoyed it! If you’ve read A Dowry of Blood then you’ll probably like this as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Oh how I love being a woman✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship