Scan barcode
madmadmaddymad's reviews
167 reviews
And They Lived . . . by Steven Salvatore
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
First of all I would like to mention that I wasn’t totally a fan of the WRITING of this book. It’s probably a four star book if I were going to be honest about how it felt to read it. Emotional books like this should never be written in first person present tense. Because it’s too intense. It feels like an action story. That’s just my opinion.
Second.
I love everything else about this book. Chase is heartbreakingly relatable. I loved how it was a gender discovery story - and that he came to decide it’s okay to both be nonbinary while using he/him pronouns and calling himself gay. The whole question of queerness and gender and sexuality is dealt with beautifully in this book, and felt so naturally depicted.
I also love Jack! He is the epitome of the manic pixie dream girl trope. But I love that about him. And I love that this trope can be used and can thrive in a book like this, with a queer romance story at the heart of it.
The love story was so good. I really enjoyed how quickly they fell. How sweet and tender it was, and how, even in the midst of all of that, there was still so much of a struggle. Sometimes, happily ever after isn’t the most important part of the ending. I had my misgivings when certain events happened in this book, because with the whole thing being told from Chase’s perspective, it is a challenge to go through what Chase is going through while also realizing that other people can be going through shit too. Jack’s struggles were painful to read, and even more painful because it was clear to me that they just needed to talk to each other. I love that this story is an exercise in empathy, queerness, and self acceptance.
And I love that it has a happy ending.
Great book. Excellent.
Second.
I love everything else about this book. Chase is heartbreakingly relatable. I loved how it was a gender discovery story - and that he came to decide it’s okay to both be nonbinary while using he/him pronouns and calling himself gay. The whole question of queerness and gender and sexuality is dealt with beautifully in this book, and felt so naturally depicted.
I also love Jack! He is the epitome of the manic pixie dream girl trope. But I love that about him. And I love that this trope can be used and can thrive in a book like this, with a queer romance story at the heart of it.
The love story was so good. I really enjoyed how quickly they fell. How sweet and tender it was, and how, even in the midst of all of that, there was still so much of a struggle. Sometimes, happily ever after isn’t the most important part of the ending. I had my misgivings when certain events happened in this book, because with the whole thing being told from Chase’s perspective, it is a challenge to go through what Chase is going through while also realizing that other people can be going through shit too. Jack’s struggles were painful to read, and even more painful because it was clear to me that they just needed to talk to each other. I love that this story is an exercise in empathy, queerness, and self acceptance.
And I love that it has a happy ending.
Great book. Excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Fatphobia
Minor: Bullying and Outing
The Gargoyle's Captive by Katee Robert
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It has a little too much plot. I think Katee Robert’s strengths are in the sexy, steamy, smutty scenes - I personally really don’t care for her storytelling. It kind of pains me to say it, because I find the universe of these deal-with-a-demon books so fun, but I do come for the smut obviously.
This one earns four stars for having a submissive male love interest. Good boy, Bram.
This one earns four stars for having a submissive male love interest. Good boy, Bram.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Love this series. This volume came together really well, it has beautiful, vibrant art and a nice pace to the story with lots of emotional moments.
I love Artemis and I have a pet theory that she’s suffering from a crush on Persephone. That whole sequence where Persephone was needling her about “never having a crush on anyone ever in the whole history of time” and Artemis’s expression…. I ship it!
(I mean. Obviously I ship Hades and Persephone, as why would I be reading this if I didn’t. But. Ya know. Artemis having an unrequited crush would be cute and make a lot of sense for her character - especially with her hatred of Hades.)
I love Artemis and I have a pet theory that she’s suffering from a crush on Persephone. That whole sequence where Persephone was needling her about “never having a crush on anyone ever in the whole history of time” and Artemis’s expression…. I ship it!
(I mean. Obviously I ship Hades and Persephone, as why would I be reading this if I didn’t. But. Ya know. Artemis having an unrequited crush would be cute and make a lot of sense for her character - especially with her hatred of Hades.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape and Mental illness
The Demon's Bargain by Katee Robert
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I think this one is my favorite of the “Deal with a Demon” series.
I really liked the sexy bargain and the three day trail run. I didn’t care about the plot so much - with trying to get back her Amulet…. It felt very arbitrary, and with that steamy final sex scene I couldn’t help but feel like they were wasting their last day with all of the nonsensical violence. However. I’m a sucker for that insta love trope - and the trans love interest, chef’s kiss! So glad the adventure concluded happily, and that Ramanu and Lenora got to fall in love.
(Also this book has so much kinky sex, I LOVED the play of dominance and submissiveness. And the pegging scene! Very few romance novels go there!!! I’m so glad this one did. Holy shit. It was perfect! So sexy!)
I really liked the sexy bargain and the three day trail run. I didn’t care about the plot so much - with trying to get back her Amulet…. It felt very arbitrary, and with that steamy final sex scene I couldn’t help but feel like they were wasting their last day with all of the nonsensical violence. However. I’m a sucker for that insta love trope - and the trans love interest, chef’s kiss! So glad the adventure concluded happily, and that Ramanu and Lenora got to fall in love.
(Also this book has so much kinky sex, I LOVED the play of dominance and submissiveness. And the pegging scene! Very few romance novels go there!!! I’m so glad this one did. Holy shit. It was perfect! So sexy!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Please Come Off-Book by Kevin Kantor
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Loved it.
Non-binary excellence.
Ugly in its honesty.
Sensational.
I don’t read a lot of poetry - but maybe I should. I loved everything about this.
Non-binary excellence.
Ugly in its honesty.
Sensational.
I don’t read a lot of poetry - but maybe I should. I loved everything about this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Self harm
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A fairytale for adults. It gave me Hobbit vibes, and although it had less of a journey, it had more magic.
I saw the film before reading the book, but it’s been years and years. I just remember liking it. This book was an echo of the movie - reading it made me remember visuals and sometimes exact moments. It made me remember the feeling of being young, and of the friend I had been sitting next to in the movie theater. She’s trans, and when the young boy sold the goat to the witch, and was changed randomly into a girl, I remember her saying “I wish I could go to this place and meet a witch like her.” It’s a silly moment but I remembered it so vividly.
I do wish the ending was different, but I like how bittersweet the story is.
I saw the film before reading the book, but it’s been years and years. I just remember liking it. This book was an echo of the movie - reading it made me remember visuals and sometimes exact moments. It made me remember the feeling of being young, and of the friend I had been sitting next to in the movie theater. She’s trans, and when the young boy sold the goat to the witch, and was changed randomly into a girl, I remember her saying “I wish I could go to this place and meet a witch like her.” It’s a silly moment but I remembered it so vividly.
I do wish the ending was different, but I like how bittersweet the story is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Sexual content
Voices in the Snow by Darcy Coates
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The first half was chilling and atmospheric, mysterious in a “What’s-Up-With-Dorran” kind of way. I thought I was reading Misery by Stephen King.
The second half was completely off the rails. Bonkers. Very fun and unexpected horror. Resident Evil Village vibes. I wish that villain had been around for more of it, she was great!
Definitely not what I was expecting, but definitely a worthwhile read.
The second half was completely off the rails. Bonkers. Very fun and unexpected horror. Resident Evil Village vibes. I wish that villain had been around for more of it, she was great!
Definitely not what I was expecting, but definitely a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Confinement, Classism, and Child abuse
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
3.0
Mmmm. It was alright, but fairly tedious compared to the first one. I suffered for the first 200 pages, and then managed to get slightly more invested once Andarna woke up and Xaden and Violet made up.
The break up felt arbitrary and forced. There were lots of emotions, and not as much action, and it’s written in first person present tense, a style that DEMANDS action, it just felt like a chore to read.
However I will say that the final 100 pages or so are pretty exciting and worth reading. I’m not out on this series yet, but this one might be the one I skip if I ever do end up rereading these novels
The break up felt arbitrary and forced. There were lots of emotions, and not as much action, and it’s written in first person present tense, a style that DEMANDS action, it just felt like a chore to read.
However I will say that the final 100 pages or so are pretty exciting and worth reading. I’m not out on this series yet, but this one might be the one I skip if I ever do end up rereading these novels
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Blood, War, and Violence
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I liked it as much as chocolate but
Oompa Loompa’s rhyme kind of lazily
And towards the end - their songs become tedious
If you like songs - it might make you crazy
Heartwarming, sort of, we all know the story
Willy Wonka has the ability to make me feel like a child
There’s candy and whimsy and lessons about love and kindness
Thank you Roald Dahl for a book that’s both worthwhile and wild
Oompa Loompa’s rhyme kind of lazily
And towards the end - their songs become tedious
If you like songs - it might make you crazy
Heartwarming, sort of, we all know the story
Willy Wonka has the ability to make me feel like a child
There’s candy and whimsy and lessons about love and kindness
Thank you Roald Dahl for a book that’s both worthwhile and wild
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Slavery and Xenophobia
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
I really enjoyed how uplifting this book was. A very welcome read for the end of the year.
My favourites were Tomoka and Hiroya. Oh, and of course, Sayuri. I find it charming that everyone who met her saw her differently, by the end, I could picture her in my head, all dressed in white with the little acacia flower dangling from her hair bun, working on her needle felting in the back of the library.
My favourites were Tomoka and Hiroya. Oh, and of course, Sayuri. I find it charming that everyone who met her saw her differently, by the end, I could picture her in my head, all dressed in white with the little acacia flower dangling from her hair bun, working on her needle felting in the back of the library.