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madmadmaddymad's reviews
168 reviews
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.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oh my god, it took me WAY too long to read this incredible book. I’m kicking myself for leaving this on my TBR for as long as I did. What an amazing, well crafted story. I particularly enjoyed the split perspective, with interludes in the tavern.
I also have the hugest crush on Bast, woah. That final chapter was a whirl. He captured my heart way back when he first revealed himself as fae - and then he tore it into tiny pieces and taped them back together in letters that spelled “I heart Bast” when he used his full Fae form to be all threatening to the Chronicler. Also, do I ship Bast x the Chronicler? What? Shhh this book was so much fun but wow am I invested in the interlude side characters.
I also have the hugest crush on Bast, woah. That final chapter was a whirl. He captured my heart way back when he first revealed himself as fae - and then he tore it into tiny pieces and taped them back together in letters that spelled “I heart Bast” when he used his full Fae form to be all threatening to the Chronicler. Also, do I ship Bast x the Chronicler? What? Shhh this book was so much fun but wow am I invested in the interlude side characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, and Grief
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book. Zhu became so ruthless in her quest to become the emperor and rule the world! And I wasn’t prepared for how much loss we had to suffer for her to get there.
I really liked how this book had more villains, and more queer people, and more intense moments of wondering if the ones we’re rooting for are really doing the right thing after all. Can fate can be ours to make, or does Heaven have it all planned out from the start?
Ouyang was my favorite character in this book. I loved how trans the book felt when it was told from his point of view, and how he always awarded Zhu he/him pronouns. He’s problematic as heck but I sure love him. And I also loved the very deeply uncomfortable moments of masochism, where Zhu needed to help him ground himself. I was really rooting for these two to get along, and I felt so betrayed when Ouyang left because he didn’t believe Zhu could become Emperor!
The ending tied it all together nicely but I still hurt for the things we lost when Ouyang lost faith in her.
I really liked how this book had more villains, and more queer people, and more intense moments of wondering if the ones we’re rooting for are really doing the right thing after all. Can fate can be ours to make, or does Heaven have it all planned out from the start?
Ouyang was my favorite character in this book. I loved how trans the book felt when it was told from his point of view, and how he always awarded Zhu he/him pronouns. He’s problematic as heck but I sure love him. And I also loved the very deeply uncomfortable moments of masochism, where Zhu needed to help him ground himself. I was really rooting for these two to get along, and I felt so betrayed when Ouyang left because he didn’t believe Zhu could become Emperor!
The ending tied it all together nicely but I still hurt for the things we lost when Ouyang lost faith in her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide, Torture, and Slavery
Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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
Such a twisted, dark, intense story. I really loved Sarah. I found Wee’git to be very unsettling, even if he wasn’t in most of the story.
It’s kind of a magical realism coming-of-age story, with the twist that of course, is there magic? Or are the characters just experiencing drug induced hallucinations?
Well written and well executed.
It’s kind of a magical realism coming-of-age story, with the twist that of course, is there magic? Or are the characters just experiencing drug induced hallucinations?
Well written and well executed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Stalking
Minor: Incest, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
challenging
hopeful
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
So heartwarming, so relatable, and such a tender love story.
I started this book just wondering why the parents were so cartoonishly evil - but by the end, I decided it didn’t matter. This book is queer as heck, and I don’t need any other reason to love it.
I started this book just wondering why the parents were so cartoonishly evil - but by the end, I decided it didn’t matter. This book is queer as heck, and I don’t need any other reason to love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Abandonment
Moderate: Transphobia
These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was alright.
I liked the sapphic elements, and the magic. I liked that there was a love triangle with an ex girlfriend and the new girl in town. I liked the themes of being a witch and not being able to tell anyone, juxtaposed against being a lesbian and being out about it.
The story itself had incredible pacing problems - I felt like I barely had a chance to get to know the characters and the world before all hell was breaking loose and they were being attacked by vengeful blood witches, hunters, arsonists, and some mysterious stalker set on vehicular manslaughter. It was like watching one of those teen shows on the CW. We were just trying to decide what to do about our high school crush, the loss of a first love, being in the “closet” (magically, at least) with your best friend…. I just wish this book had given me more CHARACTER moments? Because there was so much potential. The plot was too in-your-face, and it didn’t even feel that high stakes, when your main character is surviving a house fire only to be in a major car crash less than a hundred pages later.
It gets an extra star for what it COULD have been, if the author knew how to take her time.
I liked the sapphic elements, and the magic. I liked that there was a love triangle with an ex girlfriend and the new girl in town. I liked the themes of being a witch and not being able to tell anyone, juxtaposed against being a lesbian and being out about it.
The story itself had incredible pacing problems - I felt like I barely had a chance to get to know the characters and the world before all hell was breaking loose and they were being attacked by vengeful blood witches, hunters, arsonists, and some mysterious stalker set on vehicular manslaughter. It was like watching one of those teen shows on the CW. We were just trying to decide what to do about our high school crush, the loss of a first love, being in the “closet” (magically, at least) with your best friend…. I just wish this book had given me more CHARACTER moments? Because there was so much potential. The plot was too in-your-face, and it didn’t even feel that high stakes, when your main character is surviving a house fire only to be in a major car crash less than a hundred pages later.
It gets an extra star for what it COULD have been, if the author knew how to take her time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Death of parent
Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
A very enjoyable, very quick read.
Sexy, heartfelt, and funny. A happenstance meeting between a sunshine girl from Texas and a gloomy, demisexual undertaker turns into a friends-with-benefits romance, as the clock races toward the deadline of his 35th birthday, and his goal to find a wife.
Um, honestly? I loved that this book didn’t end how I expected it to. I loved that Lark decided to get grief counseling, and choose happiness. I kind of wish that I hadn’t read the epilogue, because it was more fun to IMAGINE where a slower, more loving romance might take this pair, but it wasn’t a deal breaker and I imagine some readers needed the confirmation that these two did in fact finally wed one another.
I just liked the idea that her happy ending wasn’t tied to a marriage ultimatum.
But! At the end of the day, Callum deserves to be happy, too, and I’m glad they both found each other and fell in love.
I was pleased by the demisexual and aromantic representation! This book took me by surprise. A pleasure to read, and surprisingly earnest. I will definitely check out more from this author.
Sexy, heartfelt, and funny. A happenstance meeting between a sunshine girl from Texas and a gloomy, demisexual undertaker turns into a friends-with-benefits romance, as the clock races toward the deadline of his 35th birthday, and his goal to find a wife.
I just liked the idea that her happy ending wasn’t tied to a marriage ultimatum.
But! At the end of the day, Callum deserves to be happy, too, and I’m glad they both found each other and fell in love.
I was pleased by the demisexual and aromantic representation! This book took me by surprise. A pleasure to read, and surprisingly earnest. I will definitely check out more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Ableism
Minor: Pregnancy
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love this book. Holy hell, it’s worth the hype.
Exciting, action-packed, and with a good level of steamy, sexy romance. I love the dragons and the worldbuilding - and how it’s supernatural but still so grounded and realistic feeling.
Violet is so relatable, a fish out of water in this world with ruthless assholes. I also love how she’s so turned on every tike she so much as looks at Xaden. And it was really fun to watch them surrender sanity and make out with each other in a dragon-fueled sex riot! The dragons added so much to the story and they might be my favorite part, despite how much of a hot hunky heartthrob Xaden is.
Phew!
Loved this book, and I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Exciting, action-packed, and with a good level of steamy, sexy romance. I love the dragons and the worldbuilding - and how it’s supernatural but still so grounded and realistic feeling.
Violet is so relatable, a fish out of water in this world with ruthless assholes. I also love how she’s so turned on every tike she so much as looks at Xaden. And it was really fun to watch them surrender sanity and make out with each other in a dragon-fueled sex riot! The dragons added so much to the story and they might be my favorite part, despite how much of a hot hunky heartthrob Xaden is.
Phew!
Loved this book, and I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Death
Further Arrangements by L. Rowyn
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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 was so satisfied by the ending of A Rational Arrangement that I never thought to look into this miniature sequel. Well, I’m glad I finally have!
It has even more excellent smut, even more sweet and tender polyamorous moments for our trio, and even more Greatcats. It’s a slam dunk. I would read this again in a heartbeat.
If I had one complaint about the first book, it was that the communication between Nikola and Justin was piss-poor. And this happily ever after really shows that Wisteria was the missing element that formed their relationship into a loving one. The third story is so strong and so ooey-gooey lovey-dovey it stopped my heart and left me gasping for air. I adored it.
Also Anthser and Callie getting their own short story was so perfect and well earned. I am only frustrated that their respective chapters weren’t included in book one.
It has even more excellent smut, even more sweet and tender polyamorous moments for our trio, and even more Greatcats. It’s a slam dunk. I would read this again in a heartbeat.
If I had one complaint about the first book, it was that the communication between Nikola and Justin was piss-poor. And this happily ever after really shows that Wisteria was the missing element that formed their relationship into a loving one. The third story is so strong and so ooey-gooey lovey-dovey it stopped my heart and left me gasping for air. I adored it.
Also Anthser and Callie getting their own short story was so perfect and well earned. I am only frustrated that their respective chapters weren’t included in book one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness
A Rational Arrangement by L. Rowyn
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I still love everything about this book on a second read! It has an amazing neurodivergent fmc and two completely swoonworthy mmc’s. Oh, and a polyamorous love triangle set in regency-era new world mystical planet with gigantic talking cats…. (This sounds absurd but I promise it’s one of the best parts of the book)
Tight world building, fantastic characters, and a sensational love story. I could have done without thevivid torture scene halfway through the book and would have enjoyed it even more if the undertones of homophobia and biphobia weren’t part of the story, but it did not obviously stop me from thoroughly enjoying every other part of the novel.
Wisteria is obviously the best, but on a second read, I found Ansther the greatcat to be my favorite character.
Tight world building, fantastic characters, and a sensational love story. I could have done without the
Wisteria is obviously the best, but on a second read, I found Ansther the greatcat to be my favorite character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Torture, Biphobia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Mental illness