magnolia_reading's reviews
557 reviews

Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline

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challenging medium-paced

3.5

A great retelling of a classic. It has better representation than the original and addresses the racism at the time more accurately. You don’t have to have read the original to appreciate this one. I love the idea of the remixed- modern version of the classics. 
Lady Ludmilla's Accidental Letter by Sofi Laporte

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

4.0

So cute, despite a miscommunication or mistaken identity trope. The dialogue is fresh and witty. Ive already put the second book on my Libby TBR. A fade to black, slow burn & pg13 spice level. 
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

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hopeful informative mysterious fast-paced

3.5

A cozy Japanese setting where a father, daughter and cat help patrons recreate dishes.  Pick this up if you love eating or cooking Asian food. It gave me so many ideas. The stories get a bit predictable but that’s what kinda makes it cozy, right?
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

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dark funny tense fast-paced

5.0

If Jane Eyre was a serial killer and fell into Saltburn. It’s a combo of dark humor, gothic Victorian setting, gore and some underlying sexual elements. I loved it! 
A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams

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medium-paced

3.0

Be aware that sickle cell and life expectancy is discussed throughout this book. The added plot element of the seventh grade daughter- written more like a 4th grader got on my nerves. I feel like if the daughter was less of a plot line we would have gotten more in depth character development between the two main characters. 
The Ancient Magus' Bride, Vol. 1 by Kore Yamazaki

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

2.75

This is my first manga annnnnd I don’t know if it’s for me. The art is beautiful while the text can sometimes be tiny and hard to read (I’m old & with glasses) over all SO MUCH happened and everyone has like 3 names or titles to keep up with!?! Also I hate the fact that she’s 15 and there are some underlying sexual elements and references. I’m all for an age gap but I need it to be legal. I don’t think I’ll continue the books but I’ll give the show a try. 
#Blessed By Malakai by Sherelle Green

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1.0

DNFed at 20% despite it only being a 5hr audiobook. It began with him running away from a mob of women wanting to have sex with him. It was like a bad dream sequence and just got worse from there 😕
Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters

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lighthearted medium-paced

2.75

This is a lighthearted YA version of Red White & Royal Blue. So cute and really captured the teen attitudes. I did the audiobook version and there were multiple confusing accents. It’s a great coming of age story!