mallorieluna's reviews
95 reviews

Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

dark emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I couldn't help but be reminded of Howl's Moving Castle while reading this, a lovely story of self acceptance and the love that comes with it.

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Feast of Sparks by Sierra Simone

emotional 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

4.0

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I wish the description of this story had been a little more forthcoming. I don't think enough work was done to justify the twist, characters felt more like caricatures than real people so it was very difficult to like anyone at al, even the "hero" characters. This felt more like two different stories stuck together and neither one of them fully finished.

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? No

3.75

The ending felt a little abrupt to me, after all the build up and tension of the start of the story to suddenly be at the end the way we were felt a little jarring. But I really liked the characters and the generational ties between family explored in real and magical ways.

Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-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

4.0

Another fun romp with a paladin of the Saint of Steel. I really loved the banter and the yearning of this particular romance. Though I think at times we rehashed the same recurring thoughts one too many times, I still really enjoyed myself through out.

How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler

inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

The weaving of a life through the science of the ocean and the creatures that live therein creates a whole that becomes wider than either part. A reminder we are all just creatures in our own ways and to see ourselves through that lense at times. I'll be thinking about this one for some time to come.

Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky

adventurous challenging reflective tense fast-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

4.5

A story about community in ways we've never begun to consider, it feels especially poignant in today's world and the sort of thing that we should all think about more critically.

The Prospects by KT Hoffman

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.75