marissarosee's reviews
1919 reviews

Family Week by Sarah Moon

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

This book was sweet. I really enjoyed following along with these three families as they made their way to Family Week. The author does a wonderful job weaving in intense topics in a lighthearted tone and I think this is the perfect queer contemporary for kids who are looking for a found family trope. I do wish the ending was stretched out a little more. I think adding a little more to each kid's end game would have helped it not feel so fast paced, but overall I'm excited to recommend this to my middle grade patrons!

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

dark sad tense slow-paced

4.5

This book was nothing like I expected. I've never felt so smart and dumb (in a good way!) while reading something. I loved getting to explore Hell with Alice and Peter. I also loved learning about the magic system in the world. It was such an interesting concept and I'd love to read more from this world. 

Daily Report about My Witch Senpai Vol. 4 by Maka Mochida

3.0

This volume was kind of a let down. It felt too much like a filler episode for the couple. I liked learned about Misono's mom but the 'issues' the couple faced were just forced.

A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

4.5

Book 2 was SO much better than book 1 for me. I really loved being able to see Alaric and Talasyn's relationship eb and flow in this one and the spicy moments were *chef's kiss*. I'm stoked for book 3. 

I Cannot Reach You, Vol. 8 by Mika

5.0

This is one of my favorite BLs and this was such a great volume of growth for our characters.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

This book was everything I could have hoped for and I know it'll be one I reread a ton. I loved the found family in this so much. I'd honestly love to read more of these characters day to day. I couldn't stop myself from smiling through the whole thing. I know I'll be recommending this to everyone once it's published and I cannot wait to read it over again. The ending has a lot going on, but ibreally enjoyed how the story came together at the end. 

Elektra by Jennifer Saint

3.5

I have mixed feelings for this one. I've read Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati before so I went in already knowing this story. I was excited to read this one because I wanted more of Elektra's side of things and while I got that, I was more interested in Cassandra's chapters than anyone else. I knew of Cassandra but didn't know her story, so it was a nice change of pace for this book. Elektra, on the other hand, was such a weird character for me and I had a hard time really feeling sorry for her. Mostly she just annoyed me. I feel like this book should have been named after Agamemnom, since he was the constant thread for these three women, but I also know that title probably wouldn't have been favorable. 

The Song of Orphan's Garden by Nicole M. Hewitt

4.5

This was such an interesting read. This was the first book I've read that was written in verse and while poetry isn't always my thing, I really enjoyed this. I loved how each character was a different type of poetry and how magical the writing felt. I think I would have loved it even more if I had listened to it, but even still this was such a good read. 

The Odyssey translated by Robert Fagles by Homer

4.0

It's no EPIC the Musical, but I'm so glad I finally got around to reading The Odyssey in full! I've only read certain sections before so it was fun to see how the timeline actually played out. 

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

4.25

This took me forever to read. Not because I wasn't enjoying it, but I always have such a hard time getting into King Arthur retellings. I'm so glad I stuck with this though because the last 30% I was locked in. Bree was a great MC and I'm excited to see her grow in the following books. I wasn't 100% on board with Selwyn, but he grew on me towards the end. I can't wait to pick up book two.