marpar12's reviews
7 reviews

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I read this as I searched for a book I read in junior high. This wasn’t it, but it was so good. I love retellings of princess tales, and this did such a good job of it. Ani experiences such interesting character development, and the twist with her betrothed was so unexpected! The movement of the story is good, and the book is simple. 

Redwall by Brian Jacques

adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

4.0

I remember watching the cartoon series Redwall as a child, and enjoying it. I decided to read this, because the audiobook had a full cast, and I joined a challenge to listen to a full cast audiobook. What a wonderful decision to choose this, what a warm childhood delight. Obviously it is quite formulaic, but that does not take away from the fact that it is so lovable. The characters feel so familiar, and being able to enjoy a story about what is right, and good winning is very refreshing in a world that is so difficult to live in.

Spear by Nicola Griffith

adventurous inspiring mysterious fast-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? No

4.5

This was absolutely magnificent. I tore through it in two nights, you could easily finish it in a day. A riveting retelling of Sir Perceval of the round table that’s set in such a beautiful world. Nicola Griffith gets me EVERY TIME.
It explores difficult maternal relationships, and struggling with the search for approval. So good.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

4.0

I didn’t read any description of this book before I read it, that’s pretty normal for me. I don’t know why the cover did not clearly communicate me that this would be LGBTQIA+ themes, but I was quickly surprised. It was so sweet, and the character development in Arthur was so charming to witness. The characters may not be amazingly written, like from a literary perspective, but they are such sweetie pies. It was a joy to read them. Also I love historical fiction, re-examining old stories, and this did that in a way that was different than what I had initially expected, and enjoyed it so much more, because it was even further a departure than I thought it would be.

Matrix by Lauren Groff

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This was such an odd ride.

I bought it at the recommendation of a book seller after I told them I loved Hild, so this is definitely in my general wheelhouse of living medieval stories, especially about women BUT it was a very different style.

I did not particularly enjoy this book, it was fine. I feel like it flirted from one thing to the next in an odd way, and the main character’s imperious nature never seemed to lessen.

The descriptions of her childhood were a great redemption, and some side characters— though widely unexplored in the narrative— were brief respites from the main story. 

Menewood by Nicola Griffith

adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

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

3.5

How much I loved Hild to this book was a huge disappointment. The author spent a decade writing this after Hild, and I don’t think that was for the better. It seems to double down on any week points in the first book and prop them up as if strengths. The first third of the book is so devastating as to be stunning, and so much of the rest of the book feels aimless. Very little if the beauty and majesty of the first book.

Hild by Nicola Griffith

adventurous challenging inspiring medium-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

One of the most gripping and moving books I’ve ever read. I have been enthusiastically recommending it to anyone who will listen. It’s complicated and difficult in parks, shocking in others, but written in a way you can flow with the story as it moves beautifully. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Violence, and Incest