marywjensen's reviews
644 reviews

Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Lovely art. Bittersweet story about loss and how we move forward together after. Mostly told in pictures. Interesting twist that the text reads almost the same front to back as end to front.

HoverGirls by Geneva Bowers

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Dreamer's Nightmare by Nicole Andelfinger

adventurous 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? It's complicated

5.0

I like that all these are side stories and prequels that don't require being caught up on the show. Exran and Callum have to solve a mystery when the adults are out of commission. It was great seeing the early potential in these characters. Enjoyed the story and art.

Mermaids: Art, Symbolism and Mythology by Axel Müller, Ben Williamson, Christopher Halls

informative

4.0

Interesting information on the art and thematic history and evolution of mermaids. I learned a lot, and enjoyed all the pictures.

Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon

emotional informative tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Powerful book about missing indigenous women. This is more thriller than mystery, especially as not all the mystery is resolved. Though that is the sad reality. Quill has to take a lot of matters into her own hands, risking her safety to try to fight for other women.

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

4.0

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Haunting and gothic. Was easier to read (well, listen to in this case) than I expected for a classic. We are almost entirely in Eleanor's head, and seeing her progression and emotions through the story gave a very immersive experience. The writing on the wall gave me chills.

Writing with Pleasure by Helen Sword, Selina Tusitala Marsh

informative reflective

3.0

I liked the idea of SPACE and the aesthetics of writing. Book is more geared to academic writing.  I enjoyed some of the anecdotes and examples from students, but I felt they were too frequent.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional hopeful slow-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

In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens

adventurous emotional tense 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

5.0

This was a delightful queer romance,  with a surprising fairytale twist. Great chemistry and a lot of tension. These characters do not have it easy, but do find love so all is worth it in the end. I really enjoyed that the prince had a full and realistic family with a great sibling dynamic.