marywjensen's reviews
644 reviews

Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends by Lee Bennett Hopkins

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz

lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Little dragon not good at normal dragon things. But he finds a new kind of golden hoard. Lovely art!

Impact Winter Season 2 by Travis Beacham

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a twist at the end! Another fantastic season. Sounds amazing, gripping story, flawed characters. Loved this follow up to Darcy and Hope's tale. Lots about trust and resilience.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail

Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story by Nicole Maines

adventurous challenging emotional 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

I wasn't expecting the crossover with Galaxy, but it was such a natural fit. Even in an alien utopia, not everyone is comfortable with a trans alien who inherits the powers her sister expected. All about belonging and trust, and discovering what we want for our authentic selves. 

Teen Titans: Starfire by Kami Garcia

adventurous inspiring fast-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

5.0

I have been loving this series. It was great seeing some EDS rep with the main character Kori. I hope her powers don't "fix" her. Cyborg is also introduced in this one. I can't wait for the next book, Teen Titans Together!

I'm Glad for What I Have by Rachel Cruze

inspiring fast-paced

3.0

Love the art. Was expecting a book about gratitude, maybe about Thanksgiving (based on the fall cover). Instead, discovered that the message is God fills us up.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

emotional informative sad 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

5.0

An emotional book about the woman that served in Vietnam. Frankie had a lot of struggles both during and after the war. But there is healing and hope. I appreciated learning more about this other side of the war. Women can be heroes. Kristin Hannah did an excellent job showing all this through one woman's journey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, War

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Drug abuse, Car accident, Alcohol

Long Chills and Case Dough by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

The cyberpunk noir was not my style. Only got through it because it was short. Did have some interesting twists.

Into the Windwracked Wilds by A. Deborah Baker

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.0

An encounter with the Queen of Swords. Be careful what you wish for and the bargains you make. I am looking forward to the conclusion.

Sustain Your Author Career: Using the Enneagram to cultivate our gifts, deepen our connections, and triumph over adversity by Claire Taylor

informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

I think I will get more out of this later. I did love all the examples for each type. I took lots of notes!