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moony_reads's reviews
391 reviews
The Big Aquarium Adventure: Learn About Frogs, Fish, Turtles, Sharks, and Skates! by Nancy Roop
informative
fast-paced
4.0
ARC REVIEW
This is a brilliant little book telling the story of Stephen, who is easily recognised as being autistic, and his retelling of his trip to the aquarium to his friends. There are string educational elements as well as social connections.
I am reviewing this book as someone who has worked in a professional capacity in reviewing children’s books based on diversity, and this book does a good job of representing autism in a discreet yet true way.
I am also an autistic reviewer (whose special interest is aquariums and sharks) and I felt a kinship to Stephen and appreciate the small nods to his autism and his friends reactions to the way he reacts.
Finally, I am someone who works in childcare, and I would definitely recommend this as a book to teach children a little bit about social interaction and specific interests!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
This is a brilliant little book telling the story of Stephen, who is easily recognised as being autistic, and his retelling of his trip to the aquarium to his friends. There are string educational elements as well as social connections.
I am reviewing this book as someone who has worked in a professional capacity in reviewing children’s books based on diversity, and this book does a good job of representing autism in a discreet yet true way.
I am also an autistic reviewer (whose special interest is aquariums and sharks) and I felt a kinship to Stephen and appreciate the small nods to his autism and his friends reactions to the way he reacts.
Finally, I am someone who works in childcare, and I would definitely recommend this as a book to teach children a little bit about social interaction and specific interests!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
Isaac by Curtis Garner
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
ARC REVIEW
Isaac is a beautifully written and deeply emotional novel that explores queerness within the landscape of the digital age through dating apps and casual. Set against the backdrop of a single transformative summer in London, Isaac has his first hook up, which spirals into more until be meets Harrison, a broody man 11 years his elder. The relationship Isaac forms with Harrison is new, exciting and curious, until Harrison begins to let his true colours show at the detriment of Isaac.
Garner's work perfectly captures the intensity of late adolescence, where emotions are all-consuming, and you are expected to be mature and childlike at the same time. The novel is nuanced and skilful, tackling difficult and controversial topics as it delves into the life of a queer adolescent on a journey of self-discovery. Through its authentic portrayal of obsession, desire, power dynamics and the risks of firsts and becoming someone you aren’t, Isaac offers readers a new perspective on intimacy and coming of age in a modern, digital world.
Isaac is Curtis Garner’s debut novel and is a brilliant start for this talented author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Verve Books for the ARC!
Isaac is a beautifully written and deeply emotional novel that explores queerness within the landscape of the digital age through dating apps and casual. Set against the backdrop of a single transformative summer in London, Isaac has his first hook up, which spirals into more until be meets Harrison, a broody man 11 years his elder. The relationship Isaac forms with Harrison is new, exciting and curious, until Harrison begins to let his true colours show at the detriment of Isaac.
Garner's work perfectly captures the intensity of late adolescence, where emotions are all-consuming, and you are expected to be mature and childlike at the same time. The novel is nuanced and skilful, tackling difficult and controversial topics as it delves into the life of a queer adolescent on a journey of self-discovery. Through its authentic portrayal of obsession, desire, power dynamics and the risks of firsts and becoming someone you aren’t, Isaac offers readers a new perspective on intimacy and coming of age in a modern, digital world.
Isaac is Curtis Garner’s debut novel and is a brilliant start for this talented author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Verve Books for the ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
This book is insane!! I bought it on a whim because I liked the cover and oh my god I do not regret it one bit!! The plot is so well thought out and executed and the characters are brilliant! It’s pretty unlike anything I’ve read and has a genuinely unique storyline and I loved it!
Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
As an autistic writer who works in childcare, I am so so glad kids have books like this now. I unashamedly sat reading this, white-knuckled with tears on my cheeks because I wish wish wish I had McNicoll’s work as a child. I want to be a similar voice for neurodiverse kids. I want them to feel seen the way I didn’t. Elle McNicoll does it beautifully with intricate, well written stories with characters that are real and needed.
Lightborne by Hesse Phillips
slow-paced
4.0
ARC REVIEW
Lightborne tells the story of playwrite Christopher “Kit” Marlowe in the weeks leading up to his death. The novel is filled with complexities and political intrigue as the story unfolds, revealing the tricks and betrayals amongst the high societies and the backstreets of Elizabethan London.
The novel is historic fiction at it’s finest and Phillips has highly researched the topic and setting and has rendered it really really well.
A very solid debut and I look forward to what Phillips does next!
Thank you to Atlantic Books and Netgalley for the ARC!
Lightborne tells the story of playwrite Christopher “Kit” Marlowe in the weeks leading up to his death. The novel is filled with complexities and political intrigue as the story unfolds, revealing the tricks and betrayals amongst the high societies and the backstreets of Elizabethan London.
The novel is historic fiction at it’s finest and Phillips has highly researched the topic and setting and has rendered it really really well.
A very solid debut and I look forward to what Phillips does next!
Thank you to Atlantic Books and Netgalley for the ARC!
Desert Echoes by Abdi Nazemian
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
ARC REVIEW
Desert Echoes follows Kam, as he grapples with the disappearance of his boyfriend Ash in Joshua Tree National Park. As he struggles with his grief, Kam faces pressure from his Iranian parents, who don’t understand his sexuality, as well as the breakdown of their relationship due to his father’s addiction. Kam’s classmates suspect and blame him for Ash’s disappearance, while his best friend urges him to move on. When a school group plans a trip back to Joshua Tree, Kam has to decide if revisiting will create more pain than healing.
Abdi Nazemian’s novel is a powerful exploration of heartbreak and resilience, told through alternating timelines of Kam and Ash’s relationship and Kam’s struggle to accept Ash's absence. Like in Only This Beautiful Moment, Nazemiam explores generational trauma, queerness in culture and grief beautifully, following Kam’s inner turmoil and the complicated dynamics with his family and friends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Tiger Group for the ARC
Desert Echoes follows Kam, as he grapples with the disappearance of his boyfriend Ash in Joshua Tree National Park. As he struggles with his grief, Kam faces pressure from his Iranian parents, who don’t understand his sexuality, as well as the breakdown of their relationship due to his father’s addiction. Kam’s classmates suspect and blame him for Ash’s disappearance, while his best friend urges him to move on. When a school group plans a trip back to Joshua Tree, Kam has to decide if revisiting will create more pain than healing.
Abdi Nazemian’s novel is a powerful exploration of heartbreak and resilience, told through alternating timelines of Kam and Ash’s relationship and Kam’s struggle to accept Ash's absence. Like in Only This Beautiful Moment, Nazemiam explores generational trauma, queerness in culture and grief beautifully, following Kam’s inner turmoil and the complicated dynamics with his family and friends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Tiger Group for the ARC
Whispers Most Foul by Emma MacDonald
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ARC REVIEW
Rose is a student of a magical school but she's unable to cast her own spells. When another student goes missing though she finds herself being haunted by the ghost of that student and she has no idea how to deal with it or who to tell about it since necromancy is forbidden in the empire.
I really enjoyed how tense and spooky this novel is, it’s a perfect October read! From the start, the ghost and haunting elements are brilliantly written and genuinely eery and it's easy to be scared for the main character.
The plot is well developed and builds in tension and conspiracy really well.
The worldbuilding, however, is where it lacks. We know very little about the world beyond the school which caused the story to falter slightly.
All in all it was an enjoyable read and great for the season!
Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph/PRH for the ARC!
Rose is a student of a magical school but she's unable to cast her own spells. When another student goes missing though she finds herself being haunted by the ghost of that student and she has no idea how to deal with it or who to tell about it since necromancy is forbidden in the empire.
I really enjoyed how tense and spooky this novel is, it’s a perfect October read! From the start, the ghost and haunting elements are brilliantly written and genuinely eery and it's easy to be scared for the main character.
The plot is well developed and builds in tension and conspiracy really well.
The worldbuilding, however, is where it lacks. We know very little about the world beyond the school which caused the story to falter slightly.
All in all it was an enjoyable read and great for the season!
Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph/PRH for the ARC!