noahhawthorne's reviews
351 reviews

Salt Houses by Hala Alyan

dark emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

A compelling generational story that is beautiful and heartbreaking. The characters are unabashedly real, and I liked seeing the different sides of them through the other members of the family. An emotional story that will last with me a lifetime.

Dark Moon, Shallow Sea by David R. Slayton

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

An incredible cast of characters, from the main characters to the supporting ones. Everyone in the story mattered, as did every detail. The world building was unique and dark, offering a glimpse of a world without the moon. There was so much build up in the first half, and while I do wish the main characters spent more time together than they did, the ending was incredibly satisfying. There is romance, but I wouldn't say it's the main focus. To me, it was finding yourself and rising from the ashes of the person you thought you were. I want more of this world, these characters. I would follow Raef and Seth anywhere. 

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.5

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious slow-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

4.5

Venom & Vow by Elliott McLemore, Anna-Marie McLemore

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The Alchemy Of Moonlight by David Ferraro

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense slow-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

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Brutal, beautiful, and will shake you to the core. 

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense slow-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

5.0

Silver in the Wood & Drowned Country by Emily Tesh

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Crier's War by Nina Varela

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-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

3.75