oliviaoverthinkseverything's reviews
502 reviews

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

adventurous inspiring mysterious 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

I...I don't even know what to say about this book. I know it's only February, but I'm pretty sure this is going to be my favorite read of the entire year. At least when it comes to non-2023 releases. Seriously, I have butterflies in my stomach and feel like I'm shivering. What an amazing book. Perfection. I can't say anything else for fear of spoiling this for you. 

The Farm by Joanne Ramos

emotional sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, but I felt it ended too abruptly. Regardless, there's a lot to say about capitalism, exploitation, and white supremacy here, and with the growth of surrogacy as a commodity combined with the domestic labor sphere being largely dependent on women who have very few choices, this was a very realistic scenario to ponder. I'm going to need to find a pallette cleanser, though; this triggered a lot of visceral emotions that will take a while to recover from. 

Promises of Gold by José Olivarez

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

I first heard of José Olivarez on the NPR podcast Code Switch, and was so excited to see he had a collection coming out soon. I have never highlighted and hearted so many pages in a book of poetry. There is so much here about isolation, love, friendship, identity. I hope another collection is forthcoming. I will devour each and every one. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds—The Illyrian Enigma #2 by

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Anyone who plans to watch Season 2 of Strange New Worlds later this year, I recommend reading this comic series. I have a feeling it will be integrated into the story somehow! I can't say more without spoiling the fun. 

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

dark emotional fast-paced

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

3.0

I read this in most of a day, so the lower rating doesn't reflect readability. I was hoping for more worldbuilding/explanation of whether these folks were actually gods or if they were just a high tech/futuristic society. There's mention of going to Berkeley to study for a PhD but then also there's some kind of magical barriers between the city and the rest of the world? I don't know. I'll probably give the rest of the series a try but it wasn't what I was hoping for. Also a word of warning, it's pretty spicy if that's not your thing. (Or, if it is your thing. 😂)

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

emotional mysterious 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

5.0

I don't read a lot of murder mysteries because honestly, and this will sound like a humble brag but I promise I don't mean it to be, I almost always guess who the killer is entirely too soon. This book kept me guessing until the final reveal, and honestly I never saw the actual scenario coming. It stumped me just as much as Murder on the Orient Express did, and it shared the same claustrophobic quality with that classic as well since most of the story took place within the walls of a single home. Highly recommend. 

How Lucky by Will Leitch

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

While I feel like the plot was a little all over the place, preventing me from giving it 5*, it's been quite a while since I read a book that had me this much on edge. Think Rear Window but in the modern day, with a protagonist who is terminally ill and essentially unable to move beyond his left hand and his head, and who can't really speak without the assistance of technology. My heart raced until the end. This would be a great movie! 

Prime Meridian by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman

funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I learned so much about the 90s from reading this book! I was born in 1990, so while I was alive when all these things happened I definitely wasn't aware of them. It put a lot of things in perspective for me. Klosterman does an excellent job of weaving pop culture in with political and other major events, making it all equally relevant to understanding this turbulent decade. I look forward to reading more social histories from this author. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds—The Illyrian Enigma #1 by Mike Johnson, Kirsten Beyer

adventurous fast-paced

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

5.0