orangewitchling's reviews
61 reviews

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book was difficult and interesting to explore, it wasn’t something I could read in one sitting. The short story collection was heartbreaking, scary and enthralling at the same time. My favorite story remained the first one throughout the book, but now I have  more books to read from the different authors showcased.
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

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hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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? N/A

5.0

One of the best books I’ve ever read and that I cannot wait to reread!! 
Reading it felt like a warm empathetic hug in times when dejection and numbness are the only feelings left. This book left me in a better mental and emotional place than when I started it.  
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I really enjoyed this book! It was dark and gothic all centered about family secrets. 
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was an interesting read, very much a satire. The mythological characters very extreme in their nature, which made sense for the plot and it offered some comedic relief. In my opinion, the characters as a whole (both mortal and immortal) were bland and quite immature in their behavior. It was a fun read and refreshing. I’m more of a character driven plot, which is why I probably feel a bit meh about it, but I’m glad I read it.
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

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emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed the trans perspective on the Victorian romance setting. I think because the Victorian romance plot is so predictable, it was easier to focus on the characters point of view since it was all from a non-heteronormative perspective. Even though, I empathize with the LGBTQ community, I don’t have a grasp on all their struggles, so it was very refreshing to get the trans perspective in a relatable way. on a different note, it was a slow book because and there was a lot of angst at the beginning with plenty of feeling exploration. However, I think that it worked in favor of the character growth and the story. 
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My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

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challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book was short, but packed a punch. I really enjoyed it! It’s all about the sisters relationship and family trauma. 
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Bellwether by Connie Willis

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I really liked this book! I laughed many times throughout it and I found it deeply relatable and enjoyable. There’s no action, but plenty of nerd talk and fun facts so if that’s not your thing, avoid it! The book is enter in the sense that it happens in a workplace setting and it showcases the coworker struggles and friendships, corporate issues in an almost satirical way. There’s a touch of romance, but toward the very end though there’s a slow buildup since the beginning. 
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

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challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Exalted by Anna Dorn

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dark funny slow-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

2.5

It’s surprisingly funny, but the characters are incredibly annoying and to top it off I heard the audiobook and I cringed with every word. It was a bit too slow for me so I skipped the whole second part lol, but the first and last part were entertaining enough. Overall, not my kind of book but the plot was so unhinged that I had to finish it.
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A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Caña

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

3.0