paper_mache_reader's Reviews (253)

Daughters of Sparta

Claire Heywood

4.0

dark emotional fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A wonderful reimagining of the events of the Trojan war from alternating perspectives of Helen and Clytemnestra, from their shared childhood to the end of the Iliad, their stories are intertwined in more ways than one.

Both sisters exist in antiquity as "bad women", bad wives, and rulebreakers. This book provides character based insight as to why they broke from the stifling standards of their society.

Sistersong

Lucy Holland

4.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad fast-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

This is a retelling of a folk ballad that is explicitly queer, absolutely wonderful, and truly emotional. I was greatly affected the whole time I was reading.

The Chosen and the Beautiful

Nghi Vo

4.75

adventurous dark reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This beautiful reimagining of the Great Gatsby is explicitly queer, wonderfully diverse, and explores magic and infernal dealings in a breathtaking way. This book has an amazing ability to explore how loving someone can be the worst thing for you when the person is wrong. Amazing, I don't think I'll ever get over the ending.