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quillnqueer's reviews
417 reviews
Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.0
The start of this book feels like a 5 star read. A sapphic couple hiding from their conservative, religious parents in small town America, Stevie and Nora are making plans to leave when the worst happens - a freak accident makes Stevie lose 2 years of her memories, forgetting Nora in the process. As none of Stevie's family or friends know Nora, there's a question of if they can ever find each other again.
Every time a YA book has a vegan in it they seem to go to extra lengths to talk about meat and animal slaughter for like the entire book. I don't need vivid descriptions of meat or for the main character to bond with a cow that's slaughtered a few pages later, and the actual vegan in the book was so blase about it? Like yeah we're handling 100 pound of meat whats the issue? It's very weird.
The romance was really well done, but I did feel a disconnect from the characters that I couldn't explain. The ending was tied up a little too neatly with a bow, and Stevie's parents reaction didn't feel realistic. I think this could have been more interesting if Stevie and Nora reconnected in college, rather than in the same town.
Every time a YA book has a vegan in it they seem to go to extra lengths to talk about meat and animal slaughter for like the entire book. I don't need vivid descriptions of meat or for the main character to bond with a cow that's slaughtered a few pages later, and the actual vegan in the book was so blase about it? Like yeah we're handling 100 pound of meat whats the issue? It's very weird.
The romance was really well done, but I did feel a disconnect from the characters that I couldn't explain. The ending was tied up a little too neatly with a bow, and Stevie's parents reaction didn't feel realistic. I think this could have been more interesting if Stevie and Nora reconnected in college, rather than in the same town.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
This is a fast paced read, told in the form of Lucy's POV mixed with Podcast interviews, conducted by Ben. I liked that Ben wasn't overly concerned with legalities or morals, without being an asshole about it, he and Lucy made a really good fit that way despite coming into this mystery from different angles.
The dry wit and sarcasm really makes this story shine, elevating what could have been a fairly generic murder mystery to a truly funny story where I was so busy laughing at Lucy's deadpan replies that I didn't care if the end reveal was good or not. Lucy's Grandmother Beverly really kept this story moving, and she was such an outrageous, flamboyant character that we really need more of in books.
While this is a really funny story, it has it's moments where it shows the darkness of domestic abuse without making light of it, and I thought this was handled extremely well. The final reveal made sense to me, and I loved that the characters, especially Savvy, were shown to be real, flawed, messy people.
The dry wit and sarcasm really makes this story shine, elevating what could have been a fairly generic murder mystery to a truly funny story where I was so busy laughing at Lucy's deadpan replies that I didn't care if the end reveal was good or not. Lucy's Grandmother Beverly really kept this story moving, and she was such an outrageous, flamboyant character that we really need more of in books.
While this is a really funny story, it has it's moments where it shows the darkness of domestic abuse without making light of it, and I thought this was handled extremely well. The final reveal made sense to me, and I loved that the characters, especially Savvy, were shown to be real, flawed, messy people.
Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
It's June, and I've found my favourite book of 2024. This is such a beautiful, hopeful story filled with so much sapphic angst, about two women who end up living alone together in the same castle. The romance is beautifully written, watching them navigate their own hurt and loneliness to finally find each other was so emotionally raw.
This sets such a high bar for romance for me, and the way Mina decides to simply turn up and annoy the Witch with her presence every just to get her attention is quite frankly, so me. They both start bonding over their interest in each other's experiences, sharing quiet breakfasts together, and parallel play even makes an appearance, something I really connected to.
Of course, there is the underlying mystery of why Mina is in the castle, and where her predecessors went, and there's a constant awareness that she may be going to her death in this castle. This story blends many fairytale stories together, and I truly had no idea what was going to be revealed when Mina started investigating. This ending of this story is so, so good.
This sets such a high bar for romance for me, and the way Mina decides to simply turn up and annoy the Witch with her presence every just to get her attention is quite frankly, so me. They both start bonding over their interest in each other's experiences, sharing quiet breakfasts together, and parallel play even makes an appearance, something I really connected to.
Of course, there is the underlying mystery of why Mina is in the castle, and where her predecessors went, and there's a constant awareness that she may be going to her death in this castle. This story blends many fairytale stories together, and I truly had no idea what was going to be revealed when Mina started investigating. This ending of this story is so, so good.
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
This story is worth reading, because it's the last of Peter and Susan's adventures in Narnia and introduces an important character, Prince Caspian. However, the story felt clunky and poorly plotted, with the strongest moment being when the Pevensies realised they were in their crumbling castle of Cair Paravel.
A good chunk is taken up when the Pevenies are told Prince Caspian's backstory, but they don't actually interact with him that much later on. The majority of the story is taken up by them travelling to another battle, which is quickly won, and they go home again.
I felt there could have been a better way of having the Pevenies come back to Narnia, and meeting Caspian without there being a battle, which overshadowed any character development they and Caspian could have had. However, it's good back story to have before Voyage Of The Dawn Treader.
A good chunk is taken up when the Pevenies are told Prince Caspian's backstory, but they don't actually interact with him that much later on. The majority of the story is taken up by them travelling to another battle, which is quickly won, and they go home again.
I felt there could have been a better way of having the Pevenies come back to Narnia, and meeting Caspian without there being a battle, which overshadowed any character development they and Caspian could have had. However, it's good back story to have before Voyage Of The Dawn Treader.
A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
This is a super cute story of a millenial woman who finds out she's a Magical Girl, right as a major event is about to happen to the Magical Girls in the country. Although this is a lighter toned story, it has discussions about financial insecurity, suicide, climate change and domestic violence, while managing to tell it in a lighthearted but thoughtful way. I think my only gripe would be that I would love it to be much longer, so the storyline and characters could be more fleshed out.
Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
4.0
It's always hard to guess where this series will go next, and after the last book where we visit Jack and Jill's past, this time we continue the story left off after Nancy leaves, bringing Sumi's daughter into the story, who is slowly disappearing. Banding together with Cora, Christopher, Kade and Nadya, they travel back to Sumi's world of sweets via Nancy's halls of the dead.
This story was a little weaker for me, because I felt that it was never quite sure who to make the main character. Early on it seemed to be Cora, and I really loved that the fat rep in this was done so well, and so positively. However it felt that sometimes Cora seemed to disappear and the POV would focus more on Rini, and perhaps this short story just struggled with one or two too many characters.
I really feel like we're establishing the world now, and I look forward to seeing where it will take us next. I like that we get to continue the story of old favourite characters, while introducing new ones and new worlds with vastly different rules. The most intriguing character for me in Christopher, and I'm hoping we get a book focused on him soon.
This story was a little weaker for me, because I felt that it was never quite sure who to make the main character. Early on it seemed to be Cora, and I really loved that the fat rep in this was done so well, and so positively. However it felt that sometimes Cora seemed to disappear and the POV would focus more on Rini, and perhaps this short story just struggled with one or two too many characters.
I really feel like we're establishing the world now, and I look forward to seeing where it will take us next. I like that we get to continue the story of old favourite characters, while introducing new ones and new worlds with vastly different rules. The most intriguing character for me in Christopher, and I'm hoping we get a book focused on him soon.
Electric Life by Rachel Delahaye
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Alara's life is rigidly controlled, her emotions dulled and she experiences no pain. After a gaming tournament sees her disqualified, she finds herself given a mission - infiltrate the world hidden below her glowing city and report back. But what happens when she finds herself falling in love with the community and people she finds there?
This started off with a bit of a Ready Player One, Ender's Game vibe but really found it's feet when Alara travelled to the world of London Below. I really started enjoying the story and the characters from this point, and shared Alara's excitement for all the new experiences and food she tried. The sense of community was really strong.
While the worlds of Estrella and London Below were well described, I did feel that I needed a little more world building, and combined with the ending that left me wanting more, I really feel this story needs a sequel to flesh out the world further and continue Alara's story. But this is a positive note - I really enjoyed this story and the characters and I want to spend more time there.
This started off with a bit of a Ready Player One, Ender's Game vibe but really found it's feet when Alara travelled to the world of London Below. I really started enjoying the story and the characters from this point, and shared Alara's excitement for all the new experiences and food she tried. The sense of community was really strong.
While the worlds of Estrella and London Below were well described, I did feel that I needed a little more world building, and combined with the ending that left me wanting more, I really feel this story needs a sequel to flesh out the world further and continue Alara's story. But this is a positive note - I really enjoyed this story and the characters and I want to spend more time there.
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
I didn't realise just how much I needed this book. Or how much the post apocalyptic, travelling through the US genre needed two queer boys navigating a new and uncertain world, while grappling with their feelings for each other and trying to find their place in the new world.
The best moments in this story were the early quiet ones. When Andrew and Jami hunkered down for a few weeks in Jami's house, Andrew telling him the plots of entire movies to pass the time. I could have spent hours with these two. However, the later introduction of Cora was much needed, and I'm hoping she's also in the sequel.
This does use the post apocalyptic tropes we know, like the creepy cults, but it didn't linger, and never felt boring - helped by the fact that they both clocked that something was wrong quickly, and chose to leave as soon as possible. The last scenes were harrowing, but I was so glad that the ending left on a hopeful note.
The best moments in this story were the early quiet ones. When Andrew and Jami hunkered down for a few weeks in Jami's house, Andrew telling him the plots of entire movies to pass the time. I could have spent hours with these two. However, the later introduction of Cora was much needed, and I'm hoping she's also in the sequel.
This does use the post apocalyptic tropes we know, like the creepy cults, but it didn't linger, and never felt boring - helped by the fact that they both clocked that something was wrong quickly, and chose to leave as soon as possible. The last scenes were harrowing, but I was so glad that the ending left on a hopeful note.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
Hitting the home stretch of this series with my childhood fave, this was almost as strong but didn't quite hold up as well - I read a lot more high fantasy these days though, I just think if this book had been a ood chunk longer it would have been so good.
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Somehow, this book managed to be both interesting and incredibly boring at the same time. The plot is unique, but comes up with so many ideas for the sole sake of filling plot holes that it often feels slightly ridiculous, but I did enjoy the feminist aspect of it and the strong, complex bond between Devon and her son.
I think that blending together the story of Devon's past with her run across the UK with her son worked quite well, as it gave us a insight into why she made the decisions she did, and kept the story interesting. Following her childhood closeted away until she can be parceled off to produce children, the decisions she makes as a child has a ripple effect on her future.
At 320 pages, I was expecting this to be a quicker read, until I opened it and realised the print is incredibly small, much like Legendborn. This is a trend I really dislike as it feels like so much more of a slog to get through even 10 pages. Although this did mean that unlike other readers, I wasn't dissatisfied with the ending, I was perfectly happy to leave.
I think that blending together the story of Devon's past with her run across the UK with her son worked quite well, as it gave us a insight into why she made the decisions she did, and kept the story interesting. Following her childhood closeted away until she can be parceled off to produce children, the decisions she makes as a child has a ripple effect on her future.
At 320 pages, I was expecting this to be a quicker read, until I opened it and realised the print is incredibly small, much like Legendborn. This is a trend I really dislike as it feels like so much more of a slog to get through even 10 pages. Although this did mean that unlike other readers, I wasn't dissatisfied with the ending, I was perfectly happy to leave.