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rambles's reviews
52 reviews
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I think this book could have used a few more rounds of edits. There were some points that dragged but the good parts were really good. The ending is wild in the best way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Encanto: Nightmares and Sueños by Alex Segura
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
I loved Encanto and Bruno was a stand out from the film so I was excited about a book from his POV. It was disappointing. It had great ideas and a good message but the execution wasn't that great.
Like, I know Encanto is for kids, but kids don't need to be spoon-fed things you know. I wish this hadn't the vibes of something I could recommend to the age that Bruno and the triplets are in the story. Encanto has more story baked into it, and I hope we get more. Just maybe handled better.
Also! The people who chase down Alma and Pedro's group are called conquistadors in the book. Twice. They get called the correct thing the last time they're mentioned (Colombian soldiers), so I'm just like ????
Like, I know Encanto is for kids, but kids don't need to be spoon-fed things you know. I wish this hadn't the vibes of something I could recommend to the age that Bruno and the triplets are in the story. Encanto has more story baked into it, and I hope we get more. Just maybe handled better.
Also! The people who chase down Alma and Pedro's group are called conquistadors in the book. Twice. They get called the correct thing the last time they're mentioned (Colombian soldiers), so I'm just like ????
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent and War
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
You would probably pick up this up if you love books about books enjoy fantasy worldbuilding expecting a cozy story. You get a cozy story don't get me wrong. What I didn't expect was the deep undertones. It speaks to grief, abuse, the trauma of living through a revolution, and how knowledge should be for everyone. In an age of book banning and restricting of knowledge this feels like a rebellion wrapped in a cozy blanket. It's not subtle in these themes but I read this during the 2024 US Elections. I wasn't looking for subtle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse
A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
The only reason it's not a 5 is the romance felt rushed but if you're a love at first sight believer then that won't be a problem. Otherwise I loved this book. Perfect Halloween vibes. There's tension but nothing too dark happens, the mental visual of the climax is pretty damn cool, and I like this world the author has built. I was worried it was going to be too cozy at first but I think it has some good spooks. Good commentary about how we may respect our elders but they are far from perfect. I would love more stories from this world.
"Stop it, Kate," I whisper, covering my eyes with one hand. "If you suspect the cat, that officially makes you a crazy person."
"Stop it, Kate," I whisper, covering my eyes with one hand. "If you suspect the cat, that officially makes you a crazy person."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored the first book but I remember thinking I would love to get into Arthur's mind and this sequel delivered. It's everything a sequel should be. It picks up on threads from the first book, shows growth of the characters, raises the stakes, and leave you with the same joy you felt with the first one. Sal's growth was my favorite it made me so happy. I laughed and I cried and I blew through this one faster than I have any other book this year.
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
It's a fun ride The main character is like if a gender flipped Deadpool got isekaied into a fantasy world and instead of healing powers got stuck in a time loop. Looking forward to the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Rape
Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I adored this mix of Polish Folklore, Beauty and the Beast, and Howl's Moving Castle. It has the perfect found family vibes. My only complaint is how fast everything happens in universe time. All that happened in four months. That's a wild four months. Loved the narrator for the audiobook too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, and Blood