raquelrose's reviews
23 reviews

A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe

funny informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Death of parent, Ableism, and Excrement

Minor: Homophobia, Medical content, Dysphoria, Animal cruelty, and Dementia

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Mental illness, Alcohol, Homophobia, Cursing, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, and Suicidal thoughts

Heidi (Heidi, #1-2) by Johanna Spyri

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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? No

3.75

When reviewing this, I found out this story is translated into English from German which makes a lot of sense because the writing would sometimes be stiff and strangely worded. I was reading a different edition of the book though. This edition is the only one I am able to review on here so I can't really know if this translation is any better. However, I still enjoyed it. I really am kind of a sucker for these kinds of stories; a lovely, lively little girl changing people's lives with healing power of nature so integral to the plot that it almost becomes another character. It's a tad preachy though, especially right towards the end, with the main character Heidi finding faith in God. Though I'm not religious, I personally find it quite interesting to know what messages the author wanted to bring into the mind of the reader. I find reading older books fascinating in this way also because of the historical references embedded into the story; like what Swiss Alps folk might have eaten, what might've been important to them, and the differences between them and townsfolk.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism and Emotional abuse

Minor: Animal cruelty

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Alcohol, Kidnapping, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Animal death, Rape, Child death, and Sexism

The Complete Guide to Self Care: Best Practices for a Healthier and Happier You by Kiki Ely

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

2.25

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

4.75

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.75