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readsforlove's reviews
828 reviews
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I'm just not a fan of romance with such major power dynamics at play. Makes me uncomfy, and I wasn't invested enough to keep going.
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Will probably come back to this but just wasn't connecting to it this go around.
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
This book was not for me--just can't stand the omission of really obvious problems and secrets. The friendship between the two mains depends on her ignoring what he's asked from her and I'm just not about that.
A Healer's Gift by Tao Wong
4.0
Short, fun, and odd little read. I've not read a book like this that feels like anime/D&D game but I enjoyed it. I like the complexity of Daniel's gift, his easy relationships with others, and the fun of adventure. Not one to stick with you but a good time while you're there!
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Check the content warnings, please. There really should be some in the book.
It's still too fresh but review is coming. For now I'll just say that this book digs into you and changes you. It's like nothing I've ever read.
It's still too fresh but review is coming. For now I'll just say that this book digs into you and changes you. It's like nothing I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Child abuse
Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Really rushed ending, and kinda emotionally complex with commitment and kinda cheating? Almost cheating? Just uncomfy. But it all worked out in the end. I really liked how Gina wasn't a bad person, just had some toxic traits that she needed to be aware of, and it was sad/interesting how Chloe and Belle both changed who they were to fit her gaze. I'm glad they ended up together, even if it was super rushed.
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Yeah, no, I'm done. This book was not at all what I thought it was, and while well written, I was not here for the romance blooming or all the self harm for the sake of a greedy god.
Suffrage Song: The Haunted History of Gender, Race and Voting Rights in the U.S. by Caitlin Cass
5.0
I am a headstrong and independent women. I hate when people (especially men) try to tell me what to do, expecting me to just roll over and comply. I hate being talked over or ignored because I'm assumed to have no valuable contributions to things. It's annoying and frustrating and something I think about in my interactions with men.
And then I dip into history, and I see just how far society has come, and that humbles me so freaking much. I have no idea who I would have been if I had lived in our history. Would I have spoken up? Would I have fought? Would I have stood strong? Or would I have done what was expected of me? Dipping into this book made me ask questions like this--and many more--and is one of those books that I walked away from feeling like a better person. It also really delved into the harm that white women caused to people of color in their fight for suffrage. It didn't glorify the leaders of this movement, but showed them in all their dedication and ferocity AND their cruelty, callousness, and greed for women's rights above all other disenfranchised groups. And that is very uncommon. With a BA in English, I rarely heard professors talk about how white women harmed people of color, and when I did hear mention of it, it was always in a broad sense about the movement, never about specific people making choices that caused this harm and pain. That is so important to acknowledge. History should not be hidden.
Overall, a very good read. I recommend embracing the many rabbit trails of historical bread crumbs the author leaves and researching more beyond just what this book explores. We need our eyes open.
And then I dip into history, and I see just how far society has come, and that humbles me so freaking much. I have no idea who I would have been if I had lived in our history. Would I have spoken up? Would I have fought? Would I have stood strong? Or would I have done what was expected of me? Dipping into this book made me ask questions like this--and many more--and is one of those books that I walked away from feeling like a better person. It also really delved into the harm that white women caused to people of color in their fight for suffrage. It didn't glorify the leaders of this movement, but showed them in all their dedication and ferocity AND their cruelty, callousness, and greed for women's rights above all other disenfranchised groups. And that is very uncommon. With a BA in English, I rarely heard professors talk about how white women harmed people of color, and when I did hear mention of it, it was always in a broad sense about the movement, never about specific people making choices that caused this harm and pain. That is so important to acknowledge. History should not be hidden.
Overall, a very good read. I recommend embracing the many rabbit trails of historical bread crumbs the author leaves and researching more beyond just what this book explores. We need our eyes open.
The Firebird Song by Arnée Flores
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
All exposition, little actual plot happening in the beginning. And then when the story does begin, the characters are all super focused on the mission and call each other friends just cause they met each other. They don't get to know each other at all really, which was a bit frustrating, especially for middle grade. But the plot was fun, and I think kids would enjoy the magic and excitement of this book.