Scan barcode
sarah_cameron's reviews
103 reviews
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Okay I really loved this book
It was incredibly tender and sweet. A slowburn, gorgeously written epic-romance, and damn I have never believed in soulmates more
McQuiston has a way of making a story both simple and complicated and just so real. I loved RW&RB because I could escape into this other world where life changing politics and romances were possible, but I loved this book because it was so genuine. Despite the sci-fi element, it was so grounded in real emotions and experiences and reactions and relationships and found family that just seemed true and relatable and cathartic and I’m so jealous of anyone who gets to read this book for the first time
It was weirdly healing, and just gahhh
There are also a number of topics tackled realistically but in a gentle way that, despite the historical (and residual and current) trauma, are handled carefully and in a way that leaves you optimistic. Within this, I would note CWs for homophobia, hate crimes, racism, and fire injury/death
Finally, the secondary characters are so vibrant and well fleshed out and queer and just wonderful. I love the community they form and their relationship to our protagonist but also to so many other people and places, and they really do add to the story and the warm feeling you get every time you pick it up
Basically, please read this book. It’s the epic sapphic romance we all deserve, and I can’t wait to read more from McQuiston in the future
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Vomit, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, and Alcoholism
The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
This was a really fun read! It really feels like you’re reading old fairy tales that have been whispered over generations - the writing style is very distinctive to fit this genre in a way that’s different to Bardugo’s usual writing style but it’s done perfectly!
As is often the case in collections of stories, some appealed to me more than others. Special shout out to ‘The Witch of Duva’ and ‘When Water Sang Fire’, I really lost myself in these two, they were so enchanting! However, even among the others, the narratives are really strong, the lessons are clear without beating you over the head with them, and my god the ILLUSTRATIONS! Gorgeous.
Highly recommend for an accessible, introspective, and magical read
As is often the case in collections of stories, some appealed to me more than others. Special shout out to ‘The Witch of Duva’ and ‘When Water Sang Fire’, I really lost myself in these two, they were so enchanting! However, even among the others, the narratives are really strong, the lessons are clear without beating you over the head with them, and my god the ILLUSTRATIONS! Gorgeous.
Highly recommend for an accessible, introspective, and magical read
Callum's Spellbook (the Dragon Prince), Volume 1 by Tracey West
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Honestly this book is my favourite in the series so far.
Did it have its issues? Yeah. Were there some lines where I was like ‘huh?’ Yeah. These are the kind of criticisms that everyone is pretty well aware of across SJM books so I won’t bring them up here, but if you’re wondering if they’re present in this book also then the answer is yes.
Outside of those areas, this is a well written book, and I’m always here for a story about a man who comes from privileged getting knocked down a few pegs, reflecting on his past problematic behaviour, and learning to accept responsibility and become a better person and friend. So much healthier and more refreshing than the cancel culture we tend to see. I honestly don’t understand all the hate this book gets? Maybe people are so hung up on what Chaol has done before (which was pretty awful and I’m not discounting that) they didn’t think he deserved to learn and grow? But like everyone does, and we should give people the space to do exactly that. Is Chaol a perfect and unproblematic character at the end of this book? Of course not, but neither are any of the other MCs in the series. I thought he had a well-written arc, I like that it wasn’t linear, and we stan personal growth here.
I don’t have loads to say about Nesryn, mainly because she’s wonderful and I love her and that’s pretty much that. I’m so glad she got to reconnect with her heritage and culture and people, that she never lacked a love for herself, but that we got to see this grow and her put herself first for a change. It was a great journey of rediscovering and prioritising herself, and I love how this was done for her.
Yrene. Love of my life. What a queen. Perfect? Also no. But she had wonderful internal journey where she reconnected with her inner child, solidified her understanding of her worth and value, and deconstructed in a healthy and realistic way. I thought her journey was well done, I love seeing a well-rounded and developed character who isn’t ‘strong’ because her primary trait is that she can kick ass. Don’t get me wrong - Yrene can absolutely hold her own, but she does not value or seek out violence, and instead has strength in her compassion and determination and that’s very refreshing.
Basically, let’s stop hating on this book and let people make mistakes, then learn and grow from them. This is something we should be pushing to see more of. There’s never anything lost from giving characters - and people - a little bit of empathy.
Did it have its issues? Yeah. Were there some lines where I was like ‘huh?’ Yeah. These are the kind of criticisms that everyone is pretty well aware of across SJM books so I won’t bring them up here, but if you’re wondering if they’re present in this book also then the answer is yes.
Outside of those areas, this is a well written book, and I’m always here for a story about a man who comes from privileged getting knocked down a few pegs, reflecting on his past problematic behaviour, and learning to accept responsibility and become a better person and friend. So much healthier and more refreshing than the cancel culture we tend to see. I honestly don’t understand all the hate this book gets? Maybe people are so hung up on what Chaol has done before (which was pretty awful and I’m not discounting that) they didn’t think he deserved to learn and grow? But like everyone does, and we should give people the space to do exactly that. Is Chaol a perfect and unproblematic character at the end of this book? Of course not, but neither are any of the other MCs in the series. I thought he had a well-written arc, I like that it wasn’t linear, and we stan personal growth here.
I don’t have loads to say about Nesryn, mainly because she’s wonderful and I love her and that’s pretty much that. I’m so glad she got to reconnect with her heritage and culture and people, that she never lacked a love for herself, but that we got to see this grow and her put herself first for a change. It was a great journey of rediscovering and prioritising herself, and I love how this was done for her.
Yrene. Love of my life. What a queen. Perfect? Also no. But she had wonderful internal journey where she reconnected with her inner child, solidified her understanding of her worth and value, and deconstructed in a healthy and realistic way. I thought her journey was well done, I love seeing a well-rounded and developed character who isn’t ‘strong’ because her primary trait is that she can kick ass. Don’t get me wrong - Yrene can absolutely hold her own, but she does not value or seek out violence, and instead has strength in her compassion and determination and that’s very refreshing.
Basically, let’s stop hating on this book and let people make mistakes, then learn and grow from them. This is something we should be pushing to see more of. There’s never anything lost from giving characters - and people - a little bit of empathy.
You And Me on Vacation by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I think this is probably the best romance I’ve ever read
Admittedly, I love stories with two timelines that slowly converge. I think they’re an excellent way of building suspense, showing character development over time, and building a rich history, especially when exploring a relationship with a lot of history. Henry does this masterfully.
I was enraptured in this book pretty much from the beginning. Our protagonist is loveable and fun and complicated, she’s independent and complete, she has a family and friends and passions and things she thrives at and things she doesn’t. Her character stands on her own, which I really appreciate in a romance. There’s dependence, sure. But not co-dependence. The balance is struck really nicely, and it means I can uncomplicatedly love and root for their relationship.
Another thing I love about this book is that it’s almost a romance on a technicality - you haven’t met slow burn til you read this -I’m talking ten freaking years slow burn . But gosh is the payoff worth it. The thing is, in real life platonic relationships, you can love each other as deeply and fully as in romantic relationships. And though eventually that’s the form this relationship takes, I love that there’s this foundation of trust and devotion between two people who truly and completely know and accept each other. It’s beautiful and sweet and all-consuming and I loved this book.
There were a lot of quotes that jumped out at me, but one of my favourites has to be“Maybe things can always get better between people who want to do a good job loving each other. Maybe that’s all it takes.”
Admittedly, I love stories with two timelines that slowly converge. I think they’re an excellent way of building suspense, showing character development over time, and building a rich history, especially when exploring a relationship with a lot of history. Henry does this masterfully.
I was enraptured in this book pretty much from the beginning. Our protagonist is loveable and fun and complicated, she’s independent and complete, she has a family and friends and passions and things she thrives at and things she doesn’t. Her character stands on her own, which I really appreciate in a romance. There’s dependence, sure. But not co-dependence. The balance is struck really nicely, and it means I can uncomplicatedly love and root for their relationship.
Another thing I love about this book is that it’s almost a romance on a technicality - you haven’t met slow burn til you read this -
There were a lot of quotes that jumped out at me, but one of my favourites has to be