smoladeryn's reviews
167 reviews

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Finna by Nino Cipri

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I really, really wanted to like this but I think I’m a bit too old for it and have read or experienced way too much. This would possibly be a great novella for young adult audiences but left me cringing SO often. 

This read like a lot of Queer Twitter and Tumblr catch phrases and very typical Queer complaining. I admit some might find that fun to read in a science fiction story but it just felt like trying too hard and too on the nose. 

The base idea has the makings of great satire ala Douglas Adams (especially the Dirk Gently books), but the execution sadly isn’t there. 

Maybe it’s because I just finished one of the best 2SLGBTQIA science fictions I’ve ever read but this 41 year old non-binary queer cringed every time there was the word misgendering or some other hammer-it-home-with-zero-subtlety line. 

I don’t like leaving a less than stellar review for queer fiction because it feels like ruining the chances of my own community, and at the same time, it’s best not to celebrate something just because it’s queer. 

I will look forward to the day this author can hone their craft! For now, this would likely be good if directed to a younger audience. 

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

4.0

Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

challenging inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0