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stardustandrockets's reviews
374 reviews
This Blood That Binds Us by S.L. Cokeley
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking
Minor: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
And They Were Roommates by Page Powars
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I absolutely enjoyed this book! I'm not the target audience, but Charlie was likeable and often his anxiety gave me anxiety. Knowing that he wanted to keep his head down and make it through the semester unnoticed was admirable, but I knew right from the start that wasn't going to happen.
Seeing Charlie make friends despite his best efforts was heartwarming. I was really rooting for him to realize that he was worthy of friends and didn't need to be so invisible like he thought his mom wanted. And said group of friends? I LOVE them! Blaze, the 12 year-old self-proclaimed destroyer (of worlds), was dramatic in only the way a 12 y/o can.
Finding out Jasper orchestrated them to be roommates? Did NOT see that coming. And the bookshelf? Talk about grand gesture. I love them so much!!
The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Charlie and Jasper was *chef's kiss*! One of my all-time favorite tropes! And being stuck together in a room at boarding school? Even better.
If you don't have this one on your radar, you won't want to miss it! The shenanigans are perfect and it would be a fantastic addition to any lover of love's bookshelf.
Seeing Charlie make friends despite his best efforts was heartwarming. I was really rooting for him to realize that he was worthy of friends and didn't need to be so invisible like he thought his mom wanted. And said group of friends? I LOVE them! Blaze, the 12 year-old self-proclaimed destroyer (of worlds), was dramatic in only the way a 12 y/o can.
The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Charlie and Jasper was *chef's kiss*! One of my all-time favorite tropes! And being stuck together in a room at boarding school? Even better.
If you don't have this one on your radar, you won't want to miss it! The shenanigans are perfect and it would be a fantastic addition to any lover of love's bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia
I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A huge thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!
I have been a massive fan of Kelly Andrew's work since I first read THE WHISPERING DARK in 2023. The way she ties her disability and life experience into her books is really impactful to readers that might also be going through something similar. Generally I'm not a huge fan of body horror, but the way Kelly writes often makes me forget my fear for a second because I'm so engrossed in the story. I AM MADE OF DEATH was no different for me.
Despite this being a stand-alone book, you can tell it's still set in the same world as TWD and YBMB which I thought was nice. I love a good series of interconnected stand-alones—especially when my favorite characters make a cameo (looking at you Lane and Colton). Things that were set up in book one came more or less full circle here. Which means I'd recommend starting with THE WHISPERING DARK and ending with I AM MADE OF DEATH. That way you don't miss anything with the Easter eggs/cameos.
That said, I love the way Andrew really paints us a picture with her imagery. It's almost like we're right there with the characters going through everything with them. Which, let's be real, I don't think I'd survive in this book. 1. I yap way too much, 2. I can't fight for anything, so one punch and I'd probably be down for the count (unless I surprise myself, who knows), and 3. Thomas would have swept me off my feet immediately (though not as immediately as Colton or Pedyr—she really knows how to write a male love interest).
Thomas was an instant hit for me. Vivienne took a little to grow on me, but after learning her story and why she acted the way she did made me love her all the more. I can't imagine living with some sort of Eldritch horror inside of me. I don't think I'd have made it nearly as long as she did. Not when it felt like my insides weren't my own. But it makes sense as to why she tried pushing Thomas away; she didn't want to hurt him more than she had to. I also want to point out that the secret societies interwoven through these books is *chef's kiss*. Very Buffy. Very dark academia. VERY up my alley.
Overall, this was an absolute hit for me. It's a princess x bodyguard romance with a large dash of Eldritch horror. Andrew is the queer of lyric gothic prose and I will continue to scream about them until everyone I know reads them. Did I mention there's also two absolutely precious Dobermans that nothing bad happens to? No? Well there are. Molly and Judd are the real heroes here, lets be honest.
I have been a massive fan of Kelly Andrew's work since I first read THE WHISPERING DARK in 2023. The way she ties her disability and life experience into her books is really impactful to readers that might also be going through something similar. Generally I'm not a huge fan of body horror, but the way Kelly writes often makes me forget my fear for a second because I'm so engrossed in the story. I AM MADE OF DEATH was no different for me.
Despite this being a stand-alone book, you can tell it's still set in the same world as TWD and YBMB which I thought was nice. I love a good series of interconnected stand-alones—especially when my favorite characters make a cameo (looking at you Lane and Colton). Things that were set up in book one came more or less full circle here. Which means I'd recommend starting with THE WHISPERING DARK and ending with I AM MADE OF DEATH. That way you don't miss anything with the Easter eggs/cameos.
That said, I love the way Andrew really paints us a picture with her imagery. It's almost like we're right there with the characters going through everything with them. Which, let's be real, I don't think I'd survive in this book. 1. I yap way too much, 2. I can't fight for anything, so one punch and I'd probably be down for the count (unless I surprise myself, who knows), and 3. Thomas would have swept me off my feet immediately (though not as immediately as Colton or Pedyr—she really knows how to write a male love interest).
Thomas was an instant hit for me. Vivienne took a little to grow on me, but after learning her story and why she acted the way she did made me love her all the more. I can't imagine living with some sort of Eldritch horror inside of me. I don't think I'd have made it nearly as long as she did. Not when it felt like my insides weren't my own. But it makes sense as to why she tried pushing Thomas away; she didn't want to hurt him more than she had to. I also want to point out that the secret societies interwoven through these books is *chef's kiss*. Very Buffy. Very dark academia. VERY up my alley.
Overall, this was an absolute hit for me. It's a princess x bodyguard romance with a large dash of Eldritch horror. Andrew is the queer of lyric gothic prose and I will continue to scream about them until everyone I know reads them. Did I mention there's also two absolutely precious Dobermans that nothing bad happens to? No? Well there are. Molly and Judd are the real heroes here, lets be honest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence
Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Body shaming, Sexual harassment
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
3.5
I like the overall story, but the "sexy talk" really took me out. 😖 I don't typically like sex scenes to begin with, but Luke's dirty talk??? Gross.
I liked the ADHD rep with Emmy and her sensory issues. And her journey with recovering from being thrown off a horse. But the sexual content completely takes me out.
I liked the ADHD rep with Emmy and her sensory issues. And her journey with recovering from being thrown off a horse. But the sexual content completely takes me out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Alcohol
When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao
I was told by a follower on instagram that this book is similar to Don't Let the Forest In by CG Drews without the horror and they were right. It also reminds me a lot of the movie Last Christmas. It's a wonderful story about how grief manifests and everyone deals with it differently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Grief
Moderate: Child death, Car accident, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship