storykath's reviews
115 reviews

We're Never Getting Home by Tracy Badua

Go to review page

4.25

Loved the nuanced, flawed protagonist, and all the characters really. The conversations and character development felt realistic in that they were messy and imperfect and raw. The ending did resolve quickly, but I enjoyed the open-endedness of it.
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

Go to review page

4.5

It took me a while to get into this book, but I couldn't put it down once it clicked. Absolutely fascinating and thrilling. Unfortunately I'll always have Becky Chambers on the brain when I read any sci-fi which very few other works can compare to, but it was still a worthwhile read!
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Once my library loan expired, I realized I didn't have to commit to inching my way through this book and rolling my eyes at the protagonist's blandness anymore, and that was a great feeling.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

Go to review page

3.5

+ Amazing descriptions and discussions of anxiety and depression
+ Nuanced, well-explored characters, mostly

- Therapists don't talk like that
- Weird pacing, both too fast and too slow at times
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow

Go to review page

5.0

Will I remember to write a more detailed review later? Probably not.
Was I enamoured with the protagonist's personality, the fish evolution facts, the holiday vibes, and the poignant descriptions of heartbreak and love? Absolutely.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Go to review page

  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Some great unreliable narrator moments, and an interesting look into a different side of Panem. I had to do a good amount of suspending my disbelief to really enjoy it.
The Sun and the Star by Mark Oshiro, Rick Riordan

Go to review page

3.25

If you need to mark sections explicitly as "dream sequence" or "flashback" maybe you need to trust your readers more or write clearly enough that you don't need to spell it out.

Pretty fun, kind of sad that I'm aging out of most Riordanverse but I can see the appeal for a younger audience.