strawberrytops's reviews
65 reviews

Metal from Heaven by August Clarke

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

what a luscious, addictive story.
the prose i will hold close to me for a long while. 

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

dark tense slow-paced

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

3.0

A retelling of goose girl - i usually really enjoy gothic fairytale retellings, however this story was mostly told through dialogue between our main characters that went on forever

perhaps this is somes preferred way of writing, however it’s not mine

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

adventurous dark emotional fast-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

4.25

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

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

4.75

Nosy ❣️

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

fascinating 

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

5.0

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No

3.75

this book reads like a barbie movie is watched. adventurous, and lighthearted. it captures your attention, but definitely reads as young adult. 

the narration leaves very little room to come to your own conclusions, Evangeline lets you know every single thought she is having. 

will I still be reading the rest of the series? yes! reading a YA fairytale feels like i’m connecting with my inner child again. 

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

what an interesting read 

the beginning of this book had me questioning if I had jumped into a sequel. very little explanation of anything going on, just truly throws you into the unknown. 

in the second third of the book is when i started putting pieces together, and the last third is when I felt like I understood everything- and wow, the last third of the book had me absolutely hooked. 
I love when a book is worth sticking out through the confusion, and this one was definitely worth it! 

strong women characters, strong queer characters, all wrapped up into political intrigue heavy murder mystery space opera. love!