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teghans_tomes's reviews
70 reviews
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
This book is truly an underrated YA masterpiece. Roshani Chokshi expertly crafted a story that weaves together so many issues and manages to address all of them properly. There are so many storylines and characters, yet it was easy to follow. The book never felt to crowded or complicated. The magic system is unique and a really interesting concept. I will be picking up the next book ASAP. This book is perfect for anyone who loves magical realism, heists, and found family. It truly has something for everyone.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
This book tests the line between good and bad and the ever-increasing gray area. It explores what it means to be the hero and the villain and the flaws that bind them together as one in the same. The magic system continues to be amazing and the research that Bardugo does for these books continues to amaze and impress me. I do not know how I am going to survive until I have the third book in my hands. Each time happiness looks like a possibility, it is ripped out of existence and it has left me on the edge of my seat, on the tips of my toes, other expressions matching that vibe. The queen of Dark Academia continues to create the most atmospheric books known to man.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Gallant is about family. It is about the lengths we go to protect them, and what we do to carry on their legacies. Gallant is about love and sacrifice and it weaves everything into a lyrical masterpiece. I felt such a wide array of raw, pure emotions while reading this book. It is truly a wonderful novel. The vibes are so dark and moody and just pure perfection. I would recommend this book to anyone just getting into the dark academia genre as it's a great introduction to the sub-genre.
Behind the Screen by Israel Keats
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A cute short story about sisters and the lengths they would go to look out for each other that is definitely underhyped. It is marked as young adult but it fits closer with middle grade.
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Where do I even begin? This series collects things people can struggle with like Pokemon cards. The diversity everywhere you look feels so extremely forced. It feels like the equivalent of saying "I'm not racist, I have POC friends", like that bars you from the ability to be racist. First people were gay, then trans, then race started to play a role and now Charlie has an ED? The series is trying to tackle to many important issues it's not even covering the main topic of being gay well and it's really annoying. The only redeemable factors of this book were Tara and Darcy, who were cute, and the gay teachers, who were funny.
The House by Raelyn Drake
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A cute middle-grade book.
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Lesson in Vengeance is full of sharp turns, gasps, and maybe even magic. It is a great blend of dark academia and thriller that made me not want to put it down. I found myself saying "One more chapter" until the early morning hours. There was a lot of setup for the final twist that was unexpected yet you could see it coming and you did not want it to be true. The story had great world-building and made me believe in the magic as our MC Felicity did! This book is also a great introduction the dark academia genre where people can get a sense of the atmosphere typically associated with the genre without having to know too much about classical literature to fully comprehend the plot.