teghans_tomes's reviews
72 reviews

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. 

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

medium-paced

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

1.0

Unlike the first book which was unintentionally funny with its cringe level, this one was just 100% cringe. I think Nick summed it up the best when he said "Why are we like this??" Because I've been asking why they are the way that they are since I picked up the first book. Also, the fact that Nick thinks Charlie being jealous of a girl he thought Nick liked was cute is such a red flag let's be real. Finally on pg. 251, out of nowhere, they make a Harry Potter reference, what's disappointing about that is that SOMEHOW Charlie is a Slytherin!!?????!?!?!?! No way is that child in the same house I me, I refuse to believe it! 

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

funny 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

2.0

Charlie is the ultimate pick-me girl. The How Gay Are You BuzzFeed quiz and "Happy Fucking Birthday" are the only reason this book is getting two stars and not one. Charlie was so chronically pick-me I ended up playing try not to cringe and lost horribly. Overall, it's pretty funny if you can laugh at the cringe.

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

A great sequel! The Hawthorne Legacy had great pacing and timing it was hard to put it down. Nearly every chapter ended on a cliffhanger that made me start the next one no matter how tired I was or what I had to do. The mysteries did not disappoint in this book! Most mystery series have a book that feels slow, or it takes the whole series to uncover the mystery set out in book one. There is nothing wrong with those types of books but this series not only sets out new mysteries in each book and solves most of them by the end of that book, but they are engaging and follow along the main storyline! I cannot wait to pick up the final book in this trilogy and see how the story ends!

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The only reason this book is not a five-star read for me is because there were a few points in the book where I felt the story was progressing very slowly and then everything happened all at once at the end of the book. It did not feel rushed but everything suddenly happening so fast made the slow parts of the book feel even slower in comparison. Overall Anatomy was a very fun read and I cannot wait for the sequel to come in the mail! There were many points where I gasped at the plot twists and held my breath in anticipation. I think everyone should give this book a read! It is very much a top-tier book in the Dark Academia genre! 

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.

I know I am going to love this book so i bought the physical copy and will finish the book reading that version so I have no need to still have this one up.

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

adventurous emotional funny informative reflective 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

How do I express in words how this book lifted me up and sat me on the biggest emotional rollercoaster in existence? I loved everything about this book. The characters were written beautifully, and the nuance wasn't being obviously shoved down my throat while still being a prominent plot point. I was so emotionally invested the whole time and I have come out the other side truly a better person. Writing has a unique power to shape readers and this book is the perfect example of a novel doing that in a positive light. If everyone read this book, I think the world would honestly be a better place.

Growing Pains by Lauren Rose Lenyi

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I loved this poetry collection. It is in sections which is so helpful if there is a topic that you cannot read you know where that content is and can easily avoid it! The poetry itself has clearly been carefully crafted and meticulously written. I had a hard time putting the book down after picking it up. The words are poetic and cut like a knife when they need to at just the right moments. I would recommend everyone to read this book. Not everyone will relate to the content in the pages but everyone will come away having learned something! 

Sadie by Courtney Summers

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I love the way Courtney Summers tells this story. The complexity of this story could not be accurately conveyed through typical storytelling. The split between past Sadie, a girl hellbent on avenging her murdered little sister and present-day West, a journalist trying to find Sadie and share her story through and eight-episode podcast. This book tore me apart and stitched me back up again. It convinces you its fantasy while reminding you that the atrocities are very much true for many people.