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thanmayi's reviews
114 reviews
#MUTED Volume 1 by kandismon
dark
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
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
3.75
This is a webcomic about love, mental health, and queer joy. I loved how soft and delicate this entire story was and how it dealt with several of the issues that both the characters face. Overall this was a really enjoyable and binge-worthy read!
Taproot by Keezy Young
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’d like to thank the publishers for sending me an arc through Netgalley!
This.graphic novel’s art style is absolutely gorgeous!! I loved the plus-sized MC and the cute little ghosts throughout the story however it lacked any real plot and substance…a fun and quick read!
This.graphic novel’s art style is absolutely gorgeous!! I loved the plus-sized MC and the cute little ghosts throughout the story however it lacked any real plot and substance…a fun and quick read!
The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending an arc of the book through Netgalley!
The Ghosts Of Rose Hill is a unique story with a writing style I'm not used to but fell in love with pretty fast. It took me a while to get through the book but I really enjoyed the read.
The story follows a 16-year-old Ilana as she goes to Prague and meets the ghosts of Rose Hill and falls in love with Benjamin a ghost who is stuck at the age of 16.
I loved how multidimensional each character was and how beautifully their character arcs were constructed. The author has also done a fabulous job of remaining true to the Jewish heritage of the character.
Overall it's a stunning read that everyone should put on their TBR right now!!
The Ghosts Of Rose Hill is a unique story with a writing style I'm not used to but fell in love with pretty fast. It took me a while to get through the book but I really enjoyed the read.
The story follows a 16-year-old Ilana as she goes to Prague and meets the ghosts of Rose Hill and falls in love with Benjamin a ghost who is stuck at the age of 16.
I loved how multidimensional each character was and how beautifully their character arcs were constructed. The author has also done a fabulous job of remaining true to the Jewish heritage of the character.
Overall it's a stunning read that everyone should put on their TBR right now!!
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
'd like to thank the author and publisher for sending me an arc through Netgalley!
Hell Followed With Us is the perfect mix of horror, queerness and found family.The characters are stunningly developed without any of them feeling two dimensional, yes this includes the side characters as well which was refreshing to see in a YA novel.
Horror is one of the genres that intimidate me which is probably why it took me a while to get to this book but I absolutely loved it from the second that I got into it. The world is relatively easy to understand and get into and the characters have a strong voice throughout the story.
Overall this was a stunning story perfect for anyone who wants to read something on the darker side that still feels like a hug.
Hell Followed With Us is the perfect mix of horror, queerness and found family.The characters are stunningly developed without any of them feeling two dimensional, yes this includes the side characters as well which was refreshing to see in a YA novel.
Horror is one of the genres that intimidate me which is probably why it took me a while to get to this book but I absolutely loved it from the second that I got into it. The world is relatively easy to understand and get into and the characters have a strong voice throughout the story.
Overall this was a stunning story perfect for anyone who wants to read something on the darker side that still feels like a hug.
Where We Go from Here by Lucas Rocha
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
An absolutely stunning story following three Brazillian queer men dealing with HIV, both their own diagnosis and their loved ones. It's an informative and gripping story that intertwines the three points of view seamlessly.
CHARACTERS
The characters were all unique, rich with character and distinct personalities with different kinds of families and outlooks on life.
IAN
Ian has just been diagnosed with HIV and goes through the process of accepting the diagnosis and battling the fear of living with the Virus, in many ways he is the younger version of Henrique. I did think the beauty of the support system he builds around him is how he slowly comes to terms with it and realizes that he can live a good life even with the virus in his veins.
VITOR
I had a love-hate relationship with Vitor throughout the book, I got where he was coming from and his personal fears when it came to being in love with someone who had the Virus. I do not blame him for his hesitance or even his fear because that's natural, but the way treats Henrique is not and I found myself struggling to like him as a partner to Henrique at the end.
Henrique
Henrique is the oldest amongst the boys, he's lived with the virus for three years and acts as this brotherlike figure to Ian (who was a complete stranger to him at the start) to cope with the diagnosis and is just there for him. Would I have preferred that he had communicated with Vitor before they slept together no matter what precaution he was taking? Yes absolutely and I wish they shed a little more light on that but apart from that I think that his character was great overall.
SIDE CHARACTERS
I loved the side characters, none of them were bland or boring and I loved their bright personalities.
PLOT
I enjoyed the plot of the book, the way the three men were given equal attention and while we technically followed 3 different storylines, I enjoyed them all.
CONCLUSION
If you are looking to learn more about HIV and living with it as a person in a more positive light then this book is definitely for you, I loved the way it was both educational and fictional and I would 100% recommend this to EVERYONE.
CHARACTERS
The characters were all unique, rich with character and distinct personalities with different kinds of families and outlooks on life.
IAN
Ian has just been diagnosed with HIV and goes through the process of accepting the diagnosis and battling the fear of living with the Virus, in many ways he is the younger version of Henrique. I did think the beauty of the support system he builds around him is how he slowly comes to terms with it and realizes that he can live a good life even with the virus in his veins.
VITOR
I had a love-hate relationship with Vitor throughout the book, I got where he was coming from and his personal fears when it came to being in love with someone who had the Virus. I do not blame him for his hesitance or even his fear because that's natural, but the way treats Henrique is not and I found myself struggling to like him as a partner to Henrique at the end.
Henrique
Henrique is the oldest amongst the boys, he's lived with the virus for three years and acts as this brotherlike figure to Ian (who was a complete stranger to him at the start) to cope with the diagnosis and is just there for him. Would I have preferred that he had communicated with Vitor before they slept together no matter what precaution he was taking? Yes absolutely and I wish they shed a little more light on that but apart from that I think that his character was great overall.
SIDE CHARACTERS
I loved the side characters, none of them were bland or boring and I loved their bright personalities.
PLOT
I enjoyed the plot of the book, the way the three men were given equal attention and while we technically followed 3 different storylines, I enjoyed them all.
CONCLUSION
If you are looking to learn more about HIV and living with it as a person in a more positive light then this book is definitely for you, I loved the way it was both educational and fictional and I would 100% recommend this to EVERYONE.
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
It's taken me a while to actually come up with a coherent review of this book. Reading this book feels something like watching a car crash...At first, it's horrifying and ugly but the more you see it the more you get used to it and it becomes just another factor of your journey.
Tender is the flesh was a book brimming with potential, a post-apocalyptic world where we slaughter humans as we do animals and feed on our kind is an interesting concept filled with nuances that this book simply did not cover making it fall under the category of torture porn. There was so much that this book could have done with such an interesting and heavy concept but it was downright boring after you get used to the fact that cannibalism is normal in this universe. There was nothing extraordinary apart from the shock value to add to the plotline yet I could not stop reading because to an extent I did enjoy the writing.
I see why this book is loved by certain people because it is beautifully brutal and certain aspects of this book are well done but towards the end, the entire thing became somewhat repetitive however the final chapter made up for it.
I will not be reading this book again and don't really recommend this to anyone but I don't regret the read.
Tender is the flesh was a book brimming with potential, a post-apocalyptic world where we slaughter humans as we do animals and feed on our kind is an interesting concept filled with nuances that this book simply did not cover making it fall under the category of torture porn. There was so much that this book could have done with such an interesting and heavy concept but it was downright boring after you get used to the fact that cannibalism is normal in this universe. There was nothing extraordinary apart from the shock value to add to the plotline yet I could not stop reading because to an extent I did enjoy the writing.
I see why this book is loved by certain people because it is beautifully brutal and certain aspects of this book are well done but towards the end, the entire thing became somewhat repetitive however the final chapter made up for it.
I will not be reading this book again and don't really recommend this to anyone but I don't regret the read.
Circe by Madeline Miller
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
People either absolutely love this book or don't and unfortunately, I fall into the second category. I went into the book thinking it was a sapphic/ queer feminist retelling. It was in fact none of those things which is probably why I disliked it so much.
THE PROTAGONIST
Circe was a strong woman who has been through a lot and I respect her for it, but if you're walking into this looking for a fiercely feminist woman as the main character this isn't it. Circe is a book that follows this goddess through centuries as she grows from a frail nymph to a powerful witch who turns men into pigs. I liked her for most of it but she was an incredibly dull woman who gets most of her stories from sleeping with people and has done little to be actually renowned apart from Scylla.
THE PLOT
There were like 6 different plot lines in this story and I cared for none of them, filled with too many characters that did little to further the plot. Miller is a talented writer and I would actually read anything this woman writes because it is simply that beautiful, this book was a whole lot of beautifully written nothing.
CONCLUSION
Circe is a reimagination of what was a minute part of greek history stretched over 300+ pages. I would not read it again but I understand why it is loved and the plot is simply not my type of story,
THE PROTAGONIST
Circe was a strong woman who has been through a lot and I respect her for it, but if you're walking into this looking for a fiercely feminist woman as the main character this isn't it. Circe is a book that follows this goddess through centuries as she grows from a frail nymph to a powerful witch who turns men into pigs. I liked her for most of it but she was an incredibly dull woman who gets most of her stories from sleeping with people and has done little to be actually renowned apart from Scylla.
THE PLOT
There were like 6 different plot lines in this story and I cared for none of them, filled with too many characters that did little to further the plot. Miller is a talented writer and I would actually read anything this woman writes because it is simply that beautiful, this book was a whole lot of beautifully written nothing.
CONCLUSION
Circe is a reimagination of what was a minute part of greek history stretched over 300+ pages. I would not read it again but I understand why it is loved and the plot is simply not my type of story,
Hooked by Emily McIntire
dark
fast-paced
1.0
DNF at 25%
Both the characters were so unbearable to read and I simply could not get through the book without cringing at every other page. This is the classic example of when the writer is forcing the romance to be "dark" and it's just overkill.
Both the characters were so unbearable to read and I simply could not get through the book without cringing at every other page. This is the classic example of when the writer is forcing the romance to be "dark" and it's just overkill.
The Sea Witch by Katee Robert
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I absolutely love the wicked villains series but had somehow managed to miss this one the first time around when I initially read this book...I probably should have taken that as a sign. I usually go for a breakdown of each character, plot, and romance but since this lacked in all those aspects I simply see no point in a thorough breakdown.
The characters were one-dimensional and boring, the plot was basically learn my lesson in a different font and the romance aspect of it was probably one of the worst in the series. There was barely any chemistry and while I appreciate the diversity in the cast that was the only thing it had going for it. Even the sex scenes were only half decent.
Overall you really are not missing much if you skip this book. I love KR novels, in general, this one was just a miss for me.
The characters were one-dimensional and boring, the plot was basically learn my lesson in a different font and the romance aspect of it was probably one of the worst in the series. There was barely any chemistry and while I appreciate the diversity in the cast that was the only thing it had going for it. Even the sex scenes were only half decent.
Overall you really are not missing much if you skip this book. I love KR novels, in general, this one was just a miss for me.
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I think I might have just found my new favorite sapphic book. It's got a good balance of plot and spice and its well-written scenes as well.
CHARACTERS
Delilah
Delilah is a dark-haired, grumpy character with tattoos running down both her arms...I mean come on how could I NOT fall in love with her? She's an exceptionally well-rounded character and I loved reading about her.
Claire
Claire is a single mother with an ex who she cannot depend on, She's the opposite of Delilah in many ways but still a really well-written character. I loved seeing how she deals with her almost teen daughter and the fact that it's not all Rainbows and sunshine.
Side Characters
This is one of those novels where the side characters have as much a personality as the MC. While I don't really have a favorite side character in this book I did love all of them.
PLOT
This kind of plot isn't new to the romance genre, but the author has executed it in a way that makes this book an enjoyable read. I really can't say much without giving away too much of the plot but it was a very fun read.
ROMANCE
This is kind of a grey area for me because while it's clear that they both are attracted to each other I would have liked more of the casual dates like the roller-skating one. I do love the both of them together but we needed more of a nonsexual buildup to their relationship
CONCLUSION
Delilah Green Doesn't Care is a delightfully queer novel with great characters and a plot that will make you not want to put the book down.
CHARACTERS
Delilah
Delilah is a dark-haired, grumpy character with tattoos running down both her arms...I mean come on how could I NOT fall in love with her? She's an exceptionally well-rounded character and I loved reading about her.
Claire
Claire is a single mother with an ex who she cannot depend on, She's the opposite of Delilah in many ways but still a really well-written character. I loved seeing how she deals with her almost teen daughter and the fact that it's not all Rainbows and sunshine.
Side Characters
This is one of those novels where the side characters have as much a personality as the MC. While I don't really have a favorite side character in this book I did love all of them.
PLOT
This kind of plot isn't new to the romance genre, but the author has executed it in a way that makes this book an enjoyable read. I really can't say much without giving away too much of the plot but it was a very fun read.
ROMANCE
This is kind of a grey area for me because while it's clear that they both are attracted to each other I would have liked more of the casual dates like the roller-skating one. I do love the both of them together but we needed more of a nonsexual buildup to their relationship
CONCLUSION
Delilah Green Doesn't Care is a delightfully queer novel with great characters and a plot that will make you not want to put the book down.