the_library_of_mary's reviews
130 reviews

Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful slow-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

I had heard this book talked about online and though the length of it is a bit intimidating, I can't pass up sapphic high fantasy. There is the perfect amount of world buiding and lore dropping, without it being overwhelming. Using the multiple narrators with them being in different parts of the world and some not even really knowing of the others, fleshes out the world in such a natural way. I loved reading it and putting together all the pieces of the mystery and the truth of the legends in the world.

A diverse cast of characters, and it felt like they were all so human and real. None of them seemed tokenized, they just were. The characters were just so good, and the relationships that they had with the others were so real and raw at times. Ead and Sabran and the moments of weakness and strength they shared together. Roos' grief and process of truly living. Tane finding herself and learning to live. Loth being this glue that brings people together.

I would kill for this to be a couple of movies or a tv show, because the moments of action were so vivid and encapturing. I could only imagine what it would be like to watch it. Overall this is an amazing fantasy book and I would recommend everyone read it.

Content Warnings

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Go to review page

challenging reflective slow-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

For a book written in 1993, this is alarmingly relevant to the world currently in 2022. Butler has dug into the flawed systems America has in place and how easily they dissolve when faced against human greed and nature. Following and growing with Lauren gives such a relatable perspective, maybe that is because I am a young woman, and the other characters are so real without needing endless content describing them. They just act in ways that explain them, their specific histories, and the current climate.

The writing is beautiful, somehow a perfect blend of an academic text and poerty. I feel like I will need to read this again to fully digest what is being written.

Content Warnings

Bitter Orange Tree by Jokha Alharthi

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is just...wow. I had picked this up randomly at a bookstore because it seemed like an interesting quick read. I feel like this has put thoughts and feelings that I had said were indescribable into words perfectly. It focuses on this one families and the histories and connections between them all. Bint Aamir's story and her role in the rest of the families lives broke my heart. Her character is this respectable and loving staple in the family dynamic, but is inherently such a sad character. Her life has been nothing but being of use to others and filling what they need.

This book adresses a lot of themes, and the one that got to me was the relationship to the elderly. I have grandparents and this book made me face a lot of ugly truths about the way I view my loved ones. How sad it is to want to leave and continue on with your life, when they are stuck in a single room. Alone. My Della is in a nursing home now and just the other week we went to visit and though it was good to talk to her, I wanted to leave and get home because I was tired after 30 minutes. How cruel of me, how selfish of me. What's worse is that I hadn't even thought of it as a selfish thing, it just was what I was thinking.

This is a beautifully painful story and the last chapter broke me officially. Will be reading again.

Content Warnings