thebookworm_queen's reviews
232 reviews

Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense slow-paced

4.0

Absolutely brilliant, from the design to the title and the history. The design features parallels and mirrors that add another layer to the story telling
Hall tells the untold stories of women slaves and I admire her bravery and determination as she went to great lengths to find their history. I found myself becoming livid and crying as I read about their history, please read care.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Grief

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Loved this book, at the b ginning, but it could not stick the landing. The ending felt abrupt. There are some points to the plot that I think are overlooked. I would still reccommend it as it is a great commentary on society and racism. 

A Friend for Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo

funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Super cute! I love how the yoga poses are depicted and how it can be applied to real world situations. Im looking forward to finding the first book.

A Sign of Affection, Volume 1 by suu Morishita

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

5.0

Yuki is absolutely adorable and I love reading from her POV.

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson

emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing sad 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

5.0

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

This is such a smart book I love the layers within the story where there is an underlying message to everything on the surface. I think I could read this again and find something new to appreciate
 Filled with so many inspirational and comforting lines; I cried! Almost better than PET the first book that introduced us to Lucille, almost 😉

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Police brutality

Minor: Homophobia, Self harm

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely loved it! It was wonderful to be back in the world of Percy Jackson and to read about the og trio. I also thought it was so clever how the story was written to represent the overall message: growing up is a journey we all have to go through, it's scary but with the right people by your side you can get through anything. 
In Riordan's latest book Percy needs 3 godly recommendation letters and of course he can't ask just anyone, hence the new quest. 
There are new characters, like Percys new counselor, Eudora, to love. Their interactions were hilarious, in that sarcasm does not register amongst Nereids. I also loved how Percy and the gang hung out at such trendy places like a juice bar and they ate mochi donuts! (Those are the best!)

To begin his quest Percy faces Hebe who turns him back into a toddler. And by the end of his quest Percy must face Old Age. It was just so interesting how the two interactions together mirror what teenagers face as they get ready for college. We remince and ponder who we were and question if we're ready for the future. Eventually we mature enough to realize that the journey is part of the fun, not just the final destination.

 
Overall the story was nostalgic with a great peek as to where the gang is heading towards. Percys journey is so cleverly pieced together and filled with the sass and jokes that I grew up loving. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next 2 books!!

Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

The Moon Within by Aida Salazar

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective 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? No

5.0

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.

I will come back to it once I’m on my school break 😭