thefightinside's reviews
49 reviews

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoy this book!  To me, it’s a mix of Greek Mythology, Rappaccini’s Daughter, and The Inheritance Games, all with its own twist. I discovered that it’s written like there is a sequel or series waiting to be written, and I’m excited to see what happens next!

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous mysterious 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

Very interesting rags to riches mystery. I can’t wait to read the next one!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

A lovely continuation of the inheritance games; a fun mystery read

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting

A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

hopeful mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

Very similar to the great gatsby 

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

Beautiful, historically rich, rooted in actual Persian myth, and an amazing journey to self love and acceptance 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Confinement

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous challenging informative mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.5

A beautiful exploration into misogyny and LGBT+ humans

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Classism, Homophobia, and Sexism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Confinement and Animal death

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

adventurous funny inspiring 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? Yes

4.75

This is a beautiful book! It’s a lovely blend of English historical fiction and fantasy. With the LGBT+ inclusivity, I know that many young people will relate to these characters and develop empathy for those in different situations than their own, as the characters in the book do. This is the first book in a trilogy (and a novella), which makes it perfect for helping motivate my students to read more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Outing, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia

Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Classism, Forced institutionalization, and Racism

Minor: Alcohol, Sexism, Sexual content, Cursing, and Blood

Cazadora by Romina Garber

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.0