theneurodivergentowl's reviews
149 reviews

The Truthspoken Heir by Novae Caelum

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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

3.5

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-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

The Quill of All Tales by Jeremy Lachlan

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

The Key of All Souls by Jeremy Lachlan

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds by Jeremy Lachlan

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

At 36 I'm definitely not the target audience, but I enjoyed this middle-grade adventure fantasy enough to continue reading the series. It awoke my nostalgia for the books I loved back when I was in the target age group, and has an interesting premise. The queer crush was sweet & I'm glad to see it in a middle-grade novel. 

All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful fast-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

A post-apocalyptic/post-pandemic, queer (cheers for bi representation), road trip romance.  Dark themes, lovable characters, funny banter. Well worth the read. 

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-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? No

4.5

The Antlered King by Marianne Gordon

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Antlered King is by far my favourite new book for 2025 so far. It was bleak & brilliant, heartbreaking & hopeful, terrifying & tender. Sullivain is monstrous and utterly, devastatingly human. I found so much to relate to in Hellevir, a young woman who carves literal pieces out of herself to bring people back from death because she is able to help.  If you love happily ever afters this book may not be for you. If (like me) you love dark themes, political intrigue and epic queer love so deep & destructive that it changes the course of the world and leaves you sobbing through its last chapters - you are in luck. This book will stay with me for a long time.

Electric Idol by Katee Robert

dark emotional hopeful fast-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

4.0

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0