theythemreads's reviews
298 reviews

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.

I don't see why people keep saying it's really good. The main character is whiney and annoying 

Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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

I received and ARC copy from netgalley in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.

Sorry my review is late, I've been really busy with getting over COVID, deal ng with doctor appointments and stuff. It's been about a month since I read it as so this will be a bit shorter than my normal reviews but here it is. :)
 
I really really loved this!
I really loved the how it handled grief, dementia and how the LGBT rep was still prominent without it seeming out of place in a book about grief and dealing with the aftermath of it.
I really liked the narrator too I thought they were very clear and it wasn't confusing when there were flashbacks, something I find in a lot of Audiobooks. 

I would definitely recommend this to my friends and I'm going to find a copy to read again.

Devotion by Hannah Kent

dark emotional sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

Very slow and at times dull but well written

I never like the kill the gays trope though

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

adventurous 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

It's a good book. I really love Kerri Maniscalco's books

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

Not what I was expecting but very good

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

adventurous 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

Really loved this especially the Asexual rep

These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

adventurous informative lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Eh. It was good but not a favourite. 

The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense 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

5.0

Read this years ago and still love it

Being Ace: An Anthology of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection by Madeline Dyer

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Thank you to Net Galley for an Advanced Readers Copy of Being Ace. This was given in exchange for an honest review.
AHHH!
I loved this!!
First all the things I likes about it:

• There was an Ace Electric Wheelchair User MC!! It's so rare I see wheelchair users as main characters let alone LGBTQIA ones that are actually written by Wheelchair Users. I've been a wheelchair user for a while and I did a little happy dance when I first read it. I will definitely be reading any books Lara Ameen writes in the future!
• How many gender diverse Aces and side characters there were. There was also Neopronoun rep in one or two of the stories which was great. Plus casual mention of a character wearing a binder and gender neutral pronouns without any of the big speeches or explanations 
• So many Ace Autistics! Again I love seeing myself representated on page especially because the representation was written without it sounding like the poor Autistic character that can never find love that you can sadly find in a lot of books.
• Aces in historical contexts is really comforting to read about too. Especially because Asexuality is seen as a very modern thing.
• I know this is basically the last three points but it was so amazing to see so many non white abled cis het Asexuals.
•  And that they weren't all Aromantic too. (I am Aro just the stereotype or ignorance people have that all Aces are Aro too is really frustrating)

Now to things I didn't really like

• Some dived into the story too quickly. I know they are short stories but I had absolutely no clue what was happening at points and often had to reread from the start of the short story to understand what was happening. Eg I'd start one story and put it down and by the time I started reading again nothing made sense.
• no content warnings or author notes warning about what would occur at the start of each story. Some covered and talked about death or other potentially traumatic subjects with no warning. 
• How much detail was given about the only wheelchair user in the book. Given how none of these trans characters had to give so much personal information it would've been really cool to have they were a wheelchair user and not give the entire medical history. (Just my own opinion as a wheelchair user and how strangers feel entitled to my medical history.)

Overall I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to Aces who want to see themselves represented.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Ableism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Bullying, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent

The Faithless by C.L. Clark

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? N/A

5.0

I ADORE. LOVE THE UNBROKEN SERIES.