thoughtsontomes's reviews
831 reviews

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

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hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

This was a perfect mix of period social politics, sapphic love, and the pursuit of science and art. 
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Foxglove by Adalyn Grace

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

4.5

While there were some 2nd book tropes here, they felt more nuanced. A second mystery could have been tiresome, but worked really well along with the interpersonal dynamics. I enjoy this spooky gothic mystery romance series.
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The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

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

2.0

I knew pretty quickly after picking this up that I probably wouldn’t enjoy the writing style and embers voice and that was correct. There were a number of plot threads that felt half baked. I also don’t know what attracted the main characters to each other at all, especially considering Ember was lying most of the time. I didn’t find her choices cute or endearing. 
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Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity in This Crisis (And the Next) by Dean Spade

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informative slow-paced

3.0

Lots of information but delivered very dryly and mostly in list form. Probably best to read a physical copy rather than audio. 
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Just as good on reread as the first time!
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Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi

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

2.5

Although this had a solid foundation, the character work was ultimately lacking. We are supposed to believe that this character is savvy but she does so many dumb things and has so little agency that by time she starts to have agency, it’s pretty unbelievable. Most of the characters are unlikable and plot threads felt half baked. 
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High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley

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hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

The author provided multiple case studies of those involved in high conflict and how they got out of those situations. The means seem simple but are easier said than done and the plethora of examples help to nail the point home. 
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu

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

3.0

I didn’t love this as much as I’d hoped. It’s very heavily military fantasy and it’s hard to get connected to the characters as they all largely feel like pieces on a chess board. I’m unsure if I’ll continue with the series.
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For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Just as enjoyable on reread - a sentient corrupted forest and nature magic are my favorite. 
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Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews

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

4.0

Sentient forest + gothic boarding school + disaster queers + grief 
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