Scan barcode
toadfairy's reviews
182 reviews
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice
adventurous
reflective
medium-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
The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Racism
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racism, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
Mindful of Murder by Susan Juby
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-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? No
2.0
*for context, listened to the audiobook*
I feel compelled to mention before I dive into my thoughts that I read this out of obligation, this is not at all the type of book I would pick up on my own accord, so it's unsurprising that I did not like it.
I'll start off with what I did like: I did pick up a few mindfulness tricks which is always appreciated. But I probably could have just read a book about mindfulness and Buddhism if I wanted information about mindfulness and Buddhism (and not learned it from a white woman). The writing was definitely beautiful, the descriptions and character building were very immersive. One might even say too immersive - which leads me to my first negative opinion. The way this book would spend a full ten minutes describing dishware made me want to drive my car into the ditch. Many of the characters were described in unbelievable detail, and yet I still hated a many of them. There was a point halfway through the book where we meet Edna's death club, and I thought the day was going to be saved by the two Mary's (them and the characters in the death group were my favourite part of the entire book honestly), but no. We were deprived of the lovable and quirky potential of nun-Mary and non-nun-Mary. A tragedy honestly.
I was still left with a lot of unanswered questions by the end, it felt like there was a lot missing & plot holes still. But TLDR: this was the most boring book I have ever read, I'd probably rather read a history textbook. I was *this close* to breaking my never-DNFing-a-book rule. Wow.
I feel compelled to mention before I dive into my thoughts that I read this out of obligation, this is not at all the type of book I would pick up on my own accord, so it's unsurprising that I did not like it.
I'll start off with what I did like: I did pick up a few mindfulness tricks which is always appreciated. But I probably could have just read a book about mindfulness and Buddhism if I wanted information about mindfulness and Buddhism (and not learned it from a white woman). The writing was definitely beautiful, the descriptions and character building were very immersive. One might even say too immersive - which leads me to my first negative opinion. The way this book would spend a full ten minutes describing dishware made me want to drive my car into the ditch. Many of the characters were described in unbelievable detail, and yet I still hated a many of them. There was a point halfway through the book where we meet Edna's death club, and I thought the day was going to be saved by the two Mary's (them and the characters in the death group were my favourite part of the entire book honestly), but no. We were deprived of the lovable and quirky potential of nun-Mary and non-nun-Mary. A tragedy honestly.
I was still left with a lot of unanswered questions by the end, it felt like there was a lot missing & plot holes still. But TLDR: this was the most boring book I have ever read, I'd probably rather read a history textbook. I was *this close* to breaking my never-DNFing-a-book rule. Wow.
Gothikana by RuNyx
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
After reading reviews, I'm wondering if I had gone for reading the print version and not the audiobook, if I may have felt differently about this book.
I'll admit that a lot of this was cringe as hell (the PIRATE METAPHOR?! Come to think of it.. All the weird metaphors lmao. I spat out my drink, and not in a good way), but I found the descriptions of the settings beautiful and the fact that I didn't want to stop listening to this has to mean something. But I can see where everyone is coming from with the comments about plot holes and odd(bad) writing style.
I liked the tension and romance and spice. I've certainly read worse stories. I'd say a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I think the narrator is what really sold it to me, she was awesome.
I'll admit that a lot of this was cringe as hell (the PIRATE METAPHOR?! Come to think of it.. All the weird metaphors lmao. I spat out my drink, and not in a good way), but I found the descriptions of the settings beautiful and the fact that I didn't want to stop listening to this has to mean something. But I can see where everyone is coming from with the comments about plot holes and odd(bad) writing style.
I liked the tension and romance and spice. I've certainly read worse stories. I'd say a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I think the narrator is what really sold it to me, she was awesome.
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
3.75
Devourer of Men by Nikki St. Crowe
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5