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trixie_woodlawn_writes's reviews
40 reviews
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
adventurous
dark
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
"We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue."
In the land of Orisha, Zelie and her family struggle to get by because of the prejudice the kingdom shows toward diviners, a class of people that used to be able to do magic. But when Zelie has a fateful encounter in the capital, she'll set out on a quest that will change the fate of all Orisha.
What I loved: All of it. Seriously. This book was so good. Couldn't put it down. The world-building, the characters, and the pacing of the plot were all just chef's kiss good.
Who would like this book: This book is pretty gritty. There are a lot of violent scenes, so definitely read this one when you are feeling adventurous, not cozy. It is a pretty unique take, so I don't know if I have comp titles. It does have some slight When the Moon Hatched vibes, but the plots aren't similar at all.
In the land of Orisha, Zelie and her family struggle to get by because of the prejudice the kingdom shows toward diviners, a class of people that used to be able to do magic. But when Zelie has a fateful encounter in the capital, she'll set out on a quest that will change the fate of all Orisha.
What I loved: All of it. Seriously. This book was so good. Couldn't put it down. The world-building, the characters, and the pacing of the plot were all just chef's kiss good.
Who would like this book: This book is pretty gritty. There are a lot of violent scenes, so definitely read this one when you are feeling adventurous, not cozy. It is a pretty unique take, so I don't know if I have comp titles. It does have some slight When the Moon Hatched vibes, but the plots aren't similar at all.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
"My smell. Do I smell like . . . ?" "Mine." It's a rumble in his throat. "You smell like you're mine, Misery."
Vampires, werewolves, AND an arranged marriage? Why didn't I read this book sooner.
Misery Lark agrees to marry the Alpha of the southwestern werewolf pack in order to keep the peace between the werewolves and vampires, and for a few reasons of her own. But there's a lot more to Misery, her husband Lowe, and their unique circumstances than meet the eye.
What I loved: Damn near everything. I can admit that I stayed away from this one b/c BookTok hype has led me astray before... but this book actually deserved the hype, IMO. The prose was quick and witty. Misery was a relatable, lovable vampyre? And Lowe was the most swoonworthy male lead I've seen in a while. I loved the not-quite-enemies to lovers that these two followed.
Who would love this book: While I don't classify this book as Omegaverse b/c... there were no omegas??? it does have a lot of Omegaverse elements that fans of the genre will love. I don't really have any other great comp titles b/c I don't normally read urban paranormal/ urban fantasy or vampire romance... but I would tell you it has all the best elements of Twilight and a solid werewolf shifter romance rolled into one!
Vampires, werewolves, AND an arranged marriage? Why didn't I read this book sooner.
Misery Lark agrees to marry the Alpha of the southwestern werewolf pack in order to keep the peace between the werewolves and vampires, and for a few reasons of her own. But there's a lot more to Misery, her husband Lowe, and their unique circumstances than meet the eye.
What I loved: Damn near everything. I can admit that I stayed away from this one b/c BookTok hype has led me astray before... but this book actually deserved the hype, IMO. The prose was quick and witty. Misery was a relatable, lovable vampyre? And Lowe was the most swoonworthy male lead I've seen in a while. I loved the not-quite-enemies to lovers that these two followed.
Who would love this book: While I don't classify this book as Omegaverse b/c... there were no omegas??? it does have a lot of Omegaverse elements that fans of the genre will love. I don't really have any other great comp titles b/c I don't normally read urban paranormal/ urban fantasy or vampire romance... but I would tell you it has all the best elements of Twilight and a solid werewolf shifter romance rolled into one!
Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
"Stories are medicine. I have been taken with stories since I heard my first. They have such power, they do not require that we do, be, act, anything - we need only listen."
Women Who Run with the Wolves is a journey through both the female psyche using folklore as a lens, or perhaps as a vessel with which to navigate the deep waters. There is joy, despair, hope, sadness, healing, and perhaps most importantly, such a deep knowing of the wild woman's spirit in this book.
This book was heavy in a good way. I could only read it in bits and pieces, like a rich cake or pie. Every time I read it I learned something new about myself, or the world, or how culture has shaped my subconscious in both positive and negative ways. It felt like I was setting something free in myself that I didn't know was trapped.
Who should read this book: Women who are starting to sense that there is more to life than just what consumerism, capitalism, and American politics have handed them. Women who enjoy reading about the psychology of the spirit, who want to peer into their own rich, inner landscape a little more. And of course, women who run, or want to run, with wolves.
Women Who Run with the Wolves is a journey through both the female psyche using folklore as a lens, or perhaps as a vessel with which to navigate the deep waters. There is joy, despair, hope, sadness, healing, and perhaps most importantly, such a deep knowing of the wild woman's spirit in this book.
This book was heavy in a good way. I could only read it in bits and pieces, like a rich cake or pie. Every time I read it I learned something new about myself, or the world, or how culture has shaped my subconscious in both positive and negative ways. It felt like I was setting something free in myself that I didn't know was trapped.
Who should read this book: Women who are starting to sense that there is more to life than just what consumerism, capitalism, and American politics have handed them. Women who enjoy reading about the psychology of the spirit, who want to peer into their own rich, inner landscape a little more. And of course, women who run, or want to run, with wolves.
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, Vol. 14 by Izumi Tsubaki
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This had to have been one of my favorite volumes in the series!
The past few volumes have really built the cast 'out,' in my opinion; out in the sense of more characters, not necessarily deeper character development. We've gotten to see siblings of the core cast members, coworkers, etc. And we've gotten to see how those characters relate to our core 7 (or so) crew. It has been fun!
But this volume took us back to a lot of the original 7(ish), especially Nozaki and his tech illiteracy, and I loved it! I love all the characters but Nozaki and Chiyo are the reason I started this series, and I cannot die happy until I know if they get together or not.
Who would love this: Fans of the older volumes in the series will love this one! If you are new to the series, don't start here. But you'll enjoy the series overall if you like: shoujo, slice-of-life, and high school style manga.
The past few volumes have really built the cast 'out,' in my opinion; out in the sense of more characters, not necessarily deeper character development. We've gotten to see siblings of the core cast members, coworkers, etc. And we've gotten to see how those characters relate to our core 7 (or so) crew. It has been fun!
But this volume took us back to a lot of the original 7(ish), especially Nozaki and his tech illiteracy, and I loved it! I love all the characters but Nozaki and Chiyo are the reason I started this series, and I cannot die happy until I know if they get together or not.
Who would love this: Fans of the older volumes in the series will love this one! If you are new to the series, don't start here. But you'll enjoy the series overall if you like: shoujo, slice-of-life, and high school style manga.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
"Calcifer was roaring, 'Howl, stop her! She's killing us both!'
But all Howl said, when Michael let go of him was, 'Did you kill any spiders?'
'Of course not!' Sophie snapped. Her aches made her irritable. 'They look at me and run for their lives. What are they? All the girls whose hearts you ate?'
Howl laughed. 'No, just simple spiders,' he said and went dreamily away upstairs."
Sophie feels like being the eldest daughter at a hat shop is a curse. Her life will be boring no matter what she does. Then the Witch of the Waste shows up, truly curses her with magic that drastically ages her, and Sophie decides to set off on an adventure after all. She meets Howl, his moving castle, Calcifer, and Michael the apprentice. Together, they end up forming the sweetest, most irreverant magical family.
I loved this book so much. It was another perfect middle grades novel - just a short and sweet treat. Perfect dose of whimsy and fantasy. And of course, the soundtrack to the movie playing in my head the whole time didn't hurt either! The author has a witty yet magical prose style that I absolutely loved, dreamy worldbuilding, and characters that I fell in love with time and time again.
Who else would love this novel - This book is perfect if your looking for a fun, fantasy, middle grades novel to snack on for a while. If you like Kingfisher or Pratchett, this is a good fit for you!
Who would not like this novel - People thinking it will be exactly like the movie. There are certainly similarities, but they are not the same. Honestly, I thought the book was funnier and moved a bit quicker, pacing-wise.
But all Howl said, when Michael let go of him was, 'Did you kill any spiders?'
'Of course not!' Sophie snapped. Her aches made her irritable. 'They look at me and run for their lives. What are they? All the girls whose hearts you ate?'
Howl laughed. 'No, just simple spiders,' he said and went dreamily away upstairs."
Sophie feels like being the eldest daughter at a hat shop is a curse. Her life will be boring no matter what she does. Then the Witch of the Waste shows up, truly curses her with magic that drastically ages her, and Sophie decides to set off on an adventure after all. She meets Howl, his moving castle, Calcifer, and Michael the apprentice. Together, they end up forming the sweetest, most irreverant magical family.
I loved this book so much. It was another perfect middle grades novel - just a short and sweet treat. Perfect dose of whimsy and fantasy. And of course, the soundtrack to the movie playing in my head the whole time didn't hurt either! The author has a witty yet magical prose style that I absolutely loved, dreamy worldbuilding, and characters that I fell in love with time and time again.
Who else would love this novel - This book is perfect if your looking for a fun, fantasy, middle grades novel to snack on for a while. If you like Kingfisher or Pratchett, this is a good fit for you!
Who would not like this novel - People thinking it will be exactly like the movie. There are certainly similarities, but they are not the same. Honestly, I thought the book was funnier and moved a bit quicker, pacing-wise.
Fury by Laurann Dohner
"I want you. I hate it but I hurt to be inside you, to know what it would feel like to have you wrapped around me, and the pleasure I think could find with you. I've never wanted a female more. Tell me I can have you or help me remember that I can't ever forgive what you did to me. Say something, anything, to remind me why I shouldn't hurt to be with you so much it makes it hard for me to breathe."
Alright, before I launch into this review. Check your trigger warnings my friend. Because this book has so many I'm not even going to take a whack at it.
In a not so distant future, a sketchy big Pharma style corporation is running freaky genetic experiments on humans, combining their DNA with animals, and calling them new species. Our heroine, Ellie, goes undercover to bust this corporation. Unfortunately, she has to do some unsavory things to Fury, the male lead, in order to keep her cover.
Ellie's sacrifice pays off, and the New Species is granted their own home. Ellie becomes a dorm mom for some of the freshly rescued women, but she also runs into Fury.
Will Fury overcome his trauma enough to acknowledge the chemistry between himself and Ellie?
What I loved - This book was STEAMY. Steamy Scifi is my favorite genre. I added all fourteen of the other books to my TBR as soon as I finished this one because it delivered on the spice.
Why three stars? Especially if I said I wanted to add the other 14 to my TBR?
Okay. Look. I know my grammar is not perfect, even just in these reviews. But this author combined independent clauses with a conjunction but no comma. ALL. THE. TIME. Seriously. It was like every other page. I just couldn't do it. It really detracted from the reading for me. I 100% get that authors are human, but this was too frequent for me to just let it go.
The other star came off because the dialogue is often pretty stilted and jarring. Again, it was enough that it took me out of the book, or I wouldn't mark off something like this.
Who would like this book? Classic SciFi romance fans. This book is like Ice Planet Barbarians earth bound cousin.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"I want you. I hate it but I hurt to be inside you, to know what it would feel like to have you wrapped around me, and the pleasure I think could find with you. I've never wanted a female more. Tell me I can have you or help me remember that I can't ever forgive what you did to me. Say something, anything, to remind me why I shouldn't hurt to be with you so much it makes it hard for me to breathe."
Alright, before I launch into this review. Check your trigger warnings my friend. Because this book has so many I'm not even going to take a whack at it.
In a not so distant future, a sketchy big Pharma style corporation is running freaky genetic experiments on humans, combining their DNA with animals, and calling them new species. Our heroine, Ellie, goes undercover to bust this corporation. Unfortunately, she has to do some unsavory things to Fury, the male lead, in order to keep her cover.
Ellie's sacrifice pays off, and the New Species is granted their own home. Ellie becomes a dorm mom for some of the freshly rescued women, but she also runs into Fury.
Will Fury overcome his trauma enough to acknowledge the chemistry between himself and Ellie?
What I loved - This book was STEAMY. Steamy Scifi is my favorite genre. I added all fourteen of the other books to my TBR as soon as I finished this one because it delivered on the spice.
Why three stars? Especially if I said I wanted to add the other 14 to my TBR?
Okay. Look. I know my grammar is not perfect, even just in these reviews. But this author combined independent clauses with a conjunction but no comma. ALL. THE. TIME. Seriously. It was like every other page. I just couldn't do it. It really detracted from the reading for me. I 100% get that authors are human, but this was too frequent for me to just let it go.
The other star came off because the dialogue is often pretty stilted and jarring. Again, it was enough that it took me out of the book, or I wouldn't mark off something like this.
Who would like this book? Classic SciFi romance fans. This book is like Ice Planet Barbarians earth bound cousin.
A Tether of Ember Flame by Hattie Rose
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Hune leans over and drops his voice to a volume only I can hear. 'I know what you are. You need to get out of here. You know where to go. I can't go to Eon until you leave. Please.'"
Aledrya has spent her life in the human realm never quite feeling at home or understanding her own magic. When she follows a fae male into the fae realm, her entire world gets turned upside down, and everything she's known changes. But not everyone is happy that Aledrya is in the fae realm, and she'll have to fight hard to keep the life she's beginning to love.
What I loved: The phoenixes and world building. The magic system was so unique.
Who should read this: People who love classic NA-style Romantasy.
Aledrya has spent her life in the human realm never quite feeling at home or understanding her own magic. When she follows a fae male into the fae realm, her entire world gets turned upside down, and everything she's known changes. But not everyone is happy that Aledrya is in the fae realm, and she'll have to fight hard to keep the life she's beginning to love.
What I loved: The phoenixes and world building. The magic system was so unique.
Who should read this: People who love classic NA-style Romantasy.
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, Vol. 13 by Izumi Tsubaki
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
've been a fan of this series for a long time, and I liked this installment just as much as I've liked the others!
In this series, we get to see the cast through Kashima's little sister's eyes. Misunderstandings, as always, abound, in hilarious ways. And I have to say that since I became an author, Nozaki using EVERYTHING in his life as content or inspiration has taken on a new level of hilarity for me.
What I love - The humor. It is just peak shojo but in a self aware manner that just really keeps me turning page after page. And of course, the art! It is such a classic style, but in a fun, fresh interpretataion.
Who would love this: Long time shojo fans. Maybe slice of life... especially if you don't mind slice of high school life.
In this series, we get to see the cast through Kashima's little sister's eyes. Misunderstandings, as always, abound, in hilarious ways. And I have to say that since I became an author, Nozaki using EVERYTHING in his life as content or inspiration has taken on a new level of hilarity for me.
What I love - The humor. It is just peak shojo but in a self aware manner that just really keeps me turning page after page. And of course, the art! It is such a classic style, but in a fun, fresh interpretataion.
Who would love this: Long time shojo fans. Maybe slice of life... especially if you don't mind slice of high school life.
The Getaway List by Emma Lord
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
"There isn't a single shooting star in the sky tonight, and I'm glad for it. I don't need to ask for wishes now; I have choices all my own. Ones that will always be built on love, on hope, and on infinite, daunting, beautiful realms of possibility."
The Getaway List tells the story of Riley's journey to NYC to get away from motherly pressure and to visit her friend Tom. Through a series of bucket-list style adventures, the two make new friends, carve new paths for themselves, and discover if their relationship was meant for something more.
What you'll love - The prose is great! Lord's style is perky/sunshine, but poetic. She made NYC feel alive to me.
Why Four Stars - I struggled with Riley's backstory and fight with her mom. It felt miscommunication trope to me.
Who should read this - Fans of YA. This book is like a poster child for modern, real world, coming of age YA.
The Getaway List tells the story of Riley's journey to NYC to get away from motherly pressure and to visit her friend Tom. Through a series of bucket-list style adventures, the two make new friends, carve new paths for themselves, and discover if their relationship was meant for something more.
What you'll love - The prose is great! Lord's style is perky/sunshine, but poetic. She made NYC feel alive to me.
Why Four Stars - I struggled with Riley's backstory and fight with her mom. It felt miscommunication trope to me.
Who should read this - Fans of YA. This book is like a poster child for modern, real world, coming of age YA.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"Maurie-Laure tries to lie very still. She can almost hear the machinery of her father's mind churning inside his skull. 'It will be okay,' she whispers. Her hand finds his forearm. 'We will stay here awhile and then we will go back to our apartment and the pinecones will be right were we left them and 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' will be on the floor of the key pound where we left it and no one will be in our beds."
All the Light We Cannot see follows the story of Marie-Laure and Werner during WWII. Marie-Laure is a blind French teen whose father works at the national musem in Paris. Werner is a German orphan who grows up in a coal mining town and ends up attending a military academy due to his talents with radios. Their stories come together in an unexpected, soulful way that shows how humanity has great potential for kindness, even in one of its darkest hours.
What I Loved: All of it. Everything. The prose. The characters. The storyline. I laughed. I cried. I oooohed and ahhhhed. This book is worth every bit of the hype.
Who would like this book: While this book is technically a historical fiction, it is heavy and emotional, like most books featuring WWII tend to be. Check your trigger warnings, and be prepared for an emotional (but well, well worth it) ride.
And even if historical fiction isn't your thing (it isn't mine, and I acutally usually avoid WWII books), read this book for the prose. Seriously. It is that beautiful. I think I will end up being a better romance writer because I read this book.
All the Light We Cannot see follows the story of Marie-Laure and Werner during WWII. Marie-Laure is a blind French teen whose father works at the national musem in Paris. Werner is a German orphan who grows up in a coal mining town and ends up attending a military academy due to his talents with radios. Their stories come together in an unexpected, soulful way that shows how humanity has great potential for kindness, even in one of its darkest hours.
What I Loved: All of it. Everything. The prose. The characters. The storyline. I laughed. I cried. I oooohed and ahhhhed. This book is worth every bit of the hype.
Who would like this book: While this book is technically a historical fiction, it is heavy and emotional, like most books featuring WWII tend to be. Check your trigger warnings, and be prepared for an emotional (but well, well worth it) ride.
And even if historical fiction isn't your thing (it isn't mine, and I acutally usually avoid WWII books), read this book for the prose. Seriously. It is that beautiful. I think I will end up being a better romance writer because I read this book.