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tualha's reviews
379 reviews
The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
dark
mysterious
tense
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
A historical fantasy set in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, a slow-burn that's equally un-put-downable. Recommend for fans of Children of Blood and Bone or Who Fears Death.
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
My experience of this book was odd. I completely enjoyed the concept and the themes. Who wouldn't be excited by the story of an owl baby produced by illicit lesbian owl-human-love? I was drawn to the fierceness of the depiction of motherhood, of protecting your child from forces that would seek to "fix" her, the hollowness that can result from caring for a child, let alone with needs unlike those of "dog children". Chouette doesn't really set out to give you any answers, and leaves you with a lot more questions, and a general feeling of unease for most of the book. This is generally a quality I like in books. But I felt like there was something missing for me to hold onto in this book, like a thread of music I couldn't quite catch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Abortion
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A gut-punch of a book for anyone, but especially for new moms, this was a terrifying glimpse into how our ideals of motherhood can cause harm not just to mothers, but to children, their families, their communities. Best read in small doses to allow sufficient time for angry crying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Torture, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Forced institutionalization
For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World by Sasha Sagan
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
The Need by Helen Phillips
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfectly captures the tension of motherhood of wanting to be near your children and being exhausted by parenting.