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turning_every_paige's reviews
560 reviews
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This was just so sweet and fun. I love Tolkien’s imagination, and that he used it to enchant and delight his children every year! What a great dad! The different characters, their different handwriting, different languages, the stories that were shared, the charming illustrations— all speak to a beautiful mind. What a treasure for his family! I’m glad they decided to share these Letters with the rest of us
Swan: Poems and Prose Poems by Mary Oliver
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Loved:
-the Russian/Eastern European/Jewish cultures and stories that were so strong in this book.
-Dovid was such a sweetie
-the general storyline was intriguing.
Didn’t love:
-Laya’s sections were all in verse, except the poetry kinda sucked.
-More YA than I anticipated
-Way too much time wasted on both girls’ “should I, shouldn’t I” inner monologues.
-Despite no actual sex scenes, the sensuality was sort of exhausting. Just waaayyyyy too much, trying waaayyyy too hard. Bleh.
-What in the world is with the parents’ suddenly leaving and then randomly reappearing at the most convenient point of the story???
-Unrealisitic timeline… everything happens in ONE WEEK.
Liked it. Didn’t love it. Wouldn’t be quick to recommend. Not worth a re-read.
3 ✨
-the Russian/Eastern European/Jewish cultures and stories that were so strong in this book.
-Dovid was such a sweetie
-the general storyline was intriguing.
Didn’t love:
-Laya’s sections were all in verse, except the poetry kinda sucked.
-More YA than I anticipated
-Way too much time wasted on both girls’ “should I, shouldn’t I” inner monologues.
-Despite no actual sex scenes, the sensuality was sort of exhausting. Just waaayyyyy too much, trying waaayyyy too hard. Bleh.
-What in the world is with the parents’ suddenly leaving and then randomly reappearing at the most convenient point of the story???
-Unrealisitic timeline… everything happens in ONE WEEK.
Liked it. Didn’t love it. Wouldn’t be quick to recommend. Not worth a re-read.
3 ✨
Before Time Runs Out by Amy Matayo
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This was a good palate cleanser.
It was cute, mildly adventurous, humorous, and sweetly romantic. It had some surprisingly deep moments as well.
Loved that it was clean!!!
CW: war, mention of sexual assault, very mild language
It was cute, mildly adventurous, humorous, and sweetly romantic. It had some surprisingly deep moments as well.
Loved that it was clean!!!
CW: war, mention of sexual assault, very mild language
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, War
Avalon by Anya Seton
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The good:
1. Loved the historical setting. I’m fascinated by Viking history, so this was particularly interesting to me.
2. Merewyn’s story hooked me. I very much wanted to know what was going to happen to her!
3. A pretty telling look at how despicable the Catholic Church was in medieval times. Absolutely unbelievable.
The bad:
1. The sexuality, though not particularly graphic, was gross.
2. Rumon. I hated him from the beginning.
3. Some very slow parts.
4. The storyline is very frustrating, and doesn’t feel like it resolves well at the end.
CW: language, mentions of sexual assault, sexual abuse of a disabled person, a vague rape scene, racism, a few scenes of domestic abuse
1. Loved the historical setting. I’m fascinated by Viking history, so this was particularly interesting to me.
2. Merewyn’s story hooked me. I very much wanted to know what was going to happen to her!
3. A pretty telling look at how despicable the Catholic Church was in medieval times. Absolutely unbelievable.
The bad:
1. The sexuality, though not particularly graphic, was gross.
2. Rumon. I hated him from the beginning.
3. Some very slow parts.
4. The storyline is very frustrating, and doesn’t feel like it resolves well at the end.
CW: language, mentions of sexual assault, sexual abuse of a disabled person, a vague rape scene, racism, a few scenes of domestic abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery
Minor: Rape
Mistborn: A Secret History by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Awesome storytelling, as always.
It was good to see Kelsier again, although towards the end I felt like he was a bit annoying and needed to let go. My suspicion is that he’s to afraid to look for Mare in the Beyond, and that’s why he won’t go.
Loved all the behind-the-scenes, and the Easter eggs.
Did not love the trauma of having to watch Elend die again.
Ati getting decked in the face was supremely satisfying.
Kels, PLEASE LEAVE SPOOK ALONE! He’s been through enough!!!
5 ⭐️
It was good to see Kelsier again, although towards the end I felt like he was a bit annoying and needed to let go.
Loved all the behind-the-scenes, and the Easter eggs.
Did not love the trauma of having to watch Elend die again.
Ati getting decked in the face was supremely satisfying.
Kels, PLEASE LEAVE SPOOK ALONE! He’s been through enough!!!
5 ⭐️
The Generosity by Luci Shaw
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
So perfectly lovely. Will certainly be reading more of Luci Shaw’s work!
The Peacock Spring: A Novel by Rumer Godden
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Godden’s storytelling is unique and very interesting, which bumped my review up to 2 stars. I will most likely check out more of her work!
But this story was so problematic and I didn’t enjoy most of it. It had a very slow, boring start; once we were finally “into” the story, I was very interested in it! But the second half of the book took a sharp turn, full of unrealistic events and so much melodrama.
Also, the fact that Ravi is a college-age adult and Una is only 15 sort of made me sick.
And that ending was just… wut?
CW: frequent mild language, sexual situations involving a minor, physical abuse
2 ⭐️
But this story was so problematic and I didn’t enjoy most of it. It had a very slow, boring start; once we were finally “into” the story, I was very interested in it! But the second half of the book took a sharp turn, full of unrealistic events and so much melodrama.
Also, the fact that Ravi is a college-age adult and Una is only 15 sort of made me sick.
And that ending was just… wut?
CW: frequent mild language, sexual situations involving a minor, physical abuse
2 ⭐️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
Yet We Still Hope by Denise Beck, Denise Beck, Sarah Hilkemann
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment