velvetyaverage's reviews
270 reviews

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Aiden Thomas has a real talent for crafting well done characters. I was so stressed knowing that at the end of the trial one of these kids was quite literally on the chopping block. Did I like them all? No, some of them are very annoying teenagers. But they’re still just kids. Even if we may not find them likable, we don’t want them to die and that brings a surprising amount of tension to a YA book.

Didn’t quite hit the same as Cemetery Boys but still a banger of a book. Very much looking forward to the sequel!

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

I've only had Yadriel, Julian, and Maritza for one book but if anything happened to them I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.

I have become irrationally attached to the characters in this book, even beyond our core trio. Charm and heart oozes out of these pages. Every character we come across is vibrant and adds life to the book.

And yes, I saw his tio doing blood sacrifices from a mile away. And yes, I wish there was a little more development surrounding that plot point.

It's such a good book, though! I'm getting pickier and pickier about YA as I get older but this is one of those YA books that truly can be enjoyed by any age. I might be a little too old to feel like one of the crew but my god would I lay my life down for these kids. These are my babies and I was invested in their well-being. And the fact that this is a debut novel? Amazing!

Also, kind of a little nit-picky side thing but I'm so glad that Yadriel's tio wasn't transphobic and didn't become transphobic after Yadriel discovers and interrupts his plans. He was the antagonist but he cared about Yadriel and he respected him. He didn't revoke that respect for Yadriel's being trans when he was upset with Yadriel. It's such a small detail but it really added to the moment. It would have been so easy to have his tio turn out to have been lying about his support for Yadriel this whole time because he's just evil to the core but Thomas didn't go that route. He kept the positive traits and kept Yadriel's tio human, which I appreciate.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Minor: Transphobia

How to Sell Your Blood and Fall in Love by D.N. Bryn

dark emotional funny medium-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? Yes

4.0

Just as good on the reread! Of all the books in this series, Clementine remains the protagonist with the most special of places in my heart. Solid balance of plot with the wonderful romance between Justin and Clementine. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood

Moderate: Car accident

The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

This is one of those books that you find yourself slowly sinking into until you are so immersed that the real world and time disappear. Every time I closed this book it was like coming up for air after drowning but in the best way possible. I had heard nothing but praise for this book prior to picking it up and my god was that praise well-deserved! Heart-breaking and devastating but such an incredible book! Definitely a must-read for any sci-fi/fantasy fans.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death

Taproot by Keezy Young

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I love when I just happen to stumble across a book and fall absolutely in love! Such a lovely story and the art is gorgeous! I wish it was longer! I'm so sad to see these characters go so soon!

Holler A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance by Denali Sai Nalamalapu

informative fast-paced

3.5

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC!

As noted in the description, this book is an invitation for readers to take a peek into the world of environmental activism and learn from the experiences of those fighting the MVP in Appalachia. Not an in-depth exploration of the Mountain Valley Pipeline or environmental activism at large. The book is fast-paced and stays surface-level, but is a good start for those interested in the topic.

Wanted: Toddler's Personal Assistant: How Nannying for the 1% Taught Me about the Myths of Equality, Motherhood, and Upward Mobility in America by Stephanie Kiser
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.

I’ve read other memoirs that discuss these same things—especially poverty and social class—but better. I gravitated to this book for discussions about motherhood and so far what little we’ve gotten has been only surface level. There’s just not much that I’m enjoying or taking away from this so I’m cutting my losses.

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

adventurous dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians by Phil Elwood

dark informative medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt