virsamajor's reviews
294 reviews

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

4.0

Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Asunder by Kerstin Hall

mysterious slow-paced

3.5

There are so many discrete pieces of this book that I really liked, but they didn't form a cohesive whole for me. The premise is intriguing, the writing is strong, and the emotions are heavy (that's a good thing). But the pacing, character development, and lack of clarity really detracted from the overall experience. I found myself pushing through the last 65% because I was genuinely curious to see where things were headed, but I almost DNFed. The ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying after quite a long investment to get there. I loved Ferain, but I doubt I'd return to this one if there's a sequel.

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

4.5

Read this in two nights, unwilling to look away. Devastating, frightening, beautiful. Like the storms that pervade it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia

The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A Tale of Two Florists by Brenna Bailey

emotional hopeful lighthearted

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

5.0

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

adventurous mysterious tense

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

4.0

The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

Library hold expired, and I wasn't feeling it. May return later.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

A promising plot held back by extremely mediocre writing. (Sure, the plot isn't revolutionary, but not everything has to be; who doesn't love a dragon rider story... usually?) 

POC&queer characters feel like they were added to make sure the book was marketable to its intended young progressive audience and not because the author cares.

The dragons were the best part and I did like that the MC got to show others what disabled folks can do. The sex scenes weren't as bad as I expected based on the rest of the writing, but overall the characters felt stereotypical/flat and the pages of lusty eye-fucking and language like "he's so toxic" were eyeroll-inducing.

I like romance and fantasy genres but this "romantasy" did not fly for me.

If you like Sarah J Maas this will be right up your alley.

Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief

Minor: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt