whatsmacksaid's reviews
1296 reviews

Garlic & the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Very cute. 

I'll Miss Myself by John Wiswell

dark emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.0

Good idea behind it all, mostly mediocre writing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Suicide, Suicide attempt

Better Blurb Writing for Authors by Olivia Atwater

informative

5.0

SO helpful! The clarity is a godsend and I'll be referencing this book every time I have to write a blurb/back summary from now until forever. 

The Sorceress Transcendent by Casey Blair

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

This may be a romantacy, but it's also hopepunk. Lots of "dream bigger, we're going to end a war" and I am here for it.

Overall, three stars for the writing, four for the content. It also reads more like a one shot than a complete story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Blood, Murder, War

Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs by Johann Hari

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Slows down considerably in the middle, but persisting is worthwhile.

Sweet Berries by C.M. Nascosta

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

Short and sweet, but not much to write home about. The LI's anatomy was... interesting, though. In a good way, though the spice didn't really do it for me.

You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective

5.0

Wonderful collection that runs the full spectrum of nature poetry on how we are linked to the natural world, and it to us, for better or worse.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Prime cozy fantasy/romantacy and exactly what the doctor ordered.

Publishing 101: A First-Time Author's Guide to Getting Published, Marketing and Promoting Your Book, and Building a Successful Career by Jane E. Friedman

informative slow-paced

A true 101 book--it covers the beginnings of nearly any aspect of publishing that an author might need to know, so parts of it will be more helpful than others, depending on where you are in your writing career. That will also change over time, of course, so it's likely this book is one I'll reference in the future as well.

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.5