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xangemtheelibrarian's reviews
994 reviews
To the Bone by Alena Bruzas
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is very clearly a well-researched story. I hated everyone in it. I hated Ellis, the Collinses, basically ALL the settlers except Rowan and Jane. Mark and his story about the settlers was very on the nose and I'm not gonna lie, it reminded me of how Avery had to decipher the stories she was given by her Elders in The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs.
Things I didn't enjoy about this book: the narrative voice. I hated Ellis's choppy thoughts. It felt like she believed that if her sentence had more words than she had fingers to count with, she'd be "wicked." Not that she could even count to begin with. I hated how much Ellis called herself a good girl or wicked. It was to the point that I just stopped taking her seriously. I didn't empathize with her at all. Trying to view this story from her point of view was literally a slogfest.
Things I did enjoy about this story: the commitment to telling a story that accurately reflects history. There was no vilifying here, except of certain settlers that deserved it. The descriptions of sickness, abuse, and starvation were accurate and a little disgusting to read. (Eat while reading this at your own risk.) And this brings me to the other big thing I liked about this story: I have a lot of respect for the author.
Bruzas made a point to explain every factor that led to The Starving Time, even going so far as to say that we would be wrong to vilify the Indigenous community for sieging the fort. I also respect her for acknowledging that colonizing is wrong and even supplying websites for further research into groups and movements like the Land Back Movement and The Indian Land Tenure Foundation. While I find that I did not enjoy this book-- and would probably have DNF'd it if I hadn't read a spoiler that made me curious enough to finish it-- I do respect the author for taking the time to be so intentional about her research and the portrayal of characters that would have been easy to scapegoat.
Things I didn't enjoy about this book: the narrative voice. I hated Ellis's choppy thoughts. It felt like she believed that if her sentence had more words than she had fingers to count with, she'd be "wicked." Not that she could even count to begin with. I hated how much Ellis called herself a good girl or wicked. It was to the point that I just stopped taking her seriously. I didn't empathize with her at all. Trying to view this story from her point of view was literally a slogfest.
Things I did enjoy about this story: the commitment to telling a story that accurately reflects history. There was no vilifying here, except of certain settlers that deserved it. The descriptions of sickness, abuse, and starvation were accurate and a little disgusting to read. (Eat while reading this at your own risk.) And this brings me to the other big thing I liked about this story: I have a lot of respect for the author.
Bruzas made a point to explain every factor that led to The Starving Time, even going so far as to say that we would be wrong to vilify the Indigenous community for sieging the fort. I also respect her for acknowledging that colonizing is wrong and even supplying websites for further research into groups and movements like the Land Back Movement and The Indian Land Tenure Foundation. While I find that I did not enjoy this book-- and would probably have DNF'd it if I hadn't read a spoiler that made me curious enough to finish it-- I do respect the author for taking the time to be so intentional about her research and the portrayal of characters that would have been easy to scapegoat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Vomit, Cannibalism, Abortion, Murder, and Colonisation
I Will Never Leave You by Kara A. Kennedy
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Y'all. This one was like getting punched in the gut with each chapter. Maya's anxiety, mental health, and trauma are all so hard to read about. Can you imagine? You finally break up with your abusive ex, then she dies the same day and begins to haunt you! That's AWFUL.
Kennedy did a phenomenal job of showing Alana's charm. She's charismatic, vibrant, beautiful, and manipulative. She knows exactly what to say to get what she wants. That's true even in death, especially with Maya.
Kennedy also did a great job of showing how Maya, the victim, got blamed for Alana's death. How her behavior-- things that only make sense to her and the reader because we live in her head during this tale-- makes the people around her quick to judge her as the real abuser. Maya's anxiety and attachment to Alana is written with so much care and attention. Kennedy did it right. She really did.
Rowan is also a beautiful character. She meets Maya where she is. She never once tries to take advantage of Maya's grief, and her support is essential to Maya's development.
This is a book about a victim grieving the loss of her abuser. This is the story of a victim learning to be herself again. This is the story of a girl who freed herself. It's hard to read but it was worth it.
Kennedy did a phenomenal job of showing Alana's charm. She's charismatic, vibrant, beautiful, and manipulative. She knows exactly what to say to get what she wants. That's true even in death, especially with Maya.
Kennedy also did a great job of showing how Maya, the victim, got blamed for Alana's death. How her behavior-- things that only make sense to her and the reader because we live in her head during this tale-- makes the people around her quick to judge her as the real abuser. Maya's anxiety and attachment to Alana is written with so much care and attention. Kennedy did it right. She really did.
Rowan is also a beautiful character. She meets Maya where she is. She never once tries to take advantage of Maya's grief, and her support is essential to Maya's development.
This is a book about a victim grieving the loss of her abuser. This is the story of a victim learning to be herself again. This is the story of a girl who freed herself. It's hard to read but it was worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Forced institutionalization
The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed all the creepy imagery and the story. I adored Key too. Avery was a bit more difficult for me to love. Her tantrums where she confesses she's acting "bitchy" were times that I just honestly wanted to slap her upside the head. She's relatable though. She's terrified the entire story, but she learns to navigate that and step up. She had exactly the right personality and amount of stubbornness to do what she had to do to survive.
What I didn't like about the story is the ending. I was left with more questions than answers, and it felt a little bit rushed to me. I just don't understand what's going to happen with Key and the lake. I guess I just wish I had more answers.
What I didn't like about the story is the ending. I was left with more questions than answers, and it felt a little bit rushed to me. I just don't understand what's going to happen with Key and the lake. I guess I just wish I had more answers.
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I can't help but compare this book to the first in the series, What Moves the Dead, and can't help but feel a little bit disappointed in this sequel. The events of What Feasts at Night follows pretty shortly after the events of the first book, with maybe a few weeks between them. Easton is still battling their PTSD from the war, but now they also are dealing with the trauma of what happened in Book 1 (trying to avoid spoilers, sorry).
I feel like this second book was trying to dive deeper into Easton's trauma, who they are, and what their culture is like in their culture. I learned so many interesting things about the local religion, priesthood, pronouns, and history about Easton themself. It's as if so much attention was spent on the lore of the main characters that the ghost story-- the main plot itself-- got neglected. And it's kind of unfortunate that this happened because our ghost is so interesting!
Learning the lore behind the moroi was terribly sad. But more than anything, I wanted to see more horror in this horror book. There wasn't enough interaction with the spookies, nor enough buildup. There was atmosphere, sure, but the actual scary part was only within the last 1.5-2 hours of the audiobook and honestly felt like it came out of nowhere.
If there is a third book to come form this series, I will more than likely read it simply because I love Easton so much.
I feel like this second book was trying to dive deeper into Easton's trauma, who they are, and what their culture is like in their culture. I learned so many interesting things about the local religion, priesthood, pronouns, and history about Easton themself. It's as if so much attention was spent on the lore of the main characters that the ghost story-- the main plot itself-- got neglected. And it's kind of unfortunate that this happened because our ghost is so interesting!
Learning the lore behind the moroi was terribly sad. But more than anything, I wanted to see more horror in this horror book. There wasn't enough interaction with the spookies, nor enough buildup. There was atmosphere, sure, but the actual scary part was only within the last 1.5-2 hours of the audiobook and honestly felt like it came out of nowhere.
If there is a third book to come form this series, I will more than likely read it simply because I love Easton so much.
Island of Whispers by Frances Hardinge
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a quick read and gorgeously illustrated. I couldn't help but see the similarities between Island of Whispers and a previous book written by Hardinge, Unraveller. I love the narrative voice that Hardinge uses and how they manage to slowly wrap you up in the world that they have built almost without you noticing until you're completely entangled and it's too late.
The brevity of this book does not detract from the story or the characters at all. I grew to love both Milo and Gabrielle. I felt so much pity for the Lord. The magic of the two magicians was so terribly off-putting. And the way that Milo found his own way of becoming the Ferryman was incredibly heartwarming. Overall, this was a fantastic book.
The brevity of this book does not detract from the story or the characters at all. I grew to love both Milo and Gabrielle. I felt so much pity for the Lord. The magic of the two magicians was so terribly off-putting. And the way that Milo found his own way of becoming the Ferryman was incredibly heartwarming. Overall, this was a fantastic book.
Hearts of Fire and Snow by Guadalupe García McCall, David Bowles
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I honestly cannot understand how a book can simultaneously drag AND feel rushed at the same time. It's like it was too wordy in all the wrong places. Or just like the pacing in general was just.. bad. The ending felt rushed. Blanca and Greg getting together felt so drawn out. And one of the main(ish) chara ters is just KILLED? FOR WHY?? And ALSO our Big Bad Evil Guy felt so... Contrived. I'm just so not impressed.
I will say I loved learning more about the lore and getting introduced to Aztec Mythology. I know so little about the pantheon and the legends, so this was a really nice way to introduce me to it. Hence two stars rather than one star.
I will say I loved learning more about the lore and getting introduced to Aztec Mythology. I know so little about the pantheon and the legends, so this was a really nice way to introduce me to it. Hence two stars rather than one star.
King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
For those of y'all who find this information important: I'm fairly certain that this book will end up having a sequel. The question of Eli's identity is sort of resolved, but it's not completely wrapped up. We still don't know who he is or why he has the powers he does by the end of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the world that Eli, Malcolm, Max, and Sunny all live in. I love the idea of magic hidden in plain sight in the real world. Makes me want to go looking for it. By far, Sunny actually ended up being my favorite character. Her dry humor and affinity for shiny things won my heart.
I left this story wanting to learn more about Eli and co. I want to know more about his world where you are born with a finite amount of magic and it can be literally ripped out of your soul. Every plot twist ended up being something that I could not predict-- a rare occurrence for someone who devours books-- but if I thought back through what I had read earlier, the context clues were all there. I simply didn't see it.
While I wasn't expecting to have to wait for a sequel (most books nowadays announce if they are a planned series), I will be picking up Book 2, and I will be hounding the internet for information on a sequel because right now there is no information. >.> NEVIN HOLNESS SPILL THE BEANS PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the world that Eli, Malcolm, Max, and Sunny all live in. I love the idea of magic hidden in plain sight in the real world. Makes me want to go looking for it. By far, Sunny actually ended up being my favorite character. Her dry humor and affinity for shiny things won my heart.
I left this story wanting to learn more about Eli and co. I want to know more about his world where you are born with a finite amount of magic and it can be literally ripped out of your soul. Every plot twist ended up being something that I could not predict-- a rare occurrence for someone who devours books-- but if I thought back through what I had read earlier, the context clues were all there. I simply didn't see it.
While I wasn't expecting to have to wait for a sequel (most books nowadays announce if they are a planned series), I will be picking up Book 2, and I will be hounding the internet for information on a sequel because right now there is no information. >.> NEVIN HOLNESS SPILL THE BEANS PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was SO funny. Atticus and Oberon have absolutely wonderful quips and senses of humor. The friend who recc'd this book to me thoroughly enjoyed my "live tweet" style Snaps documenting my reaction to plot twists and stuff.
Besides the humor, I actually learned quite a bit about Celtic deities and lore! Something that seemed sort of inaccessible to me to was suddenly and vibrantly brought to life. I think what I found most irritating... Maybe refreshing? Was how the Tuatha Dé Danann don't pretend to be pious. They're just... people but ✨Strong.✨ Each of them have their own motivations for deigning to help Atticus or fighting against him. And unlike other deities I am familiar with, they don't pretend that they are acting for the good of all humanity. They're just doing what they want whole staying within the boundaries of the roles that govern them.
Overall, I'm so glad I bought the first three because I'm starting book 2 ASAP.
Besides the humor, I actually learned quite a bit about Celtic deities and lore! Something that seemed sort of inaccessible to me to was suddenly and vibrantly brought to life. I think what I found most irritating... Maybe refreshing? Was how the Tuatha Dé Danann don't pretend to be pious. They're just... people but ✨Strong.✨ Each of them have their own motivations for deigning to help Atticus or fighting against him. And unlike other deities I am familiar with, they don't pretend that they are acting for the good of all humanity. They're just doing what they want whole staying within the boundaries of the roles that govern them.
Overall, I'm so glad I bought the first three because I'm starting book 2 ASAP.
Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Samira was frustrating as HELL. Ohmigawd. Elhillo created a teenager that I wasn't to literally shake some sense into. I can't help but wonder what reading this book would feel like as a teen, because as an adult, I see through Horus and every classic manipulative trick he played on Samira. There were several moments in this four hour audiobook, where I myself had also closed my eyes, begging silently "please, please, please" and then had the misfortune of listening to Samira pick the worst choice in nearly every decision she made.
But in the end, I feel so much sympathy for this girl. Because she is a girl. Samira is a girl who never stood a chance against an adult like Horus because she is so accustomed to keeping secrets. Samira's desire to present as fully herself clashed wildly with her mother's desire to protect her by making her conform to the standards of their community. It also just wasn't fair that Samira's mother defaulted to believing rumors as opposed to her own daughter. Of course Horus swept Samira away. She was the perfect target.
The ending though.. That was satisfying. I'm so glad everything resolved the way that it did. Reading through this was so hard, but that HEA was so worth it.
But in the end, I feel so much sympathy for this girl. Because she is a girl. Samira is a girl who never stood a chance against an adult like Horus because she is so accustomed to keeping secrets. Samira's desire to present as fully herself clashed wildly with her mother's desire to protect her by making her conform to the standards of their community. It also just wasn't fair that Samira's mother defaulted to believing rumors as opposed to her own daughter. Of course Horus swept Samira away. She was the perfect target.
The ending though.. That was satisfying. I'm so glad everything resolved the way that it did. Reading through this was so hard, but that HEA was so worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
Pearl: A Graphic Novel by Sherri L. Smith
challenging
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
That poor girl, Amy, had so much happen to her and her family. I have always struggled with justifying the bombing of Hiroshima and the subsequent treatment of Japanese Americans. And honestly, I don't think anyone should justify it. It was wrong.
This graphic novel shows just another aspect of WWII and the impact it had on normal people. Japan was not innocent, but the US was not justified. War is one of the ugliest sides of humanity. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
This graphic novel shows just another aspect of WWII and the impact it had on normal people. Japan was not innocent, but the US was not justified. War is one of the ugliest sides of humanity. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.