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zaiphon's reviews
147 reviews
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-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? No
5.0
"The Reformatory" is a must-read for anyone’s "TBR" list. Trust me—you won’t regret it. This dark historical fiction is set in the fictional town of Gracetown, Florida, during the Jim Crow era. The story alternates between the perspectives of Gloria Stephens and her brother, Robert “Robbie” Stephens Jr., as they navigate the unfolding events that change their lives forever.
Robbie is sentenced to the Gracetown School for Boys after kicking Lyle, the son of the most powerful white landowner in town, for making unwanted advances toward his sister. The absurdity of this sentence is rooted in Lyle’s family’s influence, showcasing the racial injustices of the time. Gloria, dealing with the loss of their mother and being separated from their father, struggles with the overwhelming burden of protecting Robbie.
What really stands out about this novel is the writing. "The Reformatory" is beautifully crafted, with each character deeply etched into my memory as I read. The attention to detail, especially in conveying the characters’ personalities and painting vivid scenes—even the tragic ones—elevates this story to a brilliant work of literature.
The novel doesn't shy away from depicting the darker parts of history, yet it skillfully captures the humanity and innocence of real-life people who deserved so much more than what they received. This is my introduction to Due’s writing, and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
In the author’s notes, Due shares a personal connection to the story—her uncle, Robert Stephens, was tied to the Dozier School for Boys. This personal insight adds an extra layer of emotional weight, making the narrative even more impactful.
Robert, Redbone, and Blue will stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page.
Robbie is sentenced to the Gracetown School for Boys after kicking Lyle, the son of the most powerful white landowner in town, for making unwanted advances toward his sister. The absurdity of this sentence is rooted in Lyle’s family’s influence, showcasing the racial injustices of the time. Gloria, dealing with the loss of their mother and being separated from their father, struggles with the overwhelming burden of protecting Robbie.
What really stands out about this novel is the writing. "The Reformatory" is beautifully crafted, with each character deeply etched into my memory as I read. The attention to detail, especially in conveying the characters’ personalities and painting vivid scenes—even the tragic ones—elevates this story to a brilliant work of literature.
The novel doesn't shy away from depicting the darker parts of history, yet it skillfully captures the humanity and innocence of real-life people who deserved so much more than what they received. This is my introduction to Due’s writing, and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
In the author’s notes, Due shares a personal connection to the story—her uncle, Robert Stephens, was tied to the Dozier School for Boys. This personal insight adds an extra layer of emotional weight, making the narrative even more impactful.
Robert, Redbone, and Blue will stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Back at it again reviewing another classic! I vaguely remember reading "Flowers for Algernon" in school and I could only recollect feeling touched and intrigued by the narrative. After this re-read, I came away with a lot more that my adult self has taken away. I feel it fits well with my perception of the novel.
As the story begins we are introduced to Charlie Gordon, who has a low IQ under 100. Through flashbacks of his memories, we come to understand most of his childhood had centered around that fact. His family has all but abandonded him, but thanks to his Uncle, he had secured Charlie employment and a place to live his days. All of this changes when he is offered the chance of a lifetime - to become "smart" as Charlie says, through an operation. An experiment. The novel takes us through Charlie's ever changing world after his operation, alongside revelations of both his past and the ever changing world around him.
At initial review, themes of artificial ingelligence and utilizing science to go against how "nature intended" are at the forefront of the story. It boldly presents itself as Charlie discovers his friends mock his intelligence, as he revisits flashbacks of traumatic moments in his past, and how his intelligent self shapes his family and friends in the present through those deplorable memories. However, I am more engrossed in discussing the emotional intelligence aspect of the story and the message it left behind. In my perspective, I felt this novel was a harrowing journey of peer acceptance, facing painful memories, and finding the joy in your surroundings no matter how small. Charlie was continously gaining all the intelligence of the world, but he desired internal peace, friendship, and the love of a mother. No amount of study, fluency in language, or intellectual conversations and reports could give a man that. Charlie's progress reports failed to capture and emphasize his personal struggles, and so he begins creating his own diary entries of sorts to reflect. The lack of accentuation on this topic speaks to how Nemur and all the others did not see the importance in studying human emotions more fully and that the idea of Charlie being a person happy and well lived prior to the experiment is comical and incomprehensible in their eyes.
Charlie is experiencing life in fast forward, explorations of love, women, isolation, and loneliness all in the span of several months. Does "old" Charlie's lack of focus on these experiences prove he was dumb and not getting satisfaction out of life in the way humanity thinks he should? No, I don't believe that is true. Why would "old" Charlie not question loneliness? Because for him, he had all the friends in the world. Why would he not question love? He felt he understood it in his own way. Why not confront his mother sooner? Because, he found his own ways to persevere and move forward in his life, even though he did inherently have some level of recogniton and emotional reaction to his past. It could be said that Charlie already had the tools he needed to life a happy life for himself. He did not feel thwarted by life's challenges enough to render him unhappy. Intelligence alone isn't the key to achiecing happiness. To him, he was happy, he just wanted to have his family feel proud. It was authentic emotional connection he craved to undersrand. Why would readers think otherwise? Maybe it could be said that because we have lived different lives and different experiences, that we all have differing expectations on how to go about solving our lives problems. We have higher expectations because we have further explored the consequences and emotional capacity we have to our past and present. I guess the question still remains - which way is right? Which person is smarter and has lived life truly? I don't think there is a black and white answer. If that were the case, then why did Charlie face difficult hurdles? His inability to not be able to fully grasp emotional intelligence led him further down a path of isolation. He couldn't learn this from a book or a class.
As I neared the novel's ending, I had begun to feel deeply for Charlie. I wanted to see him succeed. But once I finished, I didn't feel that Charlie would be lonely and alone forever. Just as he asked for Algernon, all anyone really wants is for someone to remember them as they are. Use the gift we have of thought to be empathetic to humans and see them for who they are and what they truly stand for. We are all humans. We are all somebody worthy in our own ways.
As the story begins we are introduced to Charlie Gordon, who has a low IQ under 100. Through flashbacks of his memories, we come to understand most of his childhood had centered around that fact. His family has all but abandonded him, but thanks to his Uncle, he had secured Charlie employment and a place to live his days. All of this changes when he is offered the chance of a lifetime - to become "smart" as Charlie says, through an operation. An experiment. The novel takes us through Charlie's ever changing world after his operation, alongside revelations of both his past and the ever changing world around him.
At initial review, themes of artificial ingelligence and utilizing science to go against how "nature intended" are at the forefront of the story. It boldly presents itself as Charlie discovers his friends mock his intelligence, as he revisits flashbacks of traumatic moments in his past, and how his intelligent self shapes his family and friends in the present through those deplorable memories. However, I am more engrossed in discussing the emotional intelligence aspect of the story and the message it left behind. In my perspective, I felt this novel was a harrowing journey of peer acceptance, facing painful memories, and finding the joy in your surroundings no matter how small. Charlie was continously gaining all the intelligence of the world, but he desired internal peace, friendship, and the love of a mother. No amount of study, fluency in language, or intellectual conversations and reports could give a man that. Charlie's progress reports failed to capture and emphasize his personal struggles, and so he begins creating his own diary entries of sorts to reflect. The lack of accentuation on this topic speaks to how Nemur and all the others did not see the importance in studying human emotions more fully and that the idea of Charlie being a person happy and well lived prior to the experiment is comical and incomprehensible in their eyes.
Charlie is experiencing life in fast forward, explorations of love, women, isolation, and loneliness all in the span of several months. Does "old" Charlie's lack of focus on these experiences prove he was dumb and not getting satisfaction out of life in the way humanity thinks he should? No, I don't believe that is true. Why would "old" Charlie not question loneliness? Because for him, he had all the friends in the world. Why would he not question love? He felt he understood it in his own way. Why not confront his mother sooner? Because, he found his own ways to persevere and move forward in his life, even though he did inherently have some level of recogniton and emotional reaction to his past. It could be said that Charlie already had the tools he needed to life a happy life for himself. He did not feel thwarted by life's challenges enough to render him unhappy. Intelligence alone isn't the key to achiecing happiness. To him, he was happy, he just wanted to have his family feel proud. It was authentic emotional connection he craved to undersrand. Why would readers think otherwise? Maybe it could be said that because we have lived different lives and different experiences, that we all have differing expectations on how to go about solving our lives problems. We have higher expectations because we have further explored the consequences and emotional capacity we have to our past and present. I guess the question still remains - which way is right? Which person is smarter and has lived life truly? I don't think there is a black and white answer. If that were the case, then why did Charlie face difficult hurdles? His inability to not be able to fully grasp emotional intelligence led him further down a path of isolation. He couldn't learn this from a book or a class.
As I neared the novel's ending, I had begun to feel deeply for Charlie. I wanted to see him succeed. But once I finished, I didn't feel that Charlie would be lonely and alone forever. Just as he asked for Algernon, all anyone really wants is for someone to remember them as they are. Use the gift we have of thought to be empathetic to humans and see them for who they are and what they truly stand for. We are all humans. We are all somebody worthy in our own ways.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My Dark Vanessa immerses readers in the complex perspective of Vanessa, beginning at 15 years old and shifting between her past and present as she grapples with her perception of events from her adult life. Vanessa forms a relationship with her high school teacher—an affair that continues to haunt her long into adulthood. While the themes of grooming and abuse are not new to me, I found myself deeply drawn into the intricate dynamics between characters. The novel left me reflecting on my own experiences, as well as on my role as a supporter of victims.
What stands out in My Dark Vanessa is that the entire narrative is told from Vanessa’s point of view. Her voice is the lens through which we experience the unfolding of her trauma. The novel doesn’t provide neat or clean cut answers; instead, it challenges us to interpret the events based on our own moral compass. This ambiguity forces us to engage with the story on a deeper level. Additionally, the writing invites readers to consider multiple perspectives, showing how Vanessa emotionally reacts to the changing dynamics in her life as she matures. This ability to initiate deep, thoughtful conversations is one of the novel’s most compelling features.
For those dealing with trauma related to grooming or abuse, this book may be a difficult read. However, beneath its heavy themes, "My Dark Vanessa" is beautifully written and I recommend everyone read this at least once. A story that will continue to matter in our political landscape, especially now more than ever.
What stands out in My Dark Vanessa is that the entire narrative is told from Vanessa’s point of view. Her voice is the lens through which we experience the unfolding of her trauma. The novel doesn’t provide neat or clean cut answers; instead, it challenges us to interpret the events based on our own moral compass. This ambiguity forces us to engage with the story on a deeper level. Additionally, the writing invites readers to consider multiple perspectives, showing how Vanessa emotionally reacts to the changing dynamics in her life as she matures. This ability to initiate deep, thoughtful conversations is one of the novel’s most compelling features.
For those dealing with trauma related to grooming or abuse, this book may be a difficult read. However, beneath its heavy themes, "My Dark Vanessa" is beautifully written and I recommend everyone read this at least once. A story that will continue to matter in our political landscape, especially now more than ever.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
"Crown of Midnight" brought the same vibes as "Throne of Glass" and continued a lot of world building and character development/relationships. For me, I was expecting more progression in the story and there were a lot of repetitive parts within the first half.
Despite this, the last 100 pages really picked up and ended on a interesting note. The cliffhanger is the kind that makes you excited to see the next era within the series and I am anticipating that things will really start to pick up here.
The thing that shines in this series for me thus far are the characters. Their relationships and dialogue have me locked in to see how they continue to grow through the continuation of the series. As we continue to learn more about the "Throne of Glass" universe, it is supported by characters who bring both suspense and drama. Alongside this, the plot has been more of a standstill than I would have liked. The plot twists were not that shocking and most of them were either pretty obvious or underwhelming. It was the characters themselves that set the stage for the ending, so I am really hoping we see more high stake plot twists in the future.
And in the spirit of getting this tradition to stick, things I liked:
- Chaol (still, don't yell at me)
- Dorian (I decided that he didn't deserve my annoyance I was reserving for him
- Mort because I cannot stop picturing the doorknob in Alice and Wonderland
- Anticipation of learning more about Erilea and the different kingdoms
Despite this, the last 100 pages really picked up and ended on a interesting note. The cliffhanger is the kind that makes you excited to see the next era within the series and I am anticipating that things will really start to pick up here.
The thing that shines in this series for me thus far are the characters. Their relationships and dialogue have me locked in to see how they continue to grow through the continuation of the series. As we continue to learn more about the "Throne of Glass" universe, it is supported by characters who bring both suspense and drama. Alongside this, the plot has been more of a standstill than I would have liked. The plot twists were not that shocking and most of them were either pretty obvious or underwhelming. It was the characters themselves that set the stage for the ending, so I am really hoping we see more high stake plot twists in the future.
And in the spirit of getting this tradition to stick, things I liked:
- Chaol (still, don't yell at me)
- Dorian (I decided that he didn't deserve my annoyance I was reserving for him
- Mort because I cannot stop picturing the doorknob in Alice and Wonderland
- Anticipation of learning more about Erilea and the different kingdoms
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The premise of "You've reached Sam" is a wonderful idea and some of the themes explored I really enjoyed. However, the execution and pacing continously fell short and I ended the story feeling a mix of being underwhelmed and frustrated.
We follow Julie through the beginning stages of grief after the death of her boyfriend, Sam. She is just a few months shy of graduation and her whole world and all her future plans are in turmoil. While I do understand the back and forth emotions Julie is experiencing is a legit reaction, there were a lot of times as the reader that I felt disconnected from how the author was attempting to portray these experiences. I personally felt that the pacing being all over the place was the cause of this. It isn't until you get closer to the end of the story do you realize where the author was going with this. Even though we are meant to feel deep empathy for Julie, I found it hard to do so at times because I didn't ever truly have a full sense of Sam and who he was. It was difficult at times to read the way Julie is describing her anguish or her longing for what could be because it came off more selfish rather than working through the feelings of hope, sadness, and anger with the discovery of getting to "reconnect" with Sam again. The romance didn't stick for me outsidd of a few scarce moments and because I couldn't get a strong indication of these characters outside of a simple foundation, some of the emotional scenes did not impact me as much as it was expected to.
There were a couple of scenes near the end that I did enjoy because it allowed the reader to step outside of Julie's chaos and reflect on how death and grief affects the other characters. It was also interesting to see a side from Sam that we were able to explore due to the circumstances of the story.
Overall, I was really expecting more and didn't feel emotionally connected as deeply to the characters as I hoped. It was an interesting concept, but it missed the mark too often to keep me fully engaged.
We follow Julie through the beginning stages of grief after the death of her boyfriend, Sam. She is just a few months shy of graduation and her whole world and all her future plans are in turmoil. While I do understand the back and forth emotions Julie is experiencing is a legit reaction, there were a lot of times as the reader that I felt disconnected from how the author was attempting to portray these experiences. I personally felt that the pacing being all over the place was the cause of this. It isn't until you get closer to the end of the story do you realize where the author was going with this. Even though we are meant to feel deep empathy for Julie, I found it hard to do so at times because I didn't ever truly have a full sense of Sam and who he was. It was difficult at times to read the way Julie is describing her anguish or her longing for what could be because it came off more selfish rather than working through the feelings of hope, sadness, and anger with the discovery of getting to "reconnect" with Sam again. The romance didn't stick for me outsidd of a few scarce moments and because I couldn't get a strong indication of these characters outside of a simple foundation, some of the emotional scenes did not impact me as much as it was expected to.
There were a couple of scenes near the end that I did enjoy because it allowed the reader to step outside of Julie's chaos and reflect on how death and grief affects the other characters. It was also interesting to see a side from Sam that we were able to explore due to the circumstances of the story.
Overall, I was really expecting more and didn't feel emotionally connected as deeply to the characters as I hoped. It was an interesting concept, but it missed the mark too often to keep me fully engaged.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Starting this Throne of Glass journey so I can see what all the chatter is about! I have read ACOTAR and enjoyed it for what it was, so I was hoping this would be along the same lines.
What I liked:
- Chaol
What I didn't like:
- Some of the writing was very repetitive. I understand this was written when SJM was young, so I am hoping there will be improvements
- Battle scenes felt rushed
- Wish there was a little more description and anticipation for the tests during the competition
Overall, this book is definitely more focused on character/relationship building and world building. If we are focusing solely on this, then it did well to set the scene for the rest of the series. With that being said, I do feel I am off to a slow start. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though so I am hoping I see the plot pick up and pacing improve. The world building was easy to pick up on and some of the twists were not surprising, but if it is one thing she does well, it is the dialogue between characters and the desire it makes to see where the characters will take me next.
PS - I might also love Chaol. I also know I can regret this later. But I am hoping that I won't.
What I liked:
- Chaol
What I didn't like:
- Some of the writing was very repetitive. I understand this was written when SJM was young, so I am hoping there will be improvements
- Battle scenes felt rushed
- Wish there was a little more description and anticipation for the tests during the competition
Overall, this book is definitely more focused on character/relationship building and world building. If we are focusing solely on this, then it did well to set the scene for the rest of the series. With that being said, I do feel I am off to a slow start. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though so I am hoping I see the plot pick up and pacing improve. The world building was easy to pick up on and some of the twists were not surprising, but if it is one thing she does well, it is the dialogue between characters and the desire it makes to see where the characters will take me next.
PS - I might also love Chaol. I also know I can regret this later. But I am hoping that I won't.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
It's February, so tried to squeeze in some romance. I picked this up on a whim (literally, my sister picked it up off the shelf and told me to read it) and I had no idea this was a fanfiction published some years back. Not a stranger to fan fiction and I was a reader of it back in the day 😅
For me, there were many parts of this book that strung together in a way that seemed like cheap writing.
The beginning of this book I did enjoy. I rather liked reading about Gwen's history with music and what draws her to it. I thought it was a great balance to tie together with the romance aspect. The pacing was perfect and I was drawn into the character's interactions with each other and the worlds of their music career. Where it starts to fall apart is once the two characters finally come together. It felt like I was reading a completely different book. The last 100 pages tried to fit too much too quickly. The conflicts that arose and the way the characters handled them felt like we were taking a step back. Things get resolved so quickly with not much satisfaction for me and the pacing and character development crashed through at this point. There were points where the FMC and MMC had opportunities to face their insecurities and I was excited to see how this was tackled..only for it to be a 3rd act break up that is resolved and everything is back to normal. I was left feeling a little disappointed because there was a magic to this at the first half. I would be curious to see Soto's future works and see how she progresses. I definitely think she can deliver some sweet and fun romances, but this one's latter half did not do it for me.
For me, there were many parts of this book that strung together in a way that seemed like cheap writing.
The beginning of this book I did enjoy. I rather liked reading about Gwen's history with music and what draws her to it. I thought it was a great balance to tie together with the romance aspect. The pacing was perfect and I was drawn into the character's interactions with each other and the worlds of their music career. Where it starts to fall apart is once the two characters finally come together. It felt like I was reading a completely different book. The last 100 pages tried to fit too much too quickly. The conflicts that arose and the way the characters handled them felt like we were taking a step back. Things get resolved so quickly with not much satisfaction for me and the pacing and character development crashed through at this point. There were points where the FMC and MMC had opportunities to face their insecurities and I was excited to see how this was tackled..only for it to be a 3rd act break up that is resolved and everything is back to normal. I was left feeling a little disappointed because there was a magic to this at the first half. I would be curious to see Soto's future works and see how she progresses. I definitely think she can deliver some sweet and fun romances, but this one's latter half did not do it for me.
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have not had the opportunity to read "Carmilla" but I came upon this novel as part of the Aardvark subscription. From what I gather, this isn't an exact re-telling, so if you are fans of the original classic, then you may very well enjoy a refreshed version.
For me however, I ended this feeling.. indifferent. While this is wonderfully written, I had some trouble with the pacing. There was a chunk in the middle that felt a little too redundant and the plot felt to be at a standstill. I had expectations that this would be a little more intense and a lot more vampire gothic. Those aspects weren't completely missing, but for me it fell a little flat. Despite these things, the novel displays the tension of our FMC very well. We are in the mind of Lenore as she navigates a crumbling marriage amidst the unpacking of her tragic and lonely upbringing.
A lot of people are going to love this and may even be moved by the themes. A centralized plot point for our FMC explores topics of discovery of one's self worth within the world and having the inner strength to pull yourself up and grab your own destiny by the reins. The descriptive writing surrounding these relatable themes is this novel's main strength.
For me however, I ended this feeling.. indifferent. While this is wonderfully written, I had some trouble with the pacing. There was a chunk in the middle that felt a little too redundant and the plot felt to be at a standstill. I had expectations that this would be a little more intense and a lot more vampire gothic. Those aspects weren't completely missing, but for me it fell a little flat. Despite these things, the novel displays the tension of our FMC very well. We are in the mind of Lenore as she navigates a crumbling marriage amidst the unpacking of her tragic and lonely upbringing.
A lot of people are going to love this and may even be moved by the themes. A centralized plot point for our FMC explores topics of discovery of one's self worth within the world and having the inner strength to pull yourself up and grab your own destiny by the reins. The descriptive writing surrounding these relatable themes is this novel's main strength.
The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is only my third book by T.J. Klune, and like many others, I began with The House in the Cerulean Sea. This novel definitely carries the same vibes and Klune's signature touch, but it has a slightly different atmosphere at times. There’s a more serious tone throughout, with much of the focus on the growing connection between Nate and Alex. All of this comes together to create something that feels like an action-thriller.
The characters were quirky and fun; what I would expect from Klune. We follow the story through MMC Nate; a late twenties journalist who has recently been catapulted into the trenches of grief. Determined to wallow in isolation until he figures things out, he ends up thrusting into the chaos of Alex and Art. Artemis Darth Vader btw, to be more precise. The trio quickly band together to see their journey through to end. And what a journey this was! Government conspiracies, aliens, dark pasts, a cult on the off the grid farm, camping in the badlands, and bison. And yes, all of these things are significant to the story.
I loved going on the journey with these three and discovering their pasts and their hearts along the way. Recommend for anyone looking for a road-trip/journey type of narrative, with queer representation, and characters that can both make you laugh and make you feel.
The characters were quirky and fun; what I would expect from Klune. We follow the story through MMC Nate; a late twenties journalist who has recently been catapulted into the trenches of grief. Determined to wallow in isolation until he figures things out, he ends up thrusting into the chaos of Alex and Art. Artemis Darth Vader btw, to be more precise. The trio quickly band together to see their journey through to end. And what a journey this was! Government conspiracies, aliens, dark pasts, a cult on the off the grid farm, camping in the badlands, and bison. And yes, all of these things are significant to the story.
I loved going on the journey with these three and discovering their pasts and their hearts along the way. Recommend for anyone looking for a road-trip/journey type of narrative, with queer representation, and characters that can both make you laugh and make you feel.
Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"Scythe and Sparrow" had the same campy charm as the others in the trilogy and there were plenty of moments I enjoyed. However (please don't hate me) I felt a little disappointed by the pacing and the way things were wrapped up.
What I loved:
- Fionn
- Rose being a badass
- The random moments of body horror that also managed to make me laugh
- The wittyness and banter
- Love letters
- Barbara
Dislikes:
- Not delving far enough into Fionn's inner darkness
- Missing a lot of background of Rose; pre her joining the circus
- Things didn't come off as intense as the others in the series.
- Half the book felt like a recap in other POVs and was too redundant
- The ending conclusion fell flat to me
I absolutely wanted to love this, but it just felt like it is missing things. While I realize to get the full story we did need to be back in Book 1/2 for parts of the story, I ended feeling there was lost potential to stand on it's own. There were times it started to feel repetitive. The epilogue was cute, until you read the 2nd one. Then I just had more questions.
What I loved:
- Fionn
- Rose being a badass
- The random moments of body horror that also managed to make me laugh
- The wittyness and banter
- Love letters
- Barbara
Dislikes:
- Not delving far enough into Fionn's inner darkness
- Missing a lot of background of Rose; pre her joining the circus
- Things didn't come off as intense as the others in the series.
- Half the book felt like a recap in other POVs and was too redundant
- The ending conclusion fell flat to me
I absolutely wanted to love this, but it just felt like it is missing things. While I realize to get the full story we did need to be back in Book 1/2 for parts of the story, I ended feeling there was lost potential to stand on it's own. There were times it started to feel repetitive. The epilogue was cute, until you read the 2nd one. Then I just had more questions.