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laurenleigh's reviews
629 reviews
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really wanted to like this more. I have heard incredible things about this series, but I won’t be continuing. I think the overall tone was too...idk gross? Too gory, too bawdy, too graphic, too much toxic masculinity. I read plenty of other dark dystopian fantasies with violence and war, but this was just dark in a way that doesn’t appeal to me. Like if the Hunger Games were edited with a MMC, more violence, and a lot more talk of d!cks and sh!t. I love that some folks are way into this, but it ain’t my cup of tea.
A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I’m glad I picked up the sequel to A River Enchanted while the first book was still fresh in my mind! I enjoyed the expansion of this world, as a good sequel should do. I’m struck again by the theme of communication, or lack thereof, often due to magical forces. I can’t talk about it too much here without spoilers, but I appreciate that thread woven throughout the duology. I maybe lost some of the finer plot points in audio format, but the narrator has such a delightful Scottish accent that I love the ride regardless.
Birth Without Fear: The Judgment-Free Guide to Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum by January Harshe
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
This book was a like a warm hug from your big sister. Harshe’s down to earth approach to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum was very welcome. I don’t know that anything was brand new information to me, and it doesn’t get super deep into any one part of the process. It’s more of a helpful overview to reassure and affirm your choices, whatever they may be. My biggest takeaway is that no one “lets you” do anything; you are ultimately in charge of what feels right for you, your baby, and your family.
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This had the makings of something great, but it wasn’t quite developed enough. It was a really short read, so there was definitely space for more, in my opinion! Loved the dark academia setting, loved the sapphic elements, loved the paranormal slant. But things moved so quickly. I wanted to explore the students’ relationship to their teacher more, and I wanted to learn more about the paranormal creatures. The narrator was also a bit weird, attempting an accent with middling success.
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
My online book club’s pick for September! I keep saying I don’t read much contemporary romance, but I actually do these days. Mainly because this group picks such good ones! On the surface level alone, this is a fun rom-com that legitimately made me laugh out loud multiple times. But it’s also a really heartfelt story of what it means to be alive, the good and the bad. We get to watch our lovable main character’s growth as she learns to let people in and actually start living life. Extra points for the reference to “Being Alive,” which is probably my favorite Sondheim song of all time.
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
But wait there’s more! I knew in the back of my mind that Meyer published Twilight through Edward’s POV, but I hadn’t read it yet. So I did the tandem read! It made everything even more fun, and actually added a level of unexpected depth to the story. Edward’s voice and perspective is understandably more mature than Bella’s, and I really enjoyed this experience. Not that Edward is always a fully mature person that makes smart decisions lol. Alexa, play “I Look in People’s Windows.”
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
In the most basic move ever, the onset of fall gave me the strongest desire to revisit Twilight. Lauren a few years ago would have been too judgmental to reread, much less share about it, but if it brings me joy, that’s all that matters! There’s still plenty to roll my eyes at and certainly a few elements that didn’t age well, but damn this was so fun. This world is just so vibey, and I ate it up. I originally read this series during a particularly challenging part of my adolescence, and it’s almost like an act of reparenting to reread it now.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The emotional hold this series has on me...I did not expect to fall this in love with these characters and their stories. I was also surprised at how connected I feel to Nesta now. Before this book, I didn’t think we had much in common at all. Watching her character progression over the course of this novel was so rewarding. I still think ACOMAF slightly beats this one as my favorite of the series, but this is a VERY close second. I know I’ll look back fondly on this year and my first reading of this series.
The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I was personally expecting a much more fantastical tale, but once I got over that slight disappointment, I could enjoy this story for what is was. I loved and identified with the main character, especially enjoying her development as she gained more confidence and expanded her comfort zone. It’s helpful for me to be in an anxious main character’s brain so I can see from the outside how pointless the worrying and catastrophizing is lol. Plot was somewhat predictable, but I didn’t mind it terribly. I’d be very curious to read more from this author in the future, especially if it’s more fantasy than other genres.
The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it did not disappoint! I loveeee these characters and will follow wherever their story takes them. It was so great to watch Diana and Matthew’s relationship years down the line, their kids being almost 7. When I fall in love with a literary couple, I appreciate seeing how they grow and develop through inevitable rough times. Especially as parents, since that’s high on my mind right now! This installment of the series is almost exclusively focused on witches and Diana’s heritage, which was so perfect for budding fall vibes.