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podanotherjessi's reviews
817 reviews
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was definitely an improvement over the last book! I got really fed up with Violet and Xaden's relationship this book, and I would have liked more from the side characters that I'm starting to really miss, but I loved the plot. The questing was really fun, and I liked the expanding of the world. I'm glad I picked this up after being so uncertain after Iron Flame. I'm excited to see what happens next!
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved 90% of this book. It's incredibly creepy, and the vibes were amazing. I found so many beautiful quotes, and the ace rep had me happy crying as it always does. Really interesting characters and compelling plot. But the end just fell a little short and unfortunately brought the whole thing up a bit short of the 5 stars I was feeling for most of the novel.
This meets somewhere between Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton and The Wicker King by K Ancrum. Codependency, body horror, and tragedy
This meets somewhere between Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton and The Wicker King by K Ancrum. Codependency, body horror, and tragedy
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I don't really know how to review this book. It's slow and honestly kind of plodding and on the surface it doesn't feel like it's saying anything. But in the questions it poses, it lets the reader reflect. This isn't generally what I want in a reading experience, but it's really well done, and this is the kind of book I think many people could get a lot out of.
The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This joins the ranks of "wow, that was an amazing book that I'll recommend heavily, but it was so not for me!" The big strength that really kept me going through this book was the characters. I was fascinated by Baru and her thought process and genuinely wanted to see more. The plot is good, but it's very politically focused and very military strategy focused, and while I think both were executed incredibly, they just aren't things I tend to enjoy in my books. And I also just like a little bit more hope in the things I read, no matter how dark they get.
Overall, this is great if this is what you look for in fantasy. I won't be continuing the series, but I will give Exordia a chance. This would be like a 2.5/5 if I was rating based purely on my enjoyment, but I genuinely respect and think this is a great book, so it's closer to a 4 for the objective quality.
Overall, this is great if this is what you look for in fantasy. I won't be continuing the series, but I will give Exordia a chance. This would be like a 2.5/5 if I was rating based purely on my enjoyment, but I genuinely respect and think this is a great book, so it's closer to a 4 for the objective quality.
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I finished this book, I knew I loved it, but I wasn't really sure if I got it. So I immediately started over and read it again. After a second read, I only love it more. When you know the ending, the creepy and eerie feeling that was always in the background comes into much sharper focus. The slow family drama suddenly becomes horror.
This feels like one of those "the ones who get it, get it" kind of books that make it hard to fully explain what's so good. It's the kind of book where normally I'd talk about the personal connection I felt, or how the books made me feel seen, but it really didn't. As much as I tried to see myself in Ila, Irene, or Agnes, I simply couldn't. And yet I felt so much empathy and care for them.
This isn't a story about healing. Rather, it's a story about almost healing; about realizing there's something to heal from and that healing is possible. There's nothing heartwarming about it. Instead, it's very soft and yet harsh.
And of course, it's beautifully written.
This feels like one of those "the ones who get it, get it" kind of books that make it hard to fully explain what's so good. It's the kind of book where normally I'd talk about the personal connection I felt, or how the books made me feel seen, but it really didn't. As much as I tried to see myself in Ila, Irene, or Agnes, I simply couldn't. And yet I felt so much empathy and care for them.
This isn't a story about healing. Rather, it's a story about almost healing; about realizing there's something to heal from and that healing is possible. There's nothing heartwarming about it. Instead, it's very soft and yet harsh.
And of course, it's beautifully written.
Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This was fine? I was just expecting it to be much more lighthearted and funny, but mostly it was just sad. There is the satirical elements of bro culture and tech startups and things, but mostly I was just stressed watching Sammie deal with the guys all weekend. And the ending was really unsatisfactory in my opinion.
Making Love with the Land by Joshua Whitehead
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
This is entirely my fault, in two ways. First, I didn't look at the cover close enough, so I didn't realize it was essays. I've yet to like an essay collection. I was expecting more of a traditional (Western) memoir, and was confused at each abrupt change of topic.
Second, I just don't get it. That's on me and not Whitehead, but I really tried. But it just felt like he was going in circles, and the logic didn't click. This book really requires a lot of unpacking and putting aside of everything I know and understand culturally, and I just couldn't do it.
Overall, beautiful writing and I'm sure some very valuable things to say, but I just couldn't push myself through any more.
Second, I just don't get it. That's on me and not Whitehead, but I really tried. But it just felt like he was going in circles, and the logic didn't click. This book really requires a lot of unpacking and putting aside of everything I know and understand culturally, and I just couldn't do it.
Overall, beautiful writing and I'm sure some very valuable things to say, but I just couldn't push myself through any more.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
This was a bookclub book, and I was really excited for it. I read about half of it in one day and was having a great time. But then the next time I picked it up, I really didn't like. The romance had me excited initially, but then it started to feel creepy and inappropriate. I had no idea what the plan for the expats was supposed to be, and the intrigue of the ulterior motives of the Ministry just wasn't interesting to me. I found the narrator bland and kind of annoying, and whatever social commentary was supposed to be happening fell completely short for me. Really, the only things I liked were Peter and Charlotte, and they were barely around.
Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This was a really sweet and fun middle grade mystery. I would have liked a little more stakes in the mystery, which in my opinion was the weakest part, but the characters and the story of Truly adapting to her new life were really good. There were occasional cringey moments in the writing - the "truly" puns got out of hand, and I never want to see the phrase "toot soup again" - but it wasn't distracting. I'm charmed enough by the Lovejoy family and Pumpkin Falls that I will pick up the next book if I see it around.
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A really interesting concept that is executed fairly well. The book just felt a little unfinished to me, but I'm not entirely sure what I would have wanted to be done differently. Seeing all of Oona's life would have been impossible, but I was just longing for more. I think her growth was steady and well done for most of the book, and then it felt rather abrupt toward the end.
Still, a very good book. Oona is fascinating, and she's surrounded by such interesting characters. I find myself almost longing to go back and reread but chronologically to see Oona through their eyes. Really fun and well-done.
Still, a very good book. Oona is fascinating, and she's surrounded by such interesting characters. I find myself almost longing to go back and reread but chronologically to see Oona through their eyes. Really fun and well-done.