ashylibrarian's reviews
668 reviews
Pet, by Akwaeke Emezi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.75
This was a really interesting read for me. I found it really hard to be fully invested in the story until around chapter 9. Once chapter 9 hit, I was sold and couldn't this book down.
Part of me wonders if maybe I am just not smart/academic enough to full understand what was happening throughout. The angels were really throwing me off. I understood the part about the monsters, but the angels coming out of the painting had me a bit confused.
Overall, I believe this story packs a huge punch and brings an interesting spin on some extremely heavy and important topics. It may not have been the book for me, but it is one I will remember and likley recommend.
Part of me wonders if maybe I am just not smart/academic enough to full understand what was happening throughout. The angels were really throwing me off. I understood the part about the monsters, but the angels coming out of the painting had me a bit confused.
Overall, I believe this story packs a huge punch and brings an interesting spin on some extremely heavy and important topics. It may not have been the book for me, but it is one I will remember and likley recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Lakelore, by Anna-Marie McLemore
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
I wanted to love this book. The description sounded so promising and it was an anticipated read for me for 2022.
I love the trans rep. I love the neurodiversity rep. I love the relationships, platonic and romantic. I love the way in which Lore calls out the education system's flaws in teaching reading. Everything else just fell flat. I didn't feel like a lot happened and I was a bit confused by the world under the water.
This won't likely be a go-to recommendation for me, but I'll keep it on my list.
I love the trans rep. I love the neurodiversity rep. I love the relationships, platonic and romantic. I love the way in which Lore calls out the education system's flaws in teaching reading. Everything else just fell flat. I didn't feel like a lot happened and I was a bit confused by the world under the water.
This won't likely be a go-to recommendation for me, but I'll keep it on my list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence
These Deadly Games, by Diana Urban
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer meets Unfriended in a game-based horror novel of cheats, lies, and deception.
This book did not always feel 100% realistic, but it was a wild journey, and I did have fun (most of the time) while reading it.
There were plenty of times that I was super annoyed with Crystal (the MC) becuase she was being so completely reckless and not picking up on what An0nym0us1 was getting her to do. But Diana Urban did a stellar job creating scenes that kept me coming back and wanting to find out what happens next.
I will likely recommend this title in the future, though it may not be my first grab.
This book did not always feel 100% realistic, but it was a wild journey, and I did have fun (most of the time) while reading it.
There were plenty of times that I was super annoyed with Crystal (the MC) becuase she was being so completely reckless and not picking up on what An0nym0us1 was getting her to do. But Diana Urban did a stellar job creating scenes that kept me coming back and wanting to find out what happens next.
I will likely recommend this title in the future, though it may not be my first grab.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Death, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Alcoholism, Confinement, and Torture
Minor: Racism, Eating disorder, and Car accident
A Million to One, by Adiba Jaigirdar
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
4.0
...I did say I was going to be reading everything by Adiba Jaigirdar, and this exception.
Oceans 8 meets Six of Crows but make it Titanic in this adventurous heist novel.
I had a great time reading this historical fiction. It is not a perfect, flawless novel, but the adventure, the heist, the cast of characters. I could not put it down.
It didn't always feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, which for me was a bit sad, but I think it helps to make it appeal to a broader audience since historical fiction can be a difficult sell sometimes.
The character dynamics were flying all over the page. Each of the main characters had a specific, unique purpose.
I will be recommending this title.
Oceans 8 meets Six of Crows but make it Titanic in this adventurous heist novel.
I had a great time reading this historical fiction. It is not a perfect, flawless novel, but the adventure, the heist, the cast of characters. I could not put it down.
It didn't always feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, which for me was a bit sad, but I think it helps to make it appeal to a broader audience since historical fiction can be a difficult sell sometimes.
The character dynamics were flying all over the page. Each of the main characters had a specific, unique purpose.
I will be recommending this title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Sexism, and Racism
Minor: Abandonment and Toxic friendship
Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms, by Crystal Frasier
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? No
4.25
Such a good story! The characters are funny, powerful, and inspiring. The blossoming relationships were fun to watch and the character growth throughout was inspirational. This is one will absolutely be recommending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexual harassment, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming
Starfish, by Lisa Fipps
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
5.0
Wow...This book hit hard in all the right yet emotional ways.
Ellie has spent her life being fat-shammed by her peers, doctors, and even her own family. This has taken a toll on her in so many ways. The only place Ellie feels comfortable, confident, and weightless is in her swimming pool. She has a connection with water that brings her joy and peace while the rest of the world races by.
I absolutely HATED Ellie's mom in all the ways I think the author intended. She was awful in the things she said, the things she did, and the ways in which she saw, or rather didn't see, Ellie. The diets, the surgeries, the doctors. Ellie's mother never stopped to ask what Ellie needed and instead just pushed upon her what she, the mother, wanted.
To hear that her mother and brother were embarrassed to be seen with her broke my heart. To hear the names Ellie's peers called her broke my heart. But to watch Ellie grow and rise up through these clouds with the help and support of a therapist and friends was a transformation I absolutely NEEDED to read about.
I will absolutely always be recommending this book to all the readers.
Ellie has spent her life being fat-shammed by her peers, doctors, and even her own family. This has taken a toll on her in so many ways. The only place Ellie feels comfortable, confident, and weightless is in her swimming pool. She has a connection with water that brings her joy and peace while the rest of the world races by.
I absolutely HATED Ellie's mom in all the ways I think the author intended. She was awful in the things she said, the things she did, and the ways in which she saw, or rather didn't see, Ellie. The diets, the surgeries, the doctors. Ellie's mother never stopped to ask what Ellie needed and instead just pushed upon her what she, the mother, wanted.
To hear that her mother and brother were embarrassed to be seen with her broke my heart. To hear the names Ellie's peers called her broke my heart. But to watch Ellie grow and rise up through these clouds with the help and support of a therapist and friends was a transformation I absolutely NEEDED to read about.
I will absolutely always be recommending this book to all the readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Body shaming
Moderate: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse
Good Girl, Bad Blood, by Holly Jackson
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
This was a decent follow-up to A Good Girls Guide to Murder. I appreciated the podcast aspect of the story, feeling that it was realistic and unique. That being said, it was a bit more difficult for me to buy into this story because it uses most of the same characters with a similar plot line.
How could the police ignore Pippa for a second time after she only just recently solve the 5-year-old mystery murder case for their town? I can't seem to imagine the town would die down and let her solve this next mystery on her own without some sort of media attention.
With that being said, I still enjoyed this audiobook and had a fun time reading through it and trying to solve what happened.
I am torn if I will continue on to book 3 or let my curiosity die here and pick up other Holly Jackson books.
How could the police ignore Pippa for a second time after she only just recently solve the 5-year-old mystery murder case for their town? I can't seem to imagine the town would die down and let her solve this next mystery on her own without some sort of media attention.
With that being said, I still enjoyed this audiobook and had a fun time reading through it and trying to solve what happened.
I am torn if I will continue on to book 3 or let my curiosity die here and pick up other Holly Jackson books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, Murder, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
I am glad I was behind on reading this title because I think it allowed me to enjoy it more than if I had read it during its high hype time.
I had a fun time listening to this book. It was not perfect by any means, but the plot is engaging and kept my attention the whole way.
- Some parts of the story did not feel super realistic because it was happening to a teenager, but I think that was also what made the story feel so quick-paced
- The cast of characters was helpful to building depth to the story and even some distractions at parts where clues were given
This is a title I will recommend.
I had a fun time listening to this book. It was not perfect by any means, but the plot is engaging and kept my attention the whole way.
- Some parts of the story did not feel super realistic because it was happening to a teenager, but I think that was also what made the story feel so quick-paced
- The cast of characters was helpful to building depth to the story and even some distractions at parts where clues were given
This is a title I will recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Self harm
Turtles of the Midnight Moon, by María José Fitzgerald
adventurous
informative
inspiring
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
**Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
This is a unique younger middle-grade story that encompasses mystery, wildlife conservation, culture, and a tad bit of magical realism.
As Barana and Abby set out to discover the mysterious poachers who have taken over the shores of Honduras and are stealing sea turtle eggs, they discover mysteries and secrets about the island and Barana's hometown that come as a shock to everyone.
This story kept my attention and brought out all the aspects of a mystery in an appropriate way for younger middle-grade readers to comprehend. I think it would have been neat to learn a little bit more about the magical realism aspect of the story, but it was a unique and fun touch to the plot.
I also really appreciate the back matter of the book that gives more information on sea turtles and conservation efforts.
I will likely recommend this title.
This is a unique younger middle-grade story that encompasses mystery, wildlife conservation, culture, and a tad bit of magical realism.
As Barana and Abby set out to discover the mysterious poachers who have taken over the shores of Honduras and are stealing sea turtle eggs, they discover mysteries and secrets about the island and Barana's hometown that come as a shock to everyone.
This story kept my attention and brought out all the aspects of a mystery in an appropriate way for younger middle-grade readers to comprehend. I think it would have been neat to learn a little bit more about the magical realism aspect of the story, but it was a unique and fun touch to the plot.
I also really appreciate the back matter of the book that gives more information on sea turtles and conservation efforts.
I will likely recommend this title.
Belle of the Ball, by Mari Costa
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25
**Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
This is a cute graphic novel about exploring and rediscovering who you want to be.
I think the romance is cute and the ending is warm and fuzzy. I do feel like it was missing a little something to REALLY draw me into the story, though.
The characters did not seem to have much spark to them that was new and different, though I think the complex dynamics between the relationships are something to praise.
I still enjoyed the read and will recommend this.
This is a cute graphic novel about exploring and rediscovering who you want to be.
I think the romance is cute and the ending is warm and fuzzy. I do feel like it was missing a little something to REALLY draw me into the story, though.
The characters did not seem to have much spark to them that was new and different, though I think the complex dynamics between the relationships are something to praise.
I still enjoyed the read and will recommend this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Bullying