blackorchids's reviews
7 reviews

A Love Hate Thing by Whitney D. Grandison

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

3.75

This is perhaps the first time I’ve ever read a young adult book and thought it was too young for me. The characters were fully teenagers, realistically so, in a way that I think a lot of YA novels don’t manage, and while I did find them aggravating or superficial at times, I do see this as a positive, in terms of writing. Tyson Trice is definitely a character you find yourself wanting to root for, and I did enjoy the ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Obviously this is a modern classic for a reason.  Their chemistry is great, the plot is ridiculous, the movie adaptation may as well be an entirely different story. May we all have a Calcifer burning in our hearts too. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Violence

Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent

Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The world building is great, kind of a divergent-meets-harry potter kind of vibe, lots of frank discussions about systemic classism with regards to both jobs/living situations as well as education which is a main theme, all of the main characters are lgbt+, the poly discussions felt pretty realistic. Ending seemed rushed somehow? Unclear if there will be a sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and Dysphoria

Minor: Bullying

Multiple POVs made the story feel choppy at times, and I wish more people were on the “good” side.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was surprisingly triggering, but the ending made it worth it. A complicated read for anyone who has a complicated relationship with the “what-if”s of life. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, and Pregnancy

The entire book takes place after the main character tries to take her own life, so it’s a prevalent theme throughout.

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix

challenging dark sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

The story follows three very different characters who end up in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. The book leads up to this tragedy, illustrating the strikes, the greed of the bosses, the helplessness of the workers, the community that can be built amongst different people who come from different places. I have read this book countless times and it always draws me back in. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Classism

Love, Lucy by April Lindner

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A perfect summer romance book! The details in all the Italy scenes made me wish I was there, the after-the-trip stuff was fine. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship

I put it as moderate, the relationship is between the MC and her parents. Her dad is kind of controlling, including financially, and it could def a quick people out fast.

Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The banter between the two main characters is quite funny and engaging, the reluctant feelings, enemies-to-lovers vibe is sweet, the end always makes me sigh girlishly. Honestly, fuck the prince though. 

The show shouldn’t have been cancelled!!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse

There is a tense relationship between both the MCs and their guardians that can border on verbal abuse. The female MC is in somewhat of a Cinderella situation.