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courtofsmutandstuff's reviews
1257 reviews
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book gives me Hunger Games meets Percy "pay your child support" Jackson in the best way. Book 2 picks up immediately after book 1, so if you haven't picked up The Sunbearer Duology, now's your time while it is complete!! It is unabashedly queer, but this book also 100% focuses on the system of oppression that led to so much pain and suffering, while also showing the very nascent love story between Teo and Aurelio. Aiden is getting deeper and more complex with his writing, and I'm excited to see what he has next (which is apparently Titanic in space and I'm so excited!!)
Also thank you to Libra FM for the Educator ALC!
Also thank you to Libra FM for the Educator ALC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Death of parent
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
3.0
This book gave me Mexican Gothic vibes (young woman goes to live with family and her cousin is mysteriously poisoned and the FMC tries to save her) but it was also very much a romance at times, but I'm always weirded out when Young Adult books go full smut (don't get me wrong, I love smut, but it's a little uncomfy for it to be in a YA, even if FMC is 19). I did like the mystery element, and while there were some parts I saw coming, I was still surprised in several places which is always nice.
If you're not going to be thrown off to have some smut in your YA and are looking for a spooky mystery, pick this up!
If you're not going to be thrown off to have some smut in your YA and are looking for a spooky mystery, pick this up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
I really loved this trilogy, and man, does Sanderson know how to wrap up a series at the end. I appreciated that there were stakes and costs, and liked that I was able to catch some foreshadowing elements. While it was frustrating all questions weren't answered until almost the end of book 3, but it was so nice that they were answered. I still wish there were more women, and while I appreciate the representation with Cett, I do think it's still a little problematic how often Sanderson will mention his "useless legs" or similar details.
<spoilers> And seriously, Sazed's "Unfortunately, I am the hero of ages" is DELIGHTFUL. I really do love Sazed, how he behaves, that it makes sense for how he wraps up, that he would totally try to save Vin and Elend, but I'm glad they were able to rest. </spoilers>
<spoilers> And seriously, Sazed's "Unfortunately, I am the hero of ages" is DELIGHTFUL. I really do love Sazed, how he behaves, that it makes sense for how he wraps up, that he would totally try to save Vin and Elend, but I'm glad they were able to rest. </spoilers>
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
Really enjoying this series, the world building, and how things are developing. It was nice that another female character was introduced, but yeah, it would be great if Sanderson didn't just have one or two women and call it a day.
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
Even though my friends refused to confirm any of my predictions/answer my questions in advance, I really loved this book and begrudgingly guess they were right that it is better to just let Sanderson confirm all. My only complaint literally is there are not more women in it - it's essentially just Vin, and then one villainous woman and one dead woman. I absolutely love the world building, and while my friends are telling me to savor these books, I just want to devour them and know everything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Bananapants by Penny Reid
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored this book.
I've loved the Knitting in the City series for years and I was utterly delighted in a book that features Janie and Quinn's son (Desmond) and Fiona and Greg's daughter (Ava) as childhood best friends turned lovers who are just full of SO MUCH YEARNING for each other. Desmond has ADHD and bipolar and the representation is amazing (I literally texted my group chat one of the lines about inattentive ADHD and it just SAW us) and truly everyone deserves and is capable of getting an amazing love story. I can't recommend this book enough, and hope she writes more 2nd gen Knitting/Winston Bros books.
Thank you so much to the author for an ARC; I know I'm your target audience and I couldn't be more happy to have read this book.
I've loved the Knitting in the City series for years and I was utterly delighted in a book that features Janie and Quinn's son (Desmond) and Fiona and Greg's daughter (Ava) as childhood best friends turned lovers who are just full of SO MUCH YEARNING for each other. Desmond has ADHD and bipolar and the representation is amazing (I literally texted my group chat one of the lines about inattentive ADHD and it just SAW us) and truly everyone deserves and is capable of getting an amazing love story. I can't recommend this book enough, and hope she writes more 2nd gen Knitting/Winston Bros books.
Thank you so much to the author for an ARC; I know I'm your target audience and I couldn't be more happy to have read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Confinement
The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Marriage in crisis books are rough for me, but I love Sarah MacLean, and did enjoy this. I do have questions about if she always planned for Haven to be a hero (based on how he's portrayed in book 1), and I love how her books are interconnected but can also be standalones. I love how Sera found herself and advocates for herself, but I didn't really like that they get divorced just to immediately get remarried - I felt like it was leading towards Sera just NEEDING to be her own entity, so I anticipated the divorce but then they would just scandalously live together. I'm happy for Sera that she was also able to have children but it felt like an epilogue miracle too, but I'm glad she gets everything she wanted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Infertility
Moderate: Infidelity
Triple-Duty Bodyguards by Lily Gold
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really loved Three Swedish Mountain Men which I got on an audible sale, and picked this one up right away after. And while TSMM had some trauma for all the characters, this one has TRAUMA, so if darker issues are not your cup of tea or you're looking for a light romance, this is definitely not the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
dark
4.0
This was HEAVY but good. I was engaged with the story and like Enchanted's POV, especially as things progress and you see her rationalizing, fear, and determination. This was the heaviest of her books I've read, but it was still really good, and I do recommend it, just have something light and fluffy on deck for your next read.
<spoilers> Also I LOVE HER ONE SENTENCE SHAKE UPS. She did something similar in Allegedly and I love how Enchanted did actually stab him at the end, but I especially love that she won't be punished for it. </spoiler?
<spoilers> Also I LOVE HER ONE SENTENCE SHAKE UPS. She did something similar in Allegedly and I love how Enchanted did actually stab him at the end, but I especially love that she won't be punished for it. </spoiler?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual assault
The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston
4.25
This was fun! This series is definitely for nerds who love all the nerdy references and isms, and aren't like "omg, they keep mentioning Doctor Who". I appreciate the retelling vibes and enjoy how fun and light this series is. Solid recommendation for anyone who likes nerdy con stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment