grace_koalateareads's reviews
160 reviews

Never A Hero by Vanessa Len

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense 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

5.0

Never A Hero by Vanessa Len was a mind-bending, time warping masterpiece! I literally have no other words than that. Read it. You won’t be disappointed! 

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

“‘You’re a hero and I’m a monster,’ she whispered. ‘There’s only one way that story ever ends.’” 

Only A Monster by Vanessa Len was a leap into time: memorable and magnificent! I was truly and utterly enamoured and found it really rather difficult to put this book down (for sleep only)! I’m hurriedly writing this review now so I can start the next book immediately!

I adored all the characters, the twists and turns, the historical elements, magical world building and the way it was hard to distinguish who was actually the “villain” in the story, was impressive. Joan is such a fantastic main character, her flaws and motivations expertly crafted, I could feel her anguish and struggles throughout the story, and just wanted to give her a hug! 

Nick was such a wildcard, I found I both loved and hated him in equal measure, right up until that last page! I hope to see more of Aaron in the sequel, I haven’t so many questions still!! Also a special shoutout to Frankie, the bestest time travelling pupperoonie!

I cannot sing the praises of this book more! If it’s not on your TBR list, this is your sign! 

Dark Heir by C.S. Pacat

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

5.0

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

“For the dark is never truly gone; it only waits for the world to forget, so that it may rise again.” 

To say I was entranced by this book, would be an understatement. Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat was a mysterious and mystical read. Right up until the last page I was hooked, never really knowing what was going to happen and who could be trusted. And that plot twist!? Amazing! 

Pacat’s writing is stunning: the world building, the characters, the magic and the plot as a whole. I cannot wait to read Dark Heir and continue marvelling at this story! 

The Out Side: Trans & Nonbinary Comics by The Kao, Min Christensen, David Daneman

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Whisper Songs by Tony Birch

5.0

The Quiet and the Loud by Helena Fox

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective tense 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

5.0

Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran was a heartbreakingly beautiful read. I can’t use my own words to do it justice, so here are some quotes from the book which sum up my experience reading it.

“It was hard to enter the detention centre, even harder to leave it.”

“‘Churches one of the three Cs of colonisation, Lucky said.

'And the other two?’ he asked.

'Contagion and carnage.’”

“Stories of endless months and years trapped on this island, unable to find out if the loved ones they'd left behind were alive, or in prison, or drowned; the despair of Not Knowing if they'd ever find out.”

“There’s no justice for the dead, but maybe you can still help the living.”

“Sometimes I think the only lucky ones are the dead. They're the only ones who sleep peacefully - them and the decision makers who never have to experience the horror of the wars they sign us up for.”

“How many horrors do you survive before death is a mercy?”

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

This quick yet powerful story takes the reader on a journey through occupied Palestine, through time and through details thought to be minor. 

Partly based on a true story, part one of the book follows an Israeli soldier and unit, a year after the war of 1948, in a bid to find Palestinians who have fled into the Negev desert. They do find a small encampment and murder all but a Palestinian girl, who they abuse, r*pe and inevitably kill. 

An incident that is eventually reported in the present day, which a woman in Ramallah becomes invested in researching this ‘minor detail’ of history, and uncovers more details than she realises. 

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli (translated by Elizabeth Jaquette) is one to add to your TBR pile. I was fascinated to learn more about the occupation of Palestine, the everyday struggles of the people who live there, especially in the West Bank, and how the invasion of the Israeli’s totally rewrote the land and literally changed the maps. This may have been set in a time before the Genocide happening in Gaza currently, yet the parallels were still there in neon signs. 

‘Minor Detail’ actually shows the major details in an occupation that has lasted over 75 years. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 🇵🇸🕊️

The Deep-Sea Duke by Lauren James

adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0