jiji_'s reviews
280 reviews
The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
adventurous
dark
funny
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? It's complicated
4.75
This duology is a HIDDEN GEM!! I finished both books a week ago, and I'm still missing the characters. The world building and magic and caste systems, the characters relationships, it's all so good. I'm also a huge fan of Margaret Owen's other writing - this is definitely darker than Little Thieves but has the same eat marks of her writing style. Go in blind and follow the weird journey!!!
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
For me, this is a perfect horror book. I read this in a single 24 Hour period - 336 pages!! A record! - as I just could not put it down. Whenever I had to, it followed me. It's hilarious, terrifying, full of dread and horror and genuine laugh out loud, hysterical bits. I long for horror novels that genuinely instill fear in me, and this one nails it. NAILS IT. perfect. 10 out of 10. Utterly horrible and wonderful. Creepy, original, and not to be missed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Grief
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Wow, wow... I'm a weeping mess. I could read this over and over and over. What a treasure of a book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore, War, Grief, Death, and Blood
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was such a fun, sweet read. The characters are loveable, and the mystery is a fun one to work out alongside the lead. If you saw the movie, definitely read the book. It fleshes out the characters a lot more, and the film kept the vibe of the book in tact. It definitely made me feel relieved to not be a closeted queer kid in a rural high school again, and you'll want to wrap all of the lovable misfits into a big hug. I'd recommend for anyone teen or adult that has come out, had a family member come out, or anyone who wants a closer inside look at this painful and life changing process of becoming who you truly are, without shame.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Minor: Homophobia
The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was beyond my expectations. I picked it up for a kind of horror-lite bath-tub read to read in a day. This is not that! La Sala's writing is truly beautiful and transports you to the narrators world from the first bizarre and violent opening scene. Mars, the lead, is openly gender fluid and yet doesn't fit the cliche of meek and bullied "wuss." They stand up for themselves, are athletic and adventurous, and they have a bit of a sassy mouth. I loved Mars and was with them on every step of these creeping mystery. Some parts of it had me SHOOK and near gagging. Some real WTF moments. The true horror doesn't begin until closer to the end, but the mystery is enough to keep this page-turner moving!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gore, Transphobia, and Death
The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I wish this had been a duology! De Bodard starts building a world that yearns to be fully fleshed out. While some of the pacing is a bit confusing, the intrigue and the story are very unique. The character of Rice Fish, a sentient ship, (and truly the entire idea around and execution of this idea) is superb. She's lovable and charming, complex and flawed. The second lead was a bit flat to me, but the overall uniqueness of the world and characters makes up for its small flaws. The Vietnamese inspirations are beautifully worked in. There are strong female leads you really root for and a world I wanted to learn much more about.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
A page turning, lush, quirky blend of Hunger Games like combat trials, Mexican mythology and folklore, and queer self love. The characters, even the antagonists, are complex and loveable. There are multiple, nuanced queer identities and relationships without any shock-value homophobia (so refreshing!). My one kind of gripe is that the tone is a bit confused at times. There is the ever hanging threat of a sacrifice, but the characters tend to be very cavalier with each other. The two sides of this world don't blend quite seamlessly, but if you get over this oddity, this is a great read. I can't wait for the sequel!!
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I have to start with the content warnings because they feature so heavily: school shooting and death, child sexual abuse, self hatred, homophobia and racism. If you can take these themes on, then this is a decent read. It's a true YA, borderline middle reader with mature themes. There are definitely some truly horror-esque moments, but you'll need some suspension of disbelief for the kind of fantasy elements. While these topics are difficult to read and stomach, they're still so important. I wouldn't recommend this to middle grade or teens without some real debriefing with a parent or teacher. As an adult, give it a go for some genuine moments of creepiness and story telling!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, Incest, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Death, Murder, Child death, and Child abuse
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, and Blood
Minor: Sexism and Pregnancy