katejuniper's reviews
8 reviews

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

adventurous funny 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Blood, and Medical content

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

dark emotional sad slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Moderate: Car accident

Minor: Cancer

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was sold this book as Alice in Wonderland meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was much more interested in the latter than the former and this book definitely delivered. The balance between the superhero life and home/teen life was spot on and made sure the book was both tense and fun at the same time. Further to this, the inclusion of Brionne’s story was well interwoven and it grounded the magical elements of the story. 

Now I might actually have to read the original Alice in Wonderland...but only after I finish this series in case of character spoilers! 

A must read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, and Vomit

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Plot is so so but the characters and writing make it worth it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Infidelity

Minor: Infertility, Suicide, and Terminal illness

魔道祖师 Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia

Plays into some harmful m/m tropes.

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful relaxing sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is driven largely by its two main characters rather than plot but the author pulled it off wonderfully. There are no real surprises to find, just a calm insightful read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book embodies the saying that it’s not about the destination, but the journey.  Don’t expect a big climax, just relax and enjoy the ride. If you do, you’ll be sucked in by rich world building and carefully thought out alien species. A beautiful, complete, calming book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Racism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Ableism

The Heart of the Ritz by Luke Devenish

hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A surprisingly  light-hearted, mostly hopeful book which is based enough on truth to provide an educational foundation of the occupation of France in WWll. At the very least, it will likely inspire you to read more about it afterwards. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Police brutality, and Antisemitism

Moderate: Drug abuse, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Ableism, Rape, and Transphobia

The content is based off true events (The German occupation of France in WWll)