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lori_larsson's reviews
198 reviews
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is VERY dark in subject matter and full of body horror. It's YA maybe only in word density and sentence structure, if that makes any sense--I'd really have to know the young adult before I would say they were reay for this. But there is a good author's letter in the beginning explaining what the reader is about to get into. I finished this book in 2 days because I could barely put it down, but I was shaking my head the whole time. It was a wild ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't really know what to say about this book. It was entertaining. I was eager to finish it and learn what happens. But some of the writing was just not that great there was this huge big fantasy world and ball point pens were magic? A whole other set of history and lore and someone in the last chapter gives the middle finger--it came out of no where and just felt like an anachronism. A war school that doesn't care of 50% of each class dies and, in fact, sets them up to do just that, but then complains about the fact that their numbers are dwindling? Why does this school exist? What parent would truly send their child to it? I don't know. Whatever, I'm downloading the second book as we speak so I don't have much room to talk, I guess.
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is a cozy fantasy about a baking competiton. A lot of these style books have popped up after the success of Legends and Lattes and the quality of them is. . .variable. The writing in this one is mid. The plot is fun and the style is truly cozy. But--the main character, Arleta, is so anxious and has so little confidence in herself for so little reason that her hemming and hawing almost gets annoying. All the characters are just there to further her story, even the love interest doesn't get too much of a personality of his own. All in all it was still pretty cute and since I read this kind of a book as a break from heavy stuff, I probably will read the second book in the series eventually. Comparable titles like Legends and Lattes, Cursed Cocktails, and You Can't Spell Treason without Tea hit better for me.
Making It So by Patrick Stewart
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
4.0
I'm a trekkie, especially TNG, and definitely a Patrick Stewart fan. I'm not sure I would have sat down and read this book, but it was great to listen to while I was doing other things. It is probably unsurprising that my favorite part of this book was the inside look at Star Trek: TNG, which didn't happen until the last quarter or so. He reveals a couple of personal things about his life that were disappointing to me, but seem to be pretty par for the course for men in Hollywood. It's not on the reread list, but I gave it four stars for all the good tea.
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty
challenging
dark
sad
slow-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
3.0
The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
- 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
I stopped and restarted this book twice. I switched to audiobook and that was the ticket for me. I loved it on audio! Maybe it was not having to wonder if I was saying everyone's names and the months and days correctly in my brain that finally let me let go an just enjoy the ride of this book. The tension of Ren's lie really holds throughout this book without getting frustrating or ridiculous. I did not figure out who the Rook was until the reveal because the possibilities in Ren's view were so plausible. And I LOVE that the readers know and Ren doesn't going in to the 2nd book. I just really enjoyed this one.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
emotional
funny
inspiring
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop by Jenny Colgan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
This is the 3rd Christmas story I've read from Jenny Colgan. In the main, they are sweet, progressive, loving stories, cozy and perfect to read at this time of year. But even in The Christmas Bookshop, and Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop, there were weird instances of out-of-place digs on fat people. There wasn't enough to make me stop reading. But this one. I had to stop. I know the world thinks being fat is the worst thing you can be. I disagree. I was interested in the characters in this story, but I won't be finding out what happened to them because I can't get past the fatphobic comments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
I enjoyed this. I have to say I would have much preferred more about Tandri and Viv than a prequel. Even so, it was lovely.