los_books's reviews
115 reviews

Weyward by Emilia Hart
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.

I got about 30 pages in and wasn't really enjoying my experience. I made the mistake of not looking up trigger warnings before I started and so I did once I stopped. There were a few of them that I did not want read, especially in a book I was already not enjoying.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

dark emotional hopeful 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

5.0

This was not only my favorite book of the year so far, but also one of the best. From beginning to end, the details, history, and building blocks are so thought out that the conclusion feels well-deserved and well-rounded. This story was beautiful and real in many expected ways. It shows us the meaning of family and what we go through to protect the dreams of our loved ones. 

Garlic & the Witch by Bree Paulsen

inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

I loved being back with Garlic and the vegetable crew. It was so fun to learn about how they were created and what they grew into. I cannot wait to reread both this and Garlic & the Vampire every spooky season.

Garlic & the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

This was such a fun graphic novel. Garlic's anxieties were so relatable and felt like my own when I was little. I recommend this to everyone and would have loved to have this book when I was a child. 

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I had a really great time with this book. Davi is a really loveable character to follow because you want to root for her to complete her goals because she feels relatable in her journey. The cast of characters is fun and is my favorite part of this book, specifically Tsav and Mari. 
My biggest problem with this book is that Davi very much is a queer woman written by a man. This is true for especially for the first few chapters and definitely gets better as the book continues. If the plot points and writing weren't as strong as they were, I would have DNF'ed after reading the first chapter because of how much Wexler's own views of queer women came through (ie: queer women love to have sex and cannot be in monogamous relationships).

The other problem I have is the surprise Christianity that is thrown in at the very end of the book. I am questioning where that plot is going to go because of the problems I already have with the book and Wexler in general.

Cash by Jessica Peterson

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

If you love Lyla Sage, you need to read this book. It has all of the love and community that her book has. Cash and Mollie go through so much growth throughout this book which is truly so beautiful and allows for so many conversations to build their tension. The conversations around grief, regrets, and moving forward lend themselves to a beautiful journey of growth, love, and finding where your home is. I cannot wait for the rest of these books because this start was so strong.

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.75

This book is like genuinely perfect. I loved it so much. These characters were so real and I loved how their relationship was based on them truly building a partnership, not just attraction. The interactions they had with each other showed so much respect for each other. Their partnership was powerful and respectful of the other, but also of their relationships with friends and families. D'Vaughn and Kris had some of the most beautiful tension I have ever read. This book is not just a beautiful representation of a lesbian romance, but also of true allyship, queer friendship, and how to build partnership within a romantic relationship.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

This is definitely a soft DNF. I was enjoying what I had read, but just wanted something else for now. Will come back to.

In Charm's Way by Lana Harper

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Before you begin this book, please be aware that it is the fourth book in a series and that you really should read the other books before this one because they build on each other. I read this book about a year after the third one and did not really remember a lot about what happened which made me a little confused at times. 

Overall, this series hit its peak in books one and two. I had many problems with the nonbinary representation in the third book. I had very minimal expectations for this but wanted a fun witchy romance which the series typically delivered. I think the first half of the book was pretty strong and I was pretty excited for the development of the story and for Delilah. However, she doesn't develop until the last 20% of the story

and only develops because she ran out of choices, not because she wanted to be better.

I know many other readers weren't happy with how the romance ended, but I think it fits within the final theme of the story. I think this book was a weaker addition to the series, but it is not the weakest so there's that. 

Rules For Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

I had such a good time with Rules for Ghosting. Ezra is so relatable to me, especially in the way he loves his friends and family. This book covers many heavy topics including family dynamics, coming out, the effects of secrets, and so much more in ways that have levity, comfort, and the ability to feel like a real family's conversation. The queer and trans rep in this book is truly beautiful in how it shows real experience in building your community, a community that includes both chosen and blood family. While there is romantic and sexual love featured in this book, the true stand-out form of love in this book is the platonic love shown throughout the novel. Ezra's relationship with his friends and siblings strengthened throughout, but they are the relationships that will stick with me as I continue to reflect on this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a digital ARC of Rules for Ghosting. Check this book out now!