mellowbry's reviews
412 reviews

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.75

What an emotional ride, I can't believe it's over. I am enamored with the love story between Iris and Roman, they have truly set the standard for bookish couples. As much as I am ACHING to give this book 5 stars, some things didn't quite work for me. 

1. I wish Ross had provided a map of Oath.
   During Dacre's invasion of the city,
   I found it difficult to picture the distance between locations, like the museum and café. A visual of how far Iris, Attie, and her family needed to run would've made these scenes MUCH more stressful. 
2. Some part of me really wished
   the final battle with Darce, Iris, and Attie
   would've lasted a bit longer. For such a highly anticipated and built-up scene, it concludes quite quickly despite the formidable appearance Dacre was described to be. This isn't to say that the scene was boring or lackluster,
   in fact, I liked that Attie's violin skills were revived and utilized, Iris was the one to deliver the final bow, and the surprise appearance/ assistance from Enva.
   What I am trying to say is that the showdown was missing something and that something left me hollow and demanding more. (Some part of me wants to excuse the rushed fight scene by claiming
   Roman's near assassination by Graveyard solider
   fulfilled that hollowness; however, there's a great number of pages between these two scenes so I'm afraid I cannot let it slide so simply.)
3. Does anyone else feel like
   Roman's memory returning happened a little too soon?
   Because I assumed it would've been a major plot dilemma resulting in Iris and Roman facing one another in a gripping yet tragic battle until Roman finally remembers who he is with a kiss! The latter is perhaps a little fanfiction-y of me, but I am still conflicted about how quickly that plot dilemma was resolved...

The first book will always have a special place in my heart, and this book, while with its faults, concludes in such a beautiful way that I cannot help but feel the exact same. I anticipate the day when I can reunite with Iris and Roman as they eventually did. 

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.75

A very touching and important novel; I wished I had skimmed through the book before bringing it to work for leisure, although thankfully I was alone and thus did not have someone sneaking up behind me and seeing certain sections. (I am not saying Kobabe shouldn't have been so open with eir life in an illustrated format. In fact, I am grateful to have a body of work that is forward about broader gender and human sexuality identities as I have yet to discover in LGBTQ+ media. It's just that I should've been more careful with the content I bring to work.) Anyway, while I am ashamed of myself for not reading this book sooner, I am very happy to finally do so. And in these trying times, having a fuller context as to why a book like "Gender Queer" is essential to purchase/ maintain in educational spaces for YA and Adult people. 

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

3.5

It's unfair to compare this to the Studio Ghibli adaptation since it takes the story's muscles and bones and heightens its whimsy, romance, and anti-establishment undertones. Compared to the theatrical approach of the adaption, this book feels a lot more like a sitcom following the daily escapades of Howl, Sophie, Calcifer, Michael, and others. But a good sitcom is highly debatable....
Some aspects I will give Jones credit for are the dynamics between the characters. Howl is MUCH more selfish, childish, and overly dramatic than his film counterpart, while Sophie is more blunt, stubborn, and ambitious. This makes for great banter between the two (and character foil), but not exactly romantic banter; more so, close roommate banter, which was greatly disappointing since I love Howl's and Sophie's relationship in the movie. Also, there's no build-up to the romance. They have one heart-to-heart moment in the middle of the book, and then nothing until the end

when they hold hands, cementing their sudden feelings for one another.

There's also a convoluted love triangle? Love square? Idk I lost track at a certain point since I hate that troupe anyway. 
Two more things that I think the book does slightly better than the movie. Emphasize on slightly. 

1. Sophie
   can use magic. It's not much and it functions as manipulation/demands but it's a really cool trait that becomes crucial during many plot points and even challenges Sophie's internalized self-consciousness.
2. The Scarecrow
   being a byproduct of Wizard Suliman's abilities rather than some random prince randomly cursed into a scarecrow is plot-wise logically sensible.

Overall, I like the close family, magic, and beauty of the film better than the book. If Howl and Sophie were the main narrative focus of the next book in this series then I would've liked to see where they ended up next. But since they unfortunately aren't, at least there's an awesome movie with a stellar soundtrack to satisfy me instead. 

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

3.5

I cannot believe the day has come when I've considered a Tiffany D. Jackson book average. What a shame...
There is a lot to love about this book, like the love letter to early hip-hop, a large cast of compelling characters, and the typical Jackson mystery. But even these aspects were somewhat tinted.
Many of the hip-hop artists I listen to are contemporary. While I am familiar with most of the artists and even songs referenced in this book, I don't necessarily relate to the musical spiritually infused throughout this book.
This cast is special, but these characters don't quite stand out compared to Jackson's other creations. I think Jasmine has the strongest chapters compared to Quadir and Jarrell; however, considering her side of the story was focused on the mystery of her brother Steph's murder, whenever the story diverged from that (which was a lot), there was nothing much to her story. Yes, she did have the

Gorilla organization problem

but that wasn't crucial to the story until MUCH later.
And I think that's where this book falls the most flat for me: how long it takes for the mystery to commence. It wasn't as focused on as it should've been and instead, we got a romance between

Quadir and Jasmine

that lacked a lot of chemistry. Even the B-plot with Steph's music career trailed on such a slow incline that I itched for something to happen.
I do wanna give Jackson credit for Ronnie's character and what she signifies as a feminine, confident, sex-positive character. The scene where she calls out Jasmine for her underlying misogyny toward rappers like Lil Kim and Foxy Brown was a specular demonstration of feminism and how even women can sometimes lose sight of the spectrum of womanhood that can and should exist.
Like always Jackson delivers some empowering social messages such as the one above. Nonetheless, I'm afraid that this was the most intriguing part of the book, even more so than the central plot and mystery.  

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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

“It’s knees under the Jupiters table; it’s shaking hands on night one. For someone who hates touching, Charlie Winshaw is always leaning in and not leaning away. He smells like risotto and organic oatmeal body wash Dev see in the shower, and Dev doesn’t really want to lean away either.”

If I could give this book an even higher rating, I absolutely would because I AM IN LOVE!! Dev's and Charlie's love story is a worthwhile and satisfying slow burn that will make you laugh, cry, swear, and scream at the top of your lungs over the brilliant depictions of mental health and the interpersonal struggles with developing romantic feelings on a nationally recognized reality TV show between its star and producer. The sincere and satirical acknowledgments to The Bachelor franchise were marvelous for someone like me who, while avoiding those shows, knows from its massive reputation how old-fashioned, exploitative, and manipulative it can be for the viewers and the contestants. Even the supporting cast, Skylar, Jules, Ryan, and Parisa, were fantastic additions with minds, bodies, and souls of their own. For example, Ryan

is NOT the stereotypical heartless ex-boyfriend. We eventually learn that not only did Ryan warn Dev at the beginning of their relationship that he never wanted to get married, but Dev also continuously ignored Ryan's suggestions of therapy.

These characters are imperfect, but it’s because of these imperfections and their desires to better themselves and each other that make them fully realized people who you can’t help but love wholeheartedly! 

And I am wholeheartedly love with all of these characters

(except for that homophobic bitch Maureen).

Truth be told, I am secretly a hopeless romantic like Dev and Charlie, and similarly, I was losing that hope because I’ve been convincing myself that I am unworthy of love. But Cochrun, with her funny and powerful prose, made me believe again. Furthermore that I am deserving of love just as much as Dev and Charlie are. 

And that ladies and gentlemen and those in between is how you write a ROMANCE NOVEL!

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.75

This is the most fundamental memoir I've read since "I'm Glad My Mom Died." However, this one hits spiritually as a queer person of color. While I do not, could not relate to Johnson's specific experiences, traumas, and revelations, I found the most solace in his reflections on his past. The sociocultural ripples inflicted or shown to him and how one learns to heal from them. In one chapter particularly, Johnson shares an experience that was albeit very difficult to read nonetheless delivered a precise and poignant message few mediums have addressed perfectly let alone confronted. So, while I must deduct points for not being warned of specifically

(incest molestation),

I think this book is absolutely essential for young queer kids to read and learn from because Johnson is one of the POC queer figures we need now more than ever. 

P.S. I love the part in his introduction when he subtly calls out teachers who teach books like "All Boys Aren't Blue" but don't censor themselves whenever words that don't belong to their race or sexual orientation appear in the text. Classic

The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

challenging dark informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Now this is a prime example of what I fear whenever I'm bold enough to pick up a nonfiction novel. I think the reason I had trouble following this book compared to "The New Jim Crow" was because that book solely focused on U.S. history and its government/ communities while this book encompassed so many other countries/ governments/ communities because of the amount of manipulation, cruelty, and ignorance inflicted onto Palestine and the other countries severely affected by Israel's forced settlement. Nevertheless, I think this book is essential in understanding what's currently happening in Palestine and how the United States and the United Kingdom have permitted such horrendous atrocities to occur for far too long. The tragic anecdotes from the author himself were also a reflective touch to this already brutal and depressing history and reality.
Even if you've sworn off nonfiction forever, at least give this one the chance it deserves. 
From the river to the sea. 

The New Girl by Cassandra Calin

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was such an adorable coming-of-age story! The art style and attention to detail in each panel were a delightful relief compared to the last graphic novel I read; major props to the author for providing each character with their own vibrant and creative style. I also loved how often menstruation is focused upon. Lia doesn't simply get it one day, suffer through it, accept it, and move on, no! It's a continuous, unpredictable problem she's constantly having to overcome one way or another. It's such an accurate girlhood experience. Lastly, a small reveal at the end of the book genuinely made me gasp. Bravo!! 

Covenant, Vol. 1 by LySandra Vuong, explodikid

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I loveeee whenever religious trauma is molded into an action horror story, and this one is no expectation. Did I absolutely love it? Unfortunately no as I wasn't a fan of the sometimes telling rather than showing of certain character actions (ex: characters falling asleep or having a panic attack), the somewhat muted and boring scenic backgrounds for certain scenes, the comedy mostly falling short, and a lack of artistic liveliness or depth in the characters' designs especially compared to the cover of the book which promoted me to read this comic in the first place. 
Most of these critiques is partially biased since I'm generally not a huge fan of how Webtoons present its comics online. I think translating this book into an American or even Japanese style would've improved a lot of its lackluster aspects and made it into something more than just an comic printed directly from the website.  
Nevertheless, the mystery of why Sunny is being targeted by Demons as well as the promise of a slow burn between him and Ezra is intriguing enough to continue the series. So fingers crossed the story will at least deliver.   

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

I wish I had read this before watching the documentary "13th" but nonetheless this book was just as eye-opening, captivating, and insane as the film in delivering historical contexts and comparisons to contemporary political manipulation and subsequent horrifying results that plague every structure of our society to this day. I'm usually wary of nonfiction for fear of massive amounts of scholarly information going over my head, making me feel stupid for even attempting to better understand a subject in the first place; however, I am happy to report that Alexander never makes her readers feel this way. The information is understandable for all types of readers, and never once did I feel as if I was reading this book for a (nonexistent) class rather than out of interest. 
For anyone wanting to dip their toes into nonfiction, or simply looking to expand their understanding of current social problems, I highly, highly encourage giving this book (and the documentary for post-Obama data) a try.