Scan barcode
sapphistoire's reviews
209 reviews
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
5.0
This just made me absolutely sob like a baby! I can't recommend this graphic novel enough!
Throwaway Girls by Andrea Contos
4.0
As this is a thriller, I’m going to try and keep this review as vague as possible! Instead of trying to describe scenes, I’m going to first talk about things that I liked, and then about things that didn’t quite make it a five star read for me!
First of all, I loved the atmosphere in this book! Caroline attends a private school and it was so easy for me to picture the sprawling grounds and expensive campus in my mind whilst reading it, even though it’s an American private school and, admittedly, I’ve only seen a couple of Scottish private schools in the flesh! We also spend some time at a dingy bar and I think the atmosphere of a rundown, dodgy, roadside bar was captured perfectly! Without spoiling anything in the book, this was a common theme throughout and I think, especially for a debut novel, Andrea Contos did an amazing job with the realistic and gritty world building!
The second thing I loved, although I can’t really say much about it, was the plot! I read this book in two days and the first night I stayed up so late trying to read one more chapter before my eyelids got too heavy to continue, I was that invested in the story. I absolutely flew through the second half of the book the next day and, even though I always like to guess the big twist or reveal at the end, I never once got close to it in this one, and boy was I shocked!
I also really loved the characters, particularly the side characters. I loved Aubrey, who is so passionate and talented and an amazing actress. She was timid and always wanted the best for people, but when push came to shove, she was often Caroline’s best asset, so to speak. I also really enjoyed Jake’s complex character, with a difficult family background and yet a very privileged upbringing, he was, surprisingly, a character I cared a lot about.
However, saying that, I did have a couple of problems with the characters, which is one of two reasons this book is not a five star read for me. First of all, Caroline is a very privileged private school student. Yes, she does acknowledge privilege throughout, and yes she has been through some very, very tough times but she just didn’t feel believable. She felt like every other YA thriller main female character. There’s a scene in the book where Caroline and Jake are at a party thrown by some teenagers that go to another, not private, school. Somehow they manage to blend in, even though, if you’ve been to a house party with a private school student there, you know exactly how much they stick out like a sore thumb. Caroline also had this kind of grittiness about her which I feel didn’t really go all that well with her upbringing.
The other reason it wasn’t a five star was because some of the plot didn’t feel that well developed for me. Whilst reading it, particularly in the first half of the book, I felt that there were some loose threads with some of the evidence that Caroline found, and some of the places she visited. Particularly, when she met up with the headteacher’s wife – nothing really seemed to come of it. Also, with regards to the reveal at the end, there wasn’t really a motive as to why the person who did it, did it. It just felt like, oh here’s who did these bad things, let’s wrap it up nicely!
Regardless, this was one of the most gripping and interesting YA thrillers that I’ve read and I would definitely recommend that you pick it up if it at all sounds interesting to you! It’s a great debut and I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for Andrea Contos’ other books in the future!
First of all, I loved the atmosphere in this book! Caroline attends a private school and it was so easy for me to picture the sprawling grounds and expensive campus in my mind whilst reading it, even though it’s an American private school and, admittedly, I’ve only seen a couple of Scottish private schools in the flesh! We also spend some time at a dingy bar and I think the atmosphere of a rundown, dodgy, roadside bar was captured perfectly! Without spoiling anything in the book, this was a common theme throughout and I think, especially for a debut novel, Andrea Contos did an amazing job with the realistic and gritty world building!
The second thing I loved, although I can’t really say much about it, was the plot! I read this book in two days and the first night I stayed up so late trying to read one more chapter before my eyelids got too heavy to continue, I was that invested in the story. I absolutely flew through the second half of the book the next day and, even though I always like to guess the big twist or reveal at the end, I never once got close to it in this one, and boy was I shocked!
I also really loved the characters, particularly the side characters. I loved Aubrey, who is so passionate and talented and an amazing actress. She was timid and always wanted the best for people, but when push came to shove, she was often Caroline’s best asset, so to speak. I also really enjoyed Jake’s complex character, with a difficult family background and yet a very privileged upbringing, he was, surprisingly, a character I cared a lot about.
However, saying that, I did have a couple of problems with the characters, which is one of two reasons this book is not a five star read for me. First of all, Caroline is a very privileged private school student. Yes, she does acknowledge privilege throughout, and yes she has been through some very, very tough times but she just didn’t feel believable. She felt like every other YA thriller main female character. There’s a scene in the book where Caroline and Jake are at a party thrown by some teenagers that go to another, not private, school. Somehow they manage to blend in, even though, if you’ve been to a house party with a private school student there, you know exactly how much they stick out like a sore thumb. Caroline also had this kind of grittiness about her which I feel didn’t really go all that well with her upbringing.
The other reason it wasn’t a five star was because some of the plot didn’t feel that well developed for me. Whilst reading it, particularly in the first half of the book, I felt that there were some loose threads with some of the evidence that Caroline found, and some of the places she visited. Particularly, when she met up with the headteacher’s wife – nothing really seemed to come of it. Also, with regards to the reveal at the end, there wasn’t really a motive as to why the person who did it, did it. It just felt like, oh here’s who did these bad things, let’s wrap it up nicely!
Regardless, this was one of the most gripping and interesting YA thrillers that I’ve read and I would definitely recommend that you pick it up if it at all sounds interesting to you! It’s a great debut and I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for Andrea Contos’ other books in the future!
Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller
5.0
I originally pre-ordered this book right at the start of the year after finding out that it is a sapphic prince and the pauper retelling with a French inspired fantasy world (also just look at that cover!), because, honestly, who doesn’t want that in a book? But after trying to read it earlier in the year and not getting through the first few pages (thanks fantasy reading slump) I put it down. I have to say, I’m so glad I pulled it out of my TBR jar this month because it absolutely blew me away and I can honestly say that it’s one of the best stand alone fantasy novels I’ve ever read!
I loved both our main characters, Annette and Emilie, equally and never once wished I was reading from the other’s perspective. Emilie starts off as a young noble woman who is being forced into going to finishing school to learn the midnight arts by her mother, who has never really understood her, when all she really wants to do is learn how to wield the noonday arts and become a physician. However, young women are not allowed to become physicians, as it is seen as a man’s job. So, Emilie trades places with Annette, who wishes to go to the finishing school but does not have the money to do so, while Emilie goes to the University to study to become a hack. Emilie was so stubborn and cocky and I loved her snarkiness! Her competition with Charles to become a better healer than the other was so fun to read! Annette is one of the strongest female characters I think I’ve ever read. She deals with so much throughout the novel (I don’t want to give away any spoilers) and yet is always thinking of others. They are honestly two of my favourite characters I have ever read from. I also loved the ‘side’ characters and all the friendships and relationships throughout and the found families were, of course, absolutely *chef’s kiss*!
The atmosphere and world-building was absolutely phenomenal! There are two different types of magic – the midnight arts (divining, scrying) and the noonday arts (healing, fighting) – which are seen as opposites. Women are often steered towards the midnight arts and men towards the noonday arts. The way these different magic systems work was so original and so interesting, particularly the use of hacks, so that those wielding the noonday arts can do so in a much stronger manner. The two schools for the two different kinds of magic – Mlle Gardinier’s School (midnight) and The University (noonday) – were both so interesting and they both had the same atmosphere as their respective magics would suggest. Elsewhere, we also see the war camps in Segance and also, briefly, Bosquet, which were both so bustling and busy.
As for the plot, I was always on the edge of my seat. This book is so much darker than I expected it to be. Although the start of the book was a tad info-dumpy the rest of the book seemed to fly by. The resistance, headed by Laurel, played a large part and the discussions on gender and power were done so well. There were a few deaths that caught me by surprise and absolutely destroyed me, and the last 100 pages or so were so fast paced I ended up reading until the earlier hours of the morning because I couldn’t go to sleep without finishing (and that ending! I NEED a sequel!)!
I’m going to briefly touch on the rep – Annette is a biromantic ace girl who talks about being in relationships with both boys and girls and discusses being ace several times throughout the book. She also enters into a sapphic relationship in the book! Charles is a trans man and the discussion on gender also includes being trans in this world. There are other characters throughout who are part of the LGBT community, including a lesbian couple (whom I LOVED) and there are several characters of colour as well.
I tried to keep this review as calm and composed as possible when really I want to rave about this book non stop! All I can say is read this book now! It really is just So Good!!
I loved both our main characters, Annette and Emilie, equally and never once wished I was reading from the other’s perspective. Emilie starts off as a young noble woman who is being forced into going to finishing school to learn the midnight arts by her mother, who has never really understood her, when all she really wants to do is learn how to wield the noonday arts and become a physician. However, young women are not allowed to become physicians, as it is seen as a man’s job. So, Emilie trades places with Annette, who wishes to go to the finishing school but does not have the money to do so, while Emilie goes to the University to study to become a hack. Emilie was so stubborn and cocky and I loved her snarkiness! Her competition with Charles to become a better healer than the other was so fun to read! Annette is one of the strongest female characters I think I’ve ever read. She deals with so much throughout the novel (I don’t want to give away any spoilers) and yet is always thinking of others. They are honestly two of my favourite characters I have ever read from. I also loved the ‘side’ characters and all the friendships and relationships throughout and the found families were, of course, absolutely *chef’s kiss*!
The atmosphere and world-building was absolutely phenomenal! There are two different types of magic – the midnight arts (divining, scrying) and the noonday arts (healing, fighting) – which are seen as opposites. Women are often steered towards the midnight arts and men towards the noonday arts. The way these different magic systems work was so original and so interesting, particularly the use of hacks, so that those wielding the noonday arts can do so in a much stronger manner. The two schools for the two different kinds of magic – Mlle Gardinier’s School (midnight) and The University (noonday) – were both so interesting and they both had the same atmosphere as their respective magics would suggest. Elsewhere, we also see the war camps in Segance and also, briefly, Bosquet, which were both so bustling and busy.
As for the plot, I was always on the edge of my seat. This book is so much darker than I expected it to be. Although the start of the book was a tad info-dumpy the rest of the book seemed to fly by. The resistance, headed by Laurel, played a large part and the discussions on gender and power were done so well. There were a few deaths that caught me by surprise and absolutely destroyed me, and the last 100 pages or so were so fast paced I ended up reading until the earlier hours of the morning because I couldn’t go to sleep without finishing (and that ending! I NEED a sequel!)!
I’m going to briefly touch on the rep – Annette is a biromantic ace girl who talks about being in relationships with both boys and girls and discusses being ace several times throughout the book. She also enters into a sapphic relationship in the book! Charles is a trans man and the discussion on gender also includes being trans in this world. There are other characters throughout who are part of the LGBT community, including a lesbian couple (whom I LOVED) and there are several characters of colour as well.
I tried to keep this review as calm and composed as possible when really I want to rave about this book non stop! All I can say is read this book now! It really is just So Good!!
Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran
4.0
I absolutely LOVED this!!! My most anticipated book of the year didn't let me down! It had me on the edge of my seat and audibly gasping at some of the plot twists! I can't wait to read everything Helen Corcoran writes in the future!
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
The writing in this is absolutely gorgeous, however nothing seemed to be happening or explained and I was confused as to what was happening for the majority of the time reading this.
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
4.0
I love love LOVE f/f historical romances! There was so much of this that resonated with me and I underlined so many parts. However, at times it felt like it dragged on too much and the writing style felt a bit too wordy. Saying that I now can't wait to read Sarah Water's other novels! (Also I have to add, the f*sting scene really caught me by surprise!)
Hopeless Romantic by Georgia Beers
3.0
I was so excited to pick up another Georgia Beers novel after reading Flavor of the Month a couple of months back. This one particularly interested me because of the whole divorce lawyer who loves rom-coms and wedding planner who doesn't believe in happily ever afters dynamic. First and foremost, I did really enjoy the wedding planning aspects. It's an area I know absolutely nothing about (except from watching countless episodes of Don't Tell the Bride) and it was really interesting to get a little peek into that world. On the same note, I wish we'd seen a little more of Leah's work life (although I understand that divorce law is very complicated and not the lightest subject to write about). Another thing I really enjoyed about this was the family and friendship dynamics. Leah's family were so sweet and supportive of each other and it's something I really love to read in lesbian romance books, as so many of us sadly don't get to see that in real life. One of Teddi's friends is also genderqueer which I was also really excited to see, as I have sadly not read of many genderqueer characters in literature. Finally, I also loved that this followed a couple that are slightly older than the normal couples I read about in romance novels (they're not that old - in their late 30s and mid 40s) so it was really refreshing!
However, I did have a couple of issues. Much the same as with Flavor of the Month, I found this to be almost painfully slow at times. I for one love character driven novels, and I don't mind if there isn't much of a plot line if the characters are great. However, I think because this does take place over a year and was quite repetitive, what with the heavy focus on the wedding planning, it did seem to drag a little bit. I also have started to get a wee bit bored of romance authors writing in a conflict about three quarters of the way into a book, especially when, in the case of this book, it could have been overcome if the characters just talked to each other!
Regardless, I did really enjoy my time reading this and I will definitely keep an eye out for Georgia Beer's other books in the future! I would also definitely recommend this to those who loved The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth!
However, I did have a couple of issues. Much the same as with Flavor of the Month, I found this to be almost painfully slow at times. I for one love character driven novels, and I don't mind if there isn't much of a plot line if the characters are great. However, I think because this does take place over a year and was quite repetitive, what with the heavy focus on the wedding planning, it did seem to drag a little bit. I also have started to get a wee bit bored of romance authors writing in a conflict about three quarters of the way into a book, especially when, in the case of this book, it could have been overcome if the characters just talked to each other!
Regardless, I did really enjoy my time reading this and I will definitely keep an eye out for Georgia Beer's other books in the future! I would also definitely recommend this to those who loved The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth!
All Men Want to Know by Nina Bouraoui
4.0
This book is utterly beautiful and haunting - in fact it's everything I wanted Rubyfruit Jungle to be. This book at its core is about growing up as a woman, in particular as a gay woman and a French-Algerian woman, and the isolation and fear that comes with it. At times it is hard to read, particularly the scenes where the authors mother return home from being abused, the constant sexual harassment of the female characters and one of the main character's friends committing suicide. However, there is still hope, and there are so many quotes that really hit home with me, including: "This place exists in a time zone of its own, inside and outside of time. We're a realm apart. We always will be. Lesbians.". This book deals with so many topics that really struck a chord with me, such as a girl's relationship with her mother and the loneliness of being a lesbian, and also how the two are linked.
My main problem with the book was the structure - it felt very disjointed and jumped forwards and backwards in time, and between countries, within one paragraph. The writing style didn't feel very natural to me either, I'm not sure if that's due to the original French text or the translation, however, I'm very interested in reading the French version and seeing how it compares.
Overall, I really adored this book and highly recommend it for anyone looking to get into autobiographical literature.
My main problem with the book was the structure - it felt very disjointed and jumped forwards and backwards in time, and between countries, within one paragraph. The writing style didn't feel very natural to me either, I'm not sure if that's due to the original French text or the translation, however, I'm very interested in reading the French version and seeing how it compares.
Overall, I really adored this book and highly recommend it for anyone looking to get into autobiographical literature.
The Secret of You and Me by Melissa Lenhardt
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Over the past year I've been reading more and more romance books, which for a fantasy lover is really unlike me, and I can definitely say this is one of the best I've read! The characters were so real and so gritty and I was so invested in them and all their relationships. I absolutely loved Sophie and her self-discovery, both coming to terms as being a lesbian and dealing with her alcoholism. Nora was so completely herself throughout the whole novel and I loved how confident she was (and that fact that she's a translator made me so excited!!). I also really loved the atmosphere of this book - Melissa Lenhardt has captured small town vibes perfectly!! Of course, my favourite part of this was the romance - I loved the yearning and the desire between Sophie and Nora, I wanted them so badly to be together! I can't recommend this book enough and I can't wait to purchase myself a copy!