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shaybrawner's reviews
126 reviews
Sleet Kitten by S.J. Tilly
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book is for you if... You want an easy to read romance!
Is this the best book I've ever read? No, did I read it in one sitting in 4 hours? Yes, Did I love it? Absolutely.
I really don't have a lot to say except I really enjoyed this! The characters were like-able and easy to read kinda mindlessly. The plot was quick but made enough sense for me to not have any complaints. I found myself laughing at parts and finding other parts ridiculously cute.
I haven't been in a reading mood all year and this might(emphasis on might) have gotten me back in the mood for reading.
Stars: 4/5 Stars
Just a fun book!
Is this the best book I've ever read? No, did I read it in one sitting in 4 hours? Yes, Did I love it? Absolutely.
I really don't have a lot to say except I really enjoyed this! The characters were like-able and easy to read kinda mindlessly. The plot was quick but made enough sense for me to not have any complaints. I found myself laughing at parts and finding other parts ridiculously cute.
I haven't been in a reading mood all year and this might(emphasis on might) have gotten me back in the mood for reading.
Stars: 4/5 Stars
Just a fun book!
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
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? N/A
5.0
"“It's not natural for women to fight."
"It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.”"
"It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.”"
This book is for you if... You like fantasy and just a wonderful book.
To start this off, an apology to my best friends who have told me for years to read this and I said I wasn't interested because it wasn't my type of book... I was wrong, I'm sorry. I fell in love with this cast of characters, and the whole world created in Six of Crows.
I couldn't put it down, once I had picked it up I was hooked. The story from the first page was so intriguing, and I was constantly wishing I could read faster than I could so I could get through it faster and know what was going on. The pacing was outstanding, there was never a moment where it felt like the book was dragging on.
I have a new favorite character of all time in Nina, she is everything I love in a character, with her attitude and just everything. I love her relationship with Matthias, their banter was just perfect. I also just love women so yeah. Wylan and Jesper are also some new favorites, but I just think this whole cast of characters are new favorites, I love them all so much.
Overall because I need to wrap this up or I'll go forever, I loved this so much, from maybe 10% into the book I knew this was gonna be 5 stars unless something really went wrong. I can't wait to read more and more from the Grishaverse.
I couldn't put it down, once I had picked it up I was hooked. The story from the first page was so intriguing, and I was constantly wishing I could read faster than I could so I could get through it faster and know what was going on. The pacing was outstanding, there was never a moment where it felt like the book was dragging on.
I have a new favorite character of all time in Nina, she is everything I love in a character, with her attitude and just everything. I love her relationship with Matthias, their banter was just perfect. I also just love women so yeah. Wylan and Jesper are also some new favorites, but I just think this whole cast of characters are new favorites, I love them all so much.
Overall because I need to wrap this up or I'll go forever, I loved this so much, from maybe 10% into the book I knew this was gonna be 5 stars unless something really went wrong. I can't wait to read more and more from the Grishaverse.
Stars: 5/5 Stars
A new favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Trafficking, Addiction, and Slavery
Epically Earnest by Molly Horan
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I received an Arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was really surprised by how much i liked Epically Earnest! I've been in such a bad reading slump lately that nothing seems to make me want to read, but I devoured this in a single sitting!
I loved how quirky it was, and that made it rather fun to read for me. But also I love a good LGBT Rom-Com, that is mostly lighthearted. With only a few moments of less lightheartedness when the MC deals with the effects of harassment and the abandonment of the her when she was a baby.
I'm not gonna deny that the whole book I felt like I was waiting for something bad or sad to happen and it didn't, though that isn't a bad thing. This book didn't need it and I think that might be why I liked it so much.
Keeping this review pretty short I really liked this and would definitely be interested in reading more by Molly Horan.
I was really surprised by how much i liked Epically Earnest! I've been in such a bad reading slump lately that nothing seems to make me want to read, but I devoured this in a single sitting!
I loved how quirky it was, and that made it rather fun to read for me. But also I love a good LGBT Rom-Com, that is mostly lighthearted. With only a few moments of less lightheartedness when the MC deals with the effects of harassment and the abandonment of the her when she was a baby.
I'm not gonna deny that the whole book I felt like I was waiting for something bad or sad to happen and it didn't, though that isn't a bad thing. This book didn't need it and I think that might be why I liked it so much.
Keeping this review pretty short I really liked this and would definitely be interested in reading more by Molly Horan.
Home Body by Rupi Kaur
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
"i am not interested in a feminism
that excludes trans women"
This book is for you if... you're looking a a feminist poetry book covering sexual assault, depression, and anxiety.
I have a very interesting relationship with Rupi Kaur's poetry if I'm completely honest. There are moments where I feel like I'm just reading words on a page and I don't feel anything, but then there's moments where it's almost like someone is inside my own head and saying what I feel like I could be screaming and no one would hear. I love some and find other boring, it's complicated...
Her writing style is almost too simple, but at the same time I think it's easily understandable. It's a good place for someone who might just be getting into poetry or someone who is wanting something that will make them not feel alone.
I think with Home Body, I read it at the right time for me as I've been feeling disconnected from myself. There's one in particular that really had me feeling that there was someone who understood eerything i've been feel since the start of this year.
"depression is silent
you never hear it coming
and suddenly it’s
the loudest voice in your head"
Overall I feel this was a read of good timing for me, It's one I think people won't resonate with if they aren't at the place to read it yet, but even feeling that there were parts that I felt nothing about. So I guess give it a try if you want to read it.
Stars: 3/5 Stars
"look for the women in the room
who have less space than you
listen
hear them and act on what they’re saying
- amplify indigenous. trans. black. brown. women of color voices."
that excludes trans women"
This book is for you if... you're looking a a feminist poetry book covering sexual assault, depression, and anxiety.
I have a very interesting relationship with Rupi Kaur's poetry if I'm completely honest. There are moments where I feel like I'm just reading words on a page and I don't feel anything, but then there's moments where it's almost like someone is inside my own head and saying what I feel like I could be screaming and no one would hear. I love some and find other boring, it's complicated...
Her writing style is almost too simple, but at the same time I think it's easily understandable. It's a good place for someone who might just be getting into poetry or someone who is wanting something that will make them not feel alone.
I think with Home Body, I read it at the right time for me as I've been feeling disconnected from myself. There's one in particular that really had me feeling that there was someone who understood eerything i've been feel since the start of this year.
"depression is silent
you never hear it coming
and suddenly it’s
the loudest voice in your head"
Overall I feel this was a read of good timing for me, It's one I think people won't resonate with if they aren't at the place to read it yet, but even feeling that there were parts that I felt nothing about. So I guess give it a try if you want to read it.
Stars: 3/5 Stars
"look for the women in the room
who have less space than you
listen
hear them and act on what they’re saying
- amplify indigenous. trans. black. brown. women of color voices."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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? No
4.25
"That was my Handshake of Doom." The name had come to me on the spot, and I was pretty proud. It was inspired.
"Handshake of--excuse me?""
This book is for you if... you're looking for a really good middle grade that is based in Chinese Mythology.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed reading Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend, it was charmingly funny but also had it's emotional moments that ultimately pulled the book together. I found myself with a smile on my face a majority of the time while reading, it just felt warm and easy to fall into.
Katie Zhao's writing was amazing, reading it was smooth and light but also just fun. I'm a sucker for an author who can make me laugh so effortlessly and that was majorly accomplished with Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend. I'm really interested in reading more by Katie Zhao, and probably will soon.
Overall this was super fun to read, and it probably pulled me out of my reading slump(at least I hope it did). I'm obviously not in the age category this book is targeted towards but I think anyone could find this enjoyable to read if they just give it the chance. I highly suggest that people give this one a read.
Stars: 4/5 Stars
One of my favorite middle grades!
"Handshake of--excuse me?""
This book is for you if... you're looking for a really good middle grade that is based in Chinese Mythology.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed reading Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend, it was charmingly funny but also had it's emotional moments that ultimately pulled the book together. I found myself with a smile on my face a majority of the time while reading, it just felt warm and easy to fall into.
Katie Zhao's writing was amazing, reading it was smooth and light but also just fun. I'm a sucker for an author who can make me laugh so effortlessly and that was majorly accomplished with Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend. I'm really interested in reading more by Katie Zhao, and probably will soon.
Overall this was super fun to read, and it probably pulled me out of my reading slump(at least I hope it did). I'm obviously not in the age category this book is targeted towards but I think anyone could find this enjoyable to read if they just give it the chance. I highly suggest that people give this one a read.
Stars: 4/5 Stars
One of my favorite middle grades!
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"When we did this before... I thought it was a dream. This time I know it's real. And I don't care."
This book is for you if... you're looking for something cute and gay.
I loved this so much, I could probably talk about how cute this was for hours but I won't since I'd probably just be repeating myself over and over again.
Molly Knox Ostertag did a phenomenal job with this, the story was like a breath of fresh air. Yet it also felt warm and cozy perfect for a rainy day. I won't talk much about the plot because going in blind is what I did and it was amazing. I loved being surprised by little things.
The art style might be one of my favorites, it was just so cute and matched the story so well.
This is my first 5 star read of the year, and it's a good 5 stars. It really deserves the 5 stars in my opinion but I've been in the mood for something cute and warm.
CAWPILE Rating: 9.00/10
Stars: 5/5 Stars
So cute and gay!!
This book is for you if... you're looking for something cute and gay.
I loved this so much, I could probably talk about how cute this was for hours but I won't since I'd probably just be repeating myself over and over again.
Molly Knox Ostertag did a phenomenal job with this, the story was like a breath of fresh air. Yet it also felt warm and cozy perfect for a rainy day. I won't talk much about the plot because going in blind is what I did and it was amazing. I loved being surprised by little things.
The art style might be one of my favorites, it was just so cute and matched the story so well.
This is my first 5 star read of the year, and it's a good 5 stars. It really deserves the 5 stars in my opinion but I've been in the mood for something cute and warm.
CAWPILE Rating: 9.00/10
Stars: 5/5 Stars
So cute and gay!!
It Will End Like This by Kyra Leigh
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"Dark thoughts fill my head."
This book is for you if... you like your thrillers to be inspired by real events
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was really surprised by It Will End Like This, I wasn't expecting how eerie and tense the entire book was till the last 10 percent. I found myself glued to the book because there really wasn't any good places to stop and that didn't bother me at all.
I can't think of anything bad to say honestly, the only reason this isn't a 5 star read is that it just didn't give me the vibe that it was a 5 star book. I enjoyed it, but I didn't fall in love with it.
I am definitely interested in reading future books from Kyra Leigh based on this one alone, I enjoyed the writing style and how easy it flowed together.
This is a rather short review because I can't think of much else to say other than it was good and I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good thriller.
CAWPILE Rating: 7.57/10
Stars: 4/5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this!
This book is for you if... you like your thrillers to be inspired by real events
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was really surprised by It Will End Like This, I wasn't expecting how eerie and tense the entire book was till the last 10 percent. I found myself glued to the book because there really wasn't any good places to stop and that didn't bother me at all.
I can't think of anything bad to say honestly, the only reason this isn't a 5 star read is that it just didn't give me the vibe that it was a 5 star book. I enjoyed it, but I didn't fall in love with it.
I am definitely interested in reading future books from Kyra Leigh based on this one alone, I enjoyed the writing style and how easy it flowed together.
This is a rather short review because I can't think of much else to say other than it was good and I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good thriller.
CAWPILE Rating: 7.57/10
Stars: 4/5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this!
The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"With that final memory, I let go of the regret I’d been carrying. And finally learned how to forgive myself."
This book is for you if... You want WLW vampires!
The Lost Girls was really cute and easy to read. It fit the October vibe perfectly for what I was needing after being put into a book hangover. This is probably gonna be a super short review because I don't have much to say.
This didn't really have any slow moments and that was nice but at the same time there really wasn't anywhere to breath while reading this. There were moments that could've been expanded on, especially the bank scenes and the big ending, those in particular felt somewhat rushed to me.
Character wise, I really liked Holly, she was relatable and just made for a really nice main character. Elton was the only character I wish we had gotten more on, We were essentially told to hate him and for valid reasons but I wish we were shown more in the beginning before we meet Parker that Elton is awful.
Overall I think this a good book, is it the best most groundbreaking book ever written no. But it's easy to read, it's fun and it has a cute romance in it.
CAWPILE Rating: 6.86/10
Stars: 3/5 Stars
I think this was really cute.
This book is for you if... You want WLW vampires!
The Lost Girls was really cute and easy to read. It fit the October vibe perfectly for what I was needing after being put into a book hangover. This is probably gonna be a super short review because I don't have much to say.
This didn't really have any slow moments and that was nice but at the same time there really wasn't anywhere to breath while reading this. There were moments that could've been expanded on, especially the bank scenes and the big ending, those in particular felt somewhat rushed to me.
Character wise, I really liked Holly, she was relatable and just made for a really nice main character. Elton was the only character I wish we had gotten more on, We were essentially told to hate him and for valid reasons but I wish we were shown more in the beginning before we meet Parker that Elton is awful.
Overall I think this a good book, is it the best most groundbreaking book ever written no. But it's easy to read, it's fun and it has a cute romance in it.
CAWPILE Rating: 6.86/10
Stars: 3/5 Stars
I think this was really cute.
Paper Girls, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"We're teenagers."
This book is for you if... you want a graphic novel thats really easy to read.
I don't have much to say so this will be a short review, Paper Girls was okay, not the best graphic novel ever written but not the worst. I enjoyed it but not enough to give it more than 3 stars.
The art style is gorgeous, like maybe some of my favorite art ever. There's some slurs used in this that really didn't need to be used so that was kinda annoying. and Lastly the plot was cool, and I think that maybe in the next volume it'll be more enjoyable for me.
CAWPILE Rating: 6.71/10
Stars: 3/5 Stars
it was okay, i'll read the next one but who knows after that.
This book is for you if... you want a graphic novel thats really easy to read.
I don't have much to say so this will be a short review, Paper Girls was okay, not the best graphic novel ever written but not the worst. I enjoyed it but not enough to give it more than 3 stars.
The art style is gorgeous, like maybe some of my favorite art ever. There's some slurs used in this that really didn't need to be used so that was kinda annoying. and Lastly the plot was cool, and I think that maybe in the next volume it'll be more enjoyable for me.
CAWPILE Rating: 6.71/10
Stars: 3/5 Stars
it was okay, i'll read the next one but who knows after that.