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silversomber's reviews
25 reviews
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fog & Fireflies by T. H. Lehnen
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Fog & Fireflies crafts a unique world and premise I have not seen before in a work of fantasy, and kept me very much engaged as I sought to understand this new landscape. We follow Ogma, a child who is part of a world in which a Fog shifts the land around them and their town. A Fog that whispers and plays tricks, but poses an even great threats to the adults of the world, leaving the children to work as the defenders of the town.
I really enjoyed this read, and the world building. It was truly something new and imaginative. I want to visit and learn more about this world and the cast of characters, and I very much hope there may be a sequel in the works.
I really enjoyed this read, and the world building. It was truly something new and imaginative. I want to visit and learn more about this world and the cast of characters, and I very much hope there may be a sequel in the works.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
A beautiful and fantastical story about love and life.
Linus- an employee of the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth (DICOMY), is tasked with a high clearance level investigation. He travels far from the city and to the mysterious island in the midst of a beautiful cerulean sea, for a month long stay at a most classified orphanage for Magical Youth.
Linus finds his perceptions of the world challenged and changed in his time there, and for once he may have to stray from the Rules & Regulations and allow himself to become close to the children of this house.
A touching queer romance, which an achingly slow burn, but a delightful finish.
Linus- an employee of the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth (DICOMY), is tasked with a high clearance level investigation. He travels far from the city and to the mysterious island in the midst of a beautiful cerulean sea, for a month long stay at a most classified orphanage for Magical Youth.
Linus finds his perceptions of the world challenged and changed in his time there, and for once he may have to stray from the Rules & Regulations and allow himself to become close to the children of this house.
A touching queer romance, which an achingly slow burn, but a delightful finish.
DallerGut Dream Department Store by Mi-Ye Lee 이미예
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is whimsical at its finest.
Following our protagonist as she applies for a job as the Dallergut Dream Department Store, we are introduced to the space in which our dreams are crafted. We see the people from the waking world who visit this space, and learn the lore behind why we might chose such dreams.
An imaginative tale, the ending had me crying tears of bittersweet grief, and it left me with a warm feeling in my heart.
Following our protagonist as she applies for a job as the Dallergut Dream Department Store, we are introduced to the space in which our dreams are crafted. We see the people from the waking world who visit this space, and learn the lore behind why we might chose such dreams.
An imaginative tale, the ending had me crying tears of bittersweet grief, and it left me with a warm feeling in my heart.
Wonderful Me: A First Guide to Taking Care of Yourself by Nancy Shapiro
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This book tackles a wide number factors involved in self care, and explains them thoroughly and in language children can understand. These are skills many adults still need to work on, and learning to look inward at a younger age will help set children up for success.
The illustrations showcase a variety of different children from all sorts of backgrounds, and the text generally does a good job of being inclusive of persons with different abilities and circumstances. (I would say the only area in which it is possibly lacking is that certain suggestions may not account for children/families with any sort of finical hardship, though that would be difficult to include in an already packed booked. Suggestions such as being sure to eat breakfast, or to see a therapist are things not every family can afford, and are beyond a child's ability to influence/change. Apart from that though I believe they did an amazing job of being inclusive.)
They speak of self care as it applies to physical and mental health, as well as in our interactions with friends, family, and the world around us. As an introvert- I particularly appreciated the bit about alone time being important as well, a point I feel is often not showcased to children.
It is quite long for the intended age group. I am not certain it would hold every childs' interest for the full read, so that should be kept in mind. If reading aloud I would recommend splitting it up.
The illustrations showcase a variety of different children from all sorts of backgrounds, and the text generally does a good job of being inclusive of persons with different abilities and circumstances. (I would say the only area in which it is possibly lacking is that certain suggestions may not account for children/families with any sort of finical hardship, though that would be difficult to include in an already packed booked. Suggestions such as being sure to eat breakfast, or to see a therapist are things not every family can afford, and are beyond a child's ability to influence/change. Apart from that though I believe they did an amazing job of being inclusive.)
They speak of self care as it applies to physical and mental health, as well as in our interactions with friends, family, and the world around us. As an introvert- I particularly appreciated the bit about alone time being important as well, a point I feel is often not showcased to children.
It is quite long for the intended age group. I am not certain it would hold every childs' interest for the full read, so that should be kept in mind. If reading aloud I would recommend splitting it up.
Anxious by Luciana De Luca
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
An absolutely beautiful story about a very tough subject.
Even adults have trouble properly articulating the feelings that come along with anxiety, and as a child it can be beyond difficult to express the grip it has on you. This book is an excellent resource for both children and their caregivers, giving children the language they need to explain they are feeling, and know they are not alone.
The book includes advice and additional resources for both parties at the back of the book, an invaluable tool that would make it a wonderful addition to any household or childcare facility/school room.
The art is beautiful and illustrative, capturing the feelings that words can't describe, but also the relief that a trusted adult can bring. It is written in a way that can be easily digestible by children and adults, and that accurately describes the various symptoms and sensations anxiety can bring.
Could not recommend more highly. A must have.
Even adults have trouble properly articulating the feelings that come along with anxiety, and as a child it can be beyond difficult to express the grip it has on you. This book is an excellent resource for both children and their caregivers, giving children the language they need to explain they are feeling, and know they are not alone.
The book includes advice and additional resources for both parties at the back of the book, an invaluable tool that would make it a wonderful addition to any household or childcare facility/school room.
The art is beautiful and illustrative, capturing the feelings that words can't describe, but also the relief that a trusted adult can bring. It is written in a way that can be easily digestible by children and adults, and that accurately describes the various symptoms and sensations anxiety can bring.
Could not recommend more highly. A must have.
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A satirical delight, this 'Deadpool-meets-Fantasy' take on Groundhog Day or Happy Death Day won't be for everyone, but it is a fun read.
Stuck in a time loop- Davi opts to stop trying to be the hero of the story and instead sets out to become the Dark Lord herself. She might die trying, but that's never stopped her before.
Davi is aware of her role, and the fourth wall is blown wide open as she speaks to the reader throughout, with plenty of real world references slipped in along the way.
The book is the first on a series, and the fact snuck up on me as I neared the end, much like watching a television show you realize will become a two=parter when the clock is ticking down and there's no way everything will be resolved in time.
The book makes use of a lot of footnotes-which are fun- though I personally wish they were located at the bottom of each page rather than all collected at the end of each chapter, just for reading ease.
The style might not work for everyone, but I think it's a fun read and worth a shot if you are interested!
Stuck in a time loop- Davi opts to stop trying to be the hero of the story and instead sets out to become the Dark Lord herself. She might die trying, but that's never stopped her before.
Davi is aware of her role, and the fourth wall is blown wide open as she speaks to the reader throughout, with plenty of real world references slipped in along the way.
The book is the first on a series, and the fact snuck up on me as I neared the end, much like watching a television show you realize will become a two=parter when the clock is ticking down and there's no way everything will be resolved in time.
The book makes use of a lot of footnotes-which are fun- though I personally wish they were located at the bottom of each page rather than all collected at the end of each chapter, just for reading ease.
The style might not work for everyone, but I think it's a fun read and worth a shot if you are interested!
Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It was bitter sweet to read the last in the series, and to see Anne's youngest daughter only a little older than she herself was in the very first book.
The real life timing of my reading had brought a much heavier weight to the war than I might have felt at a different time of reading. I was much more able to identify with the feeling of a war happening far beyond our borders, the hopelessness and lack of control.
Rilla has some of the same charming day to day drama of previous books, but there is a much darker and much more serious tone. There is loss- but there is also hope. And hope has always proven strongest in the world of Montgomery. Publishing this on the heels of the war, you can see that she has poured much of herself into the novel.
While it is maybe not the end I would have hoped for- for Anne, I have every faith that her and her family would make the most of the happiness they could find in the years to follow. Anne and Gilbert raised brave, strong, and outspoken children, with the best qualities of both their parents.
The real life timing of my reading had brought a much heavier weight to the war than I might have felt at a different time of reading. I was much more able to identify with the feeling of a war happening far beyond our borders, the hopelessness and lack of control.
Rilla has some of the same charming day to day drama of previous books, but there is a much darker and much more serious tone. There is loss- but there is also hope. And hope has always proven strongest in the world of Montgomery. Publishing this on the heels of the war, you can see that she has poured much of herself into the novel.
While it is maybe not the end I would have hoped for- for Anne, I have every faith that her and her family would make the most of the happiness they could find in the years to follow. Anne and Gilbert raised brave, strong, and outspoken children, with the best qualities of both their parents.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
Neighborhood Watch by Sarah Reida
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. It was my first foray into the murder mystery genre. There was something so fun about feeling my spite resolved as certain characters perished. The story and it's characters were very engaging. I did guess the murderer fairly early on, though there were times I thought I may have been wrong. It all seemed to wrap up a bit suddenly for me, but that is the only negative point I really have for it, and would highly recommend it.
CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS by Rebecca Rosenberg
challenging
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and War