stardustandrockets's reviews
363 reviews

And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense 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

5.0

I absolutely enjoyed this book! I'm not the target audience, but Charlie was likeable and often his anxiety gave me anxiety. Knowing that he wanted to keep his head down and make it through the semester unnoticed was admirable, but I knew right from the start that wasn't going to happen.

Seeing Charlie make friends despite his best efforts was heartwarming. I was really rooting for him to realize that he was worthy of friends and didn't need to be so invisible like he thought his mom wanted. And said group of friends? I LOVE them! Blaze, the 12 year-old self-proclaimed destroyer (of worlds), was dramatic in only the way a 12 y/o can.

Finding out Jasper orchestrated them to be roommates? Did NOT see that coming. And the bookshelf? Talk about grand gesture. I love them so much!!

The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Charlie and Jasper was *chef's kiss*! One of my all-time favorite tropes! And being stuck together in a room at boarding school? Even better.

If you don't have this one on your radar, you won't want to miss it! The shenanigans are perfect and it would be a fantastic addition to any lover of love's bookshelf.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia

I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Death of parent

Minor: Gun violence

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Body shaming and Sexual harassment

Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce

5.0

Second time was even better!!

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

3.5

I like the overall story, but the "sexy talk" really took me out. 😖 I don't typically like sex scenes to begin with, but Luke's dirty talk??? Gross.

I liked the ADHD rep with Emmy and her sensory issues. And her journey with recovering from being thrown off a horse. But the sexual content completely takes me out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender

5.0

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Violence

Junker Seven by Olive J. Kelley

When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao

I was told by a follower on instagram that this book is similar to Don't Let the Forest In by CG Drews without the horror and they were right. It also reminds me a lot of the movie Last Christmas. It's a wonderful story about how grief manifests and everyone deals with it differently.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, and Grief

Moderate: Child death, Car accident, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0