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tajosima's reviews
100 reviews
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
I’m not a fan of magical realism, but even I enjoyed this so I guess it says something about how good it is!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I love the balance between the will that Coco has to save her mother and how amazed she is by the magic world. She doesn’t forget her guilt, but she also can’t help express her enthusiasm when she sees/discovers magic. And this is a truly magic world! A reread that is still 5 stars!
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
My eyes rolled so many times while reading this, I was afraid they wouldn’t return to their positions. I mean, I’m glad the main character has powers, otherwise she would be dead in the first page. That’s probably because she was all hormones and no brain. Honestly, I think her sister was more intelligent than her. The sister should probably be in charge. They would probably be in a much better place. Speaking of intelligence, clearly that was rare in that world cause they would lie to each other, know the other person lied, but oh let me tell them a very important secret because I trust them..I read it till the end and it did not get better. And no, it’s not a me problem, I’m sorry. Why create a love triangle if the connection between the main character and the first love was so strong? It was such an unnecessary plot line . And I am only angry cause this had somethings that were cool. But then everything would be less important because one fae had silver eyes and the other had abs. I apologise for my English.I don’t want to be bothered with this book any longer to even reread my own review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(TW: mental health)
Sill my favourite book
There are some problematic scenes, fatphobia and racism and that is something that should not be overlooked.
The representation of depression, the involuntary nihilism and, at the same time, the feeling of wanting to experience everything and not being able to, the process of thinking what could be the best way to commit suicide and even that feeling of judging everyone internally but only because a person can’t find joy or meaning in anything.. those are things that when I first read this book (in the middle of my depression) made me understand so much about myself and not feel as crazy as I always felt.
And even nowadays, when my mental health is at its best, this book still gets me. It’s scary tbh that i still can relate to it. Just like the quote: “But I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure at all. How did I know that someday―at college, in Europe, somewhere, anywhere―the bell jar, with its stifling distortions, wouldn't descend again?”
Sill my favourite book
There are some problematic scenes, fatphobia and racism and that is something that should not be overlooked.
The representation of depression, the involuntary nihilism and, at the same time, the feeling of wanting to experience everything and not being able to, the process of thinking what could be the best way to commit suicide and even that feeling of judging everyone internally but only because a person can’t find joy or meaning in anything.. those are things that when I first read this book (in the middle of my depression) made me understand so much about myself and not feel as crazy as I always felt.
And even nowadays, when my mental health is at its best, this book still gets me. It’s scary tbh that i still can relate to it. Just like the quote: “But I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure at all. How did I know that someday―at college, in Europe, somewhere, anywhere―the bell jar, with its stifling distortions, wouldn't descend again?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racial slurs
The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Interesting from page the first to the last page. It took me a while to finished listening to it but it was only because I was in an audiobook reading slump.. because I every time I would go pick it up I would think “I’m still enjoying this book so much”. And that is why I still finished it despite of the slump. It’s a beautiful story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Courtney Crumrin's Monstrous Holiday by Ted Naifeh, James Lucas Jones, Jill Beaton
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Kay this was dark. And so so good. Made my heart broke for Courtney and her uncle. There are some beautiful sentences too. Definitely hard topics. I don’t think it is for middle grade tho
Fire with Fire by Destiny Soria
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
Very strong story and characters! The sisters had both very distinct personalities and their relationship was very organic. And the anxiety representation and how it was viewed by the end was very dear and near to my heart. I think it was really well done. Honestly this book deserves more hype!
The Switch by Beth O'Leary
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.0