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tc_booksandmore's reviews
1206 reviews
Medalist 2 by TSURUMAIKADA つるまいかだ
emotional
informative
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? Yes
5.0
The continued experience of Medalist leads me to go, I want more.
I love all of the details about skating and competitions, but also making friends in the sport for Inori, which is so important, and the beautiful character growth that her mom goes through is perfection.
Getting more of Tsukasa's back story helps in falling more in love with his enthusiasm, as well as understanding his support for Inori even with the pressures of the belief that she's too old.
Can't recommend this series enough.
I love all of the details about skating and competitions, but also making friends in the sport for Inori, which is so important, and the beautiful character growth that her mom goes through is perfection.
Getting more of Tsukasa's back story helps in falling more in love with his enthusiasm, as well as understanding his support for Inori even with the pressures of the belief that she's too old.
Can't recommend this series enough.
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was the first book in my pursuit of reading a book per year that I've been alive. I apparently added this one on my want to read list way back in 2021. I was also recommended it. This book is very much a product of it's time. It reminds me a lot of other books written around the same time. The language and type of storytelling is more like an epic fantasy. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it as much as others seemed to.
I appreciate portions of the story, but I think I prefer more modern writing styles now, also I prefer a more diverse non-colonial style of writing.
This wasn't for me, but obviously it is a popular story. So it works for others.
I appreciate portions of the story, but I think I prefer more modern writing styles now, also I prefer a more diverse non-colonial style of writing.
This wasn't for me, but obviously it is a popular story. So it works for others.
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for my review copies. My opinions are my own.
I both read this and listened to it on audio. The intended audience is high school, the book is marketed as Heartstopper and Derry Girls, but that really doesn't do this story justice. It reminded me of the 90/00's cheesy after school specials full with the over the top drama high school acting out. The title is extremely accurate, Patch is a DRAMA king, and he's determined to get a boyfriend by the closest equivalent to Prom that you can get in small town England. He's out and proud about it, but there is a dearth of available boys to date, but 2 new boys join the drama club and now Patch's imagination jumps to life.
Patch is decidedly not perfect, and often gets his exercise by jumping to conclusions, and inserting his foot in his mouth and chewing vigorously.
The narration is done by the author which really heightens the over the top drama.
Patch does do some impressive character growth over the course of the book which helps balance the second-hand embarrassment that I got in the first chunk of the book. I had to switch listening and reading with my eyes on several occasions.
Recommend for those that like British humour, over the top acting, and don't mind all the reminders of how cringe we were in high school.
I both read this and listened to it on audio. The intended audience is high school, the book is marketed as Heartstopper and Derry Girls, but that really doesn't do this story justice. It reminded me of the 90/00's cheesy after school specials full with the over the top drama high school acting out. The title is extremely accurate, Patch is a DRAMA king, and he's determined to get a boyfriend by the closest equivalent to Prom that you can get in small town England. He's out and proud about it, but there is a dearth of available boys to date, but 2 new boys join the drama club and now Patch's imagination jumps to life.
Patch is decidedly not perfect, and often gets his exercise by jumping to conclusions, and inserting his foot in his mouth and chewing vigorously.
The narration is done by the author which really heightens the over the top drama.
Patch does do some impressive character growth over the course of the book which helps balance the second-hand embarrassment that I got in the first chunk of the book. I had to switch listening and reading with my eyes on several occasions.
Recommend for those that like British humour, over the top acting, and don't mind all the reminders of how cringe we were in high school.
Medalist 1 by TSURUMAIKADA つるまいかだ
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I need to thank my partner for finding this one. They convinced me to watch the first 2 episodes of the anime, and afterwards I turned to them and said I know you ordered the first 3 volumes, I need to read them now.
I felt the same way watching and reading this as I did when I watched Ice Princess, I wanted so badly to get out on the ice and learn how to skate. I grew up watching ice skating and ice dancing, but never had the dedication to actually do something about it. I admire Inori's drive to want to skate and Tsukasa's renewed dedication to the sport when he meets Inori, who is "too old" to learn to skate.
This is a beautiful story about the competitiveness of the ice skating world, but also about what it means to have drive and desire to learn, no matter if society thinks you are too old.
Highly recommend this series.
I felt the same way watching and reading this as I did when I watched Ice Princess, I wanted so badly to get out on the ice and learn how to skate. I grew up watching ice skating and ice dancing, but never had the dedication to actually do something about it. I admire Inori's drive to want to skate and Tsukasa's renewed dedication to the sport when he meets Inori, who is "too old" to learn to skate.
This is a beautiful story about the competitiveness of the ice skating world, but also about what it means to have drive and desire to learn, no matter if society thinks you are too old.
Highly recommend this series.
Head Cases by John McMahon
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.25
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my review copy. My opinions are my own.
I started listening as I was doing my Saturday morning shopping, and I was hooked from the first chapter and binge listened to it over the rest of the day. I am so happy that this is going to be a series, because Gardner is the analyst that my pattern happy brain wanted. I am not eidetic, but my brain picks up on patterns and puts things together so seeing someone else whose brain works similar makes me thrilled.
I was on the metaphorical edge of my seat while listening, the narration by Will Damron was amazing, I loved how well he did Gardner's voice (both spoken and internal commentary) working with the puzzles and solving the mysteries of who was killing the serial killers and the more important question of WHY. I didn't see all of the twists coming, so I was pleasantly surprised and loved the parallels from the beginning to the end.
Super excited to read what comes next.
I started listening as I was doing my Saturday morning shopping, and I was hooked from the first chapter and binge listened to it over the rest of the day. I am so happy that this is going to be a series, because Gardner is the analyst that my pattern happy brain wanted. I am not eidetic, but my brain picks up on patterns and puts things together so seeing someone else whose brain works similar makes me thrilled.
I was on the metaphorical edge of my seat while listening, the narration by Will Damron was amazing, I loved how well he did Gardner's voice (both spoken and internal commentary) working with the puzzles and solving the mysteries of who was killing the serial killers and the more important question of WHY. I didn't see all of the twists coming, so I was pleasantly surprised and loved the parallels from the beginning to the end.
Super excited to read what comes next.
The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I tried starting this once and had to stop due to life and then came back to it, restarted because I retained nothing and binged it in an evening while doing chores. But in my mind, I was with Maddileh with the annoying squire on the mission to retrieve the Fireborne Blade from the dragon and rescue the fair maiden.
The time jumps that occur were unexpected and also the side stories were a little interesting especially once I figured out what the twists and all those nagging little questions in the back of my head went OHH so THAT'S what is going on, hmm, I like! I have really been on a binge of shorter stories and have been enjoying reading them as breaks for the longer epic stories that I have been slowly going through piece by piece.
Recommend, and I am going to listen to the next one in the series soon.
The time jumps that occur were unexpected and also the side stories were a little interesting especially once I figured out what the twists and all those nagging little questions in the back of my head went OHH so THAT'S what is going on, hmm, I like! I have really been on a binge of shorter stories and have been enjoying reading them as breaks for the longer epic stories that I have been slowly going through piece by piece.
Recommend, and I am going to listen to the next one in the series soon.
The Broposal by Sonora Reyes
emotional
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
4.0
Thank you to Forever for my review copy. My opinions are my own.
The timing of reading this book was rough given some of the background issues, specifically with Han's illegal status. The stuff that Kenny goes through to get to the point where he can step in and offer to marry Han is rough. I could see what the villain of this story was going to do, but reading Kenny's and Han's reactions to the twists sometimes surprised me.
I appreciated the family support that the boys had and would love a side story of Tatiana and Leti.
Recommend for a queer love story, a coming out story, and a happy ending story with the current political climate.
The timing of reading this book was rough given some of the background issues, specifically with Han's illegal status. The stuff that Kenny goes through to get to the point where he can step in and offer to marry Han is rough. I could see what the villain of this story was going to do, but reading Kenny's and Han's reactions to the twists sometimes surprised me.
I appreciated the family support that the boys had and would love a side story of Tatiana and Leti.
Recommend for a queer love story, a coming out story, and a happy ending story with the current political climate.
She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my review copy. My opinion is my own.
I had so much fun with this story. It was silly, but harkened back to my days where I read more mysteries than anything else, but the romance was a delicious addition. I felt so sorry for Kate that she needs her fictional character Loretta to handle the difficult things because when she relies on herself, things do not go according to plan, and is spectacular in getting messed up. Which is how she ends up attending her ex's wedding weekend on a remote island with the one that got away.
Can recommend especially if you want a lighter murder mystery, with a second chance romance.
I had so much fun with this story. It was silly, but harkened back to my days where I read more mysteries than anything else, but the romance was a delicious addition. I felt so sorry for Kate that she needs her fictional character Loretta to handle the difficult things because when she relies on herself, things do not go according to plan, and is spectacular in getting messed up. Which is how she ends up attending her ex's wedding weekend on a remote island with the one that got away.
Can recommend especially if you want a lighter murder mystery, with a second chance romance.
She Doesn't Have A Clue by Jenny Elder Moke
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Macmillian Audio for my review copy. My opinion is my own.
I had so much fun listening to this story. It was silly, but harkened back to my days where I read more mysteries than anything else, but the romance was a delicious addition. I felt so sorry for Kate that she needs her fictional character Loretta to handle the difficult things because when she relies on herself, things do not go according to plan, and is spectacular in getting messed up. Which is how she ends up attending her ex's wedding weekend on a remote island with the one that got away.
The narration by Sarah Mollo-Christensen is damn near perfect, my only issue was the sections where Loretta's stories pop up were occasionally jarring.
Can recommend especially if you want a lighter murder mystery, with a second chance romance.
I had so much fun listening to this story. It was silly, but harkened back to my days where I read more mysteries than anything else, but the romance was a delicious addition. I felt so sorry for Kate that she needs her fictional character Loretta to handle the difficult things because when she relies on herself, things do not go according to plan, and is spectacular in getting messed up. Which is how she ends up attending her ex's wedding weekend on a remote island with the one that got away.
The narration by Sarah Mollo-Christensen is damn near perfect, my only issue was the sections where Loretta's stories pop up were occasionally jarring.
Can recommend especially if you want a lighter murder mystery, with a second chance romance.
Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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
4.75
I picked this up on a whim from the library because I like Beth Revis on social media and because this is a short novella. I laughed so much reading it and even days later still think about some of the quips and slight of hand moments that occurred.
I was reminded of Firefly tv show with the layered story, the heist, the interesting cast of characters. Ada is hilarious and Rian has me giggling over his delay in putting all the clues together.
Highly recommend this story.
I was reminded of Firefly tv show with the layered story, the heist, the interesting cast of characters. Ada is hilarious and Rian has me giggling over his delay in putting all the clues together.
Highly recommend this story.