westerdrumlins's reviews
429 reviews

Serpent & Dove, by Shelby Mahurin

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2.5

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman

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4.0

Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens, by Tanya Boteju

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really loved this on the whole but some aspects made me a bit uncomfy (mainly Nima being 17 and her love interests being "at least 21", and some comments made at the beginning of the book). I'd still highly recommend this, but would encourage people to keep these points in mind. I'm very intrigued to see what Tanya Boteju writes next, since I've loved both of her books so far!

Forbidden Lives: Lgbt Histories from Wales, by Norena Shopland

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

While it took me from the end of March to the end of Semptember to finally finish this, it was definitely an interesting read and involved lots of people I'd never heard of which I like to find in queer non-fiction. However, the lack of editing really took me out of the flow of each account, and most likely contributed to the reason it took me so long to read (though I do understand that independent publishers simply don't have the same resources, be it time or money, for the same level of editing as the biggest publishing houses). I'd still recommend this, especially as a starting point for further reading/research, but would keep my previous point in mind. I am, however, very intrigued to read Norena Shopland's new book.

Content warnings include:

Spoiler

Homophobia, transphobia, legal discrimination, outing, suicide (and suggested murder)

Content Warnings

The Mercies, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This took me a while to feel connected to the characters but once I was, I could appreciate the writing and plot a lot more. I thought the witch-hunting aspect was going to be more integral earlier in the book but I liked the subtle hints and signs that were planted throughout. Another one I read physically and listened to at the same time and it was a good experience.

Content warnings include:

Spoiler

Death, religious bigotry, misogyny, murder (including by burning at stake), rape within marriage, violence, racism and xenophobia, colonisation, miscarriage, homophobia, grief.

The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Maybe 3.5⭐

I'm still not really sure how to review this one - one one hand it took me so so so long to get into it, and I still didn't feel invested when I was a good chunk through, but on the other, I was thinking about the world and characters when I wasn't reading. I will say, I was expecting more dragon content. I think a reread will be needed to fully immerse myself in this world and appreciate all the little details which were lost somewhat due to me reading it over the course of a few months.

Content warnings include:
<spoiler > Miscarriage and infertility, violence, death, religious bigotry, incest, confinement.

One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley, by Carol Ann Lee

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Such an interesting exploration into the life of Myra Hindley, and the public response to her involvement in the Moors Murders. I especially appreciated the study of social attitudes of gender at the time, and would recommend the audiobook.

Content warnings include:

Spoiler

Torture and murder of children, pedophilia, sexual assault and rape of children, imprisonment and UK justice system

Content Warnings

Doctor Who: Death and the Queen, by James Goss

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced