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betweentheshelves's reviews
2684 reviews
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual content
Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways by Zeb Wells
adventurous
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? N/A
3.5
I mean, there are a lot of these Civil War stories featuring different groups of Marvel characters, and I would say most of them read pretty much the same. However, I did like the chemistry between the characters in this one, as it made the story a bit more interesting.
Not sure how much this will play into future Young Avengers stories, but Civil War overall is sure to have an impact. Onto the next thing!
Not sure how much this will play into future Young Avengers stories, but Civil War overall is sure to have an impact. Onto the next thing!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
A delightful little Christmas romance! "The Santa Clause" was one of my favorite movies growing up, and this takes that sort of premise and makes it unique. I also appreciated that this focused on Patrick and Quinn's already established relationship and how they could make it stronger moving forward. They both learn a lot about themselves and each other through the whole Santa experience, and it works well overall for the story.
Some of the magical elements weren't quite fully fleshed out, but I found I didn't mind because the focus was more on their relationship and their personal growth than the other aspects. I always enjoy Janovsky's work, and this definitely hit all of the right holiday notes.
Some of the magical elements weren't quite fully fleshed out, but I found I didn't mind because the focus was more on their relationship and their personal growth than the other aspects. I always enjoy Janovsky's work, and this definitely hit all of the right holiday notes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Young Avengers Ultimate Collection by Allan Heinberg
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
I've read a few Young Avengers stories, but I don't think I ever started from the beginning. And this was an overall great origin story! You get to see a lot of characters that have become important in later Marvel stories, and I'm hopeful that these will get translated to the big screen soon as many of them have already been introduced into the MCU. Plus, we love a good group of teenage superheroes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Addiction, Sexual assault, and Grief
Build a Girlfriend by Elba Luz
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Abandonment
Avengers West Coast Epic Collection, Vol. 5: Darker than Scarlet by Paul Ryan, John Byrne, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The only problem with trying to follow characters in the Marvel comic universe instead of following storylines is that sometimes, you're dropped into a larger storyline with no context. Which is what I had with this one, in trying to read where Wiccan was first introduced (even if the way he's included in this volume is a bit disturbing).
You do get to see Wanda's decent back into the villain of the story, which eventually leads to the House of M storyline. Which I have read most of! I am excited to move forward with the Young Avengeres, though. Some of which I've read, but I'm excited to read more!
You do get to see Wanda's decent back into the villain of the story, which eventually leads to the House of M storyline. Which I have read most of! I am excited to move forward with the Young Avengeres, though. Some of which I've read, but I'm excited to read more!
My Salty Mary by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Honestly, these books are always a good time. This is about Mary Read re-imagined as part of the Little Mermaid, and it's a fun sea adventure from beginning to end. Sometimes in multiple pov books there's one character that you aren't a fan of, but each pov was great in this one! Mary, Tobias, and Jack all add to the story, especially as the action ramps up at the end.
If you like re-imagined history with fantasy twists, you should definitely check out this series!
If you like re-imagined history with fantasy twists, you should definitely check out this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Let It Glow by Joanne Levy, Marissa Meyer
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
In making holiday booklists for work I have come to realize there are not a lot of holiday themed books for thie middle grade market. There are tons and tons of picture books, but you reach this age and it's pretty slim. Even the teen market has expanded in the last couple of years, so hopefully this age group comes next!
This is sort of like if The Parent Trap happened around the holidays, but instead of trying to get their paretns back together, they're just trying to learn more about each other. It's just a fun time, and both characters were equally fleshed out. A really enjoyable middle grade holiday story!
This is sort of like if The Parent Trap happened around the holidays, but instead of trying to get their paretns back together, they're just trying to learn more about each other. It's just a fun time, and both characters were equally fleshed out. A really enjoyable middle grade holiday story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
I don't know if I liked this more than the first one, but it did have a pretty good ending with some twists that make the last third of the book pretty exciting. However, I do think this book is a little longer than it needs to be. There's a lot of time spent on the wedding at the beginning that didn't necessarily seem to add a lot to the plot overall.
The "library" mentioned in the title isn't actually brought up as a plot point until probably half way through the book, and to me, I wanted more focus on that. The history aspects seemed to take a back seat in this one, and I wished they were more front and center.
All in all, it does fill a hole in the YA market as there aren't a ton of books set during this time period. If you like action, adventure, romance, and a touch of magic, this duology might definitely be for you!
The "library" mentioned in the title isn't actually brought up as a plot point until probably half way through the book, and to me, I wanted more focus on that. The history aspects seemed to take a back seat in this one, and I wished they were more front and center.
All in all, it does fill a hole in the YA market as there aren't a ton of books set during this time period. If you like action, adventure, romance, and a touch of magic, this duology might definitely be for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gore, and Gun violence
The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A powerful collection of poetry that I wish I would have listened to instead of reading the physical book. I imagine the spoken word poems are even more powerful that way, and that's just the way I generally prefer to read poetry collections.
This was a finalist for the National Book Award, which it is much deserving of that label. In addition to the fantastic poetry, there are a lot of resources included if you want to continue your learning journey. A book I highly recommend!
This was a finalist for the National Book Award, which it is much deserving of that label. In addition to the fantastic poetry, there are a lot of resources included if you want to continue your learning journey. A book I highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Pedophilia
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Sexual content