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camiandkitread's reviews
336 reviews
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
“Bonesmith” has a brilliant magic system and a spooky fantasy setting, but holy info-dumping, Batman!
Most fantasy books you do have to push through the first 100 pages or so and this is no exception. Once you get past it though, there’s constant info-dumping from characters talking to each other. Props to Nicki Pau Preto for not having her main characters constantly ask and receive the info though.
If you put your head down and muscle through the info-dumping, “Bonesmith” is the start of a very interesting duology. It features some of the classic fantasy tropes and has some good twists. Info-dumping aside, it’s also well written and pretty evenly paced.
Most fantasy books you do have to push through the first 100 pages or so and this is no exception. Once you get past it though, there’s constant info-dumping from characters talking to each other. Props to Nicki Pau Preto for not having her main characters constantly ask and receive the info though.
If you put your head down and muscle through the info-dumping, “Bonesmith” is the start of a very interesting duology. It features some of the classic fantasy tropes and has some good twists. Info-dumping aside, it’s also well written and pretty evenly paced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Aurora's End by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.25
Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Solid debut novel from Maiya Ibrahim that features an Arabian-inspired world.
If you liked Hafsah Faizal’s “We Hunt the Flame” but wished there was more action, “Spice Road” is for you!
If you liked Hafsah Faizal’s “We Hunt the Flame” but wished there was more action, “Spice Road” is for you!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar, Noelle Salazar
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
"The Lies We Leave Behind" is very well researched, it was clear that Noelle Salazar had done a lot of research both on World War II and on the 1940s in general. Salazar hit all the right beats and used the facts and lingo correctly, but the characters felt extremely flat the whole time and distracted me from the rest of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and War
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Reread of “Eclipse” was brutal. I’m definitely not a teen anymore because I didn’t find any of the Edward and Bella scenes romantic. This is a horror novel.
Anyway, Team Jacob.
Anyway, Team Jacob.
Josefina's Story Collection by Susan McAliley, Valerie Tripp
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-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
5.0
I haven’t read the Josefina books in probably 20 years so I was thrilled to revisit them after finally finding an affordable copy of the “Josefina Story Collection.”
Over the years, I’d forgotten how much of the books center on dealing with the loss of a family member. Rereading the stories now, a few months after losing a family member myself, was an unexpected comfort.
The stories are well written and do a good job of working in Spanish vocabulary and historical events but keep the emphasis on Josefina’s personal experiences. There’s nothing like the old historical American Girl books.
Over the years, I’d forgotten how much of the books center on dealing with the loss of a family member. Rereading the stories now, a few months after losing a family member myself, was an unexpected comfort.
The stories are well written and do a good job of working in Spanish vocabulary and historical events but keep the emphasis on Josefina’s personal experiences. There’s nothing like the old historical American Girl books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I feel like I’ve already read a hundred versions of this book and this one didn’t grab my attention or stand out.
The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
“Shady Hollow” wasn’t quite what I expected but was still a very cute mystery story.