Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bdingz's reviews
422 reviews
The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present by Ronald Hutton
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
This is a well-researched book, but at times it felt like I was getting so much information piled on me that I couldn’t absorb it. Overall a bit too academic and dry for me to fully enjoy. I’m still glad I read it, however.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
T Kingfisher, drop another Sworn Soldier novella and my life is yours.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Gun violence, War
Minor: Death, Murder
The “monster” in this book is one that “steals breath” so claustrophobic folks beware.
Mention of soldier’s heart aka PTSD.
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I tried not to get my hopes too high for this book in case it didn’t meet my expectations. I needn’t have worried. A sweet sapphic love story mixed with a bit of mystery and fantasy. It had just the right amount of tension to keep things interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Implied sexual assault, though it is not explicitly referred to as such as it is not dwelled on.
Witch in Darkness: Magick for Tough Times, Bad Days and Moments of Total Catastrophe by Kelly-Ann Maddox
dark
emotional
reflective
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Some modern witchcraft books are too strict in their rules, while others are trying so hard to be open and inclusive that they don’t offer enough guidance. Witch in Darkness strikes a balance, offering tools for witchcraft practitioners to lean on in hard times without coming across as a preachy or boring how-to. The text is straightforward and organized while Maddox’s voice and personality shines through.
The specificity of the topics makes this book more relatable than its predecessor, Rebel Witch. I will certainly purchase the book upon its release so that I can reference it in the future!
Some modern witchcraft books are too strict in their rules, while others are trying so hard to be open and inclusive that they don’t offer enough guidance. Witch in Darkness strikes a balance, offering tools for witchcraft practitioners to lean on in hard times without coming across as a preachy or boring how-to. The text is straightforward and organized while Maddox’s voice and personality shines through.
The specificity of the topics makes this book more relatable than its predecessor, Rebel Witch. I will certainly purchase the book upon its release so that I can reference it in the future!
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Death, Mental illness
Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
tense
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
3.5
This is overall the weakest story in the Saint of Steel series, but the latter quarter of the book almost makes up for it. I generally didn’t connect with the characters as much, except for Wren. Justice for Wren!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual harassment
Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
This book is so beautifully written. Nahr goes through so many horrific things, but this is as much a story of joy as it is a story of pain and resistance. The characters find solace in each other, as well as simple comforts like food and tea or skincare and nail polish. This could have only been bleak and sad, and it would’ve had every right to be…but it was so much more.
If you think you can stomach the CWs, read this ASAP.
If you think you can stomach the CWs, read this ASAP.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Genocide, Rape, Sexual violence, War
Moderate: Torture, Abortion
Minor: Cancer, Homophobia, Miscarriage
Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
emotional
inspiring
reflective
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Racism, Slavery
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
I love both science fiction and fantasy, but this might be the first time I've read a book that's an explicit mix of the two. Maybe once or twice throughout the story, I wasn't sure if totally Aoki pulled this combination off—for the most part, however, it worked.
At first, I worried about the number of characters...but I soon found they were all recognizable in their own motivations, emotions and personalities.
At first, I worried about the number of characters...but I soon found they were all recognizable in their own motivations, emotions and personalities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Racism, Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content, Murder, War
Bi+ Lines : An Anthology of Contemporary Bi+ Poetry by Helen Bowell
emotional
inspiring
reflective
5.0
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
My favourite of the series so far. I love Piper!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Violence
Minor: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, War