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brookeisbusyreading's reviews
340 reviews
Devoted by JT Howell
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Devoted is a SOLID 4 stars for me. Allow me to list all the reasons why:
- Matthias, Rain, and their allies were characters I quickly fell in love with.
- This is such a visual novel and I enjoyed imagining the world, especially the fight scenes!
- I love the use of tattoos and weapons!
- I’m here for the Kadri-Vilja relationship!
- Visceral and gritty yet tender and kind-hearted
I was obsessed with fantasy books when I was little. My favorites were the ones with big worlds, a medieval-style culture, and plenty of tense scenes. Devoted is that plus a gay romance about two macho manly men slowly succumbing to the inevitable curse of love.
Howell does a great job balancing the fantasy with the romance and the queer elements. But I do have 2 criticisms that prevent me from giving this book 5 stars: 1) the repetition of describing words (i.e. muscular, wiry, etc) that happened a little too much for my taste, and 2) the fluctuation of the writing.
Those are really the only issues I had with this book, and they aren’t deal breakers either. I really enjoyed this story! I’m excited to see it out in the world - an early congrats to Howell on the release. Looking forward to just maybe snagging myself a physical copy once it’s available!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Sexual content
Love Is an Illusion! Vol. 1 by Fargo
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’d like to start off by saying my dumb ass didn’t look for trigger warnings or a Mature label because it wasn’t wrapped. I didn’t think anything of it…so I was definitely surprised with the detailed content lol (I’m not taking any stars off for that since this was a ‘maybe I’ll like this type of manga’ thing.)
I don’t have a problem with smut or the really spicy stuff, but I prefer the relationship more. The blurb of this book sounded cute so I thought I’d give it a shot. However, there’s like ZERO character development in this volume - 400 pages! It jumps straight into the physical smexy stuff, which I didn’t have a problem with, but it never actually developed the characters together or individually.
It’s kind of disappointing because the art style’s nice and the color sections were vibrant (not in the ways I was expecting but still!). This book 400 pages to fluff up the characters a bit but didn’t do that and just focused on the physical attraction. Not my kind of series apparently.
I don’t have a problem with smut or the really spicy stuff, but I prefer the relationship more. The blurb of this book sounded cute so I thought I’d give it a shot. However, there’s like ZERO character development in this volume - 400 pages! It jumps straight into the physical smexy stuff, which I didn’t have a problem with, but it never actually developed the characters together or individually.
It’s kind of disappointing because the art style’s nice and the color sections were vibrant (not in the ways I was expecting but still!). This book 400 pages to fluff up the characters a bit but didn’t do that and just focused on the physical attraction. Not my kind of series apparently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Rape
Sorry for My Familiar Vol. 1 by Tekka Yaguraba
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I’ve been so excited for this since I stumbled across it! It didn’t disappoint!
I love the concept because it’s silly, and I was really curious about the vibes it would bring - quirky with just a sprinkle of seriousness! Norman has no powers except the only thing a human could bring to Devil World: his knowledge. I’d say the ability to unsettle his opponents is also a power, but that’s just me.
Sorry for My Familiar gives me Fairy Tail and MÄR vibes, which I’m here for! If you’re looking for a light-hearted, funny quest series, this one is worth a shot!
I love the concept because it’s silly, and I was really curious about the vibes it would bring - quirky with just a sprinkle of seriousness! Norman has no powers except the only thing a human could bring to Devil World: his knowledge. I’d say the ability to unsettle his opponents is also a power, but that’s just me.
Sorry for My Familiar gives me Fairy Tail and MÄR vibes, which I’m here for! If you’re looking for a light-hearted, funny quest series, this one is worth a shot!
Hard-Boiled Stories from the Cat Bar by Ono Yourei
dark
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
This was a hard one to rate. On one hand, once the pieces (finally) started clicking together chronologically, it was an interesting story. I just can’t rate it 4 stars - technically I am only because Goodreads doesn’t do half stars. The fact that the 3 main guys all look similar REALLY confused me. I mean, the plot kind of did too until it did the ‘this is what happened we didn’t show you before’ thing that helped connect the dots.
While I did end up mostly understanding, this one’s tough to decide whether I actually enjoyed it. But hey, at least it was well illustrated and had cats!
While I did end up mostly understanding, this one’s tough to decide whether I actually enjoyed it. But hey, at least it was well illustrated and had cats!
Super Sons: The Polarshield Project by Ridley Pearson, Ile Gonzalez
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This is might be a really good series! Love that it’s in color and Ile Gonzalez did a great job with the illustrations!
I loved Jon and Ian instantly as well as their chemistry. Tilly was an interesting addition to the cast of characters. I’m not sold on Candace yet, but this is the first book and probably for a middle grade audience.
I actually really got into this book so I will definitely be adding this to my list!
I loved Jon and Ian instantly as well as their chemistry. Tilly was an interesting addition to the cast of characters. I’m not sold on Candace yet, but this is the first book and probably for a middle grade audience.
I actually really got into this book so I will definitely be adding this to my list!
Tiger & Bunny Comic Anthology, Vol. 2 by Asuka Henshubu, SUNRISE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Nate Plus One by Kevin van Whye
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
4.5
I know this sounds cheesy, but Nate Plus One is just such a great book! Nate and Jai (LOVE the names!) are awesome as protagonists and their whole relationship is well done. The supporting characters are so warm too!
Having music in a story has become one of my favorite elements! I enjoyed getting to read the lyrics and imagining how the songs would sound!
My only complaint about this book, and why I didn’t give it 5 stars, was that I wish it was a little longer. We are dropped into Nate’s life on a day and taken on this journey with him. I definitely enjoyed the journey, though I would have liked…more pining, I guess?
Still a lovely read with a different setting - I mean, Africa? Very cool! Also, I would not be opposed to a sequel where Nate has become a permanent(?) member of Infinite Sorrow or a successful songwriter while the band gets HUGE!
Having music in a story has become one of my favorite elements! I enjoyed getting to read the lyrics and imagining how the songs would sound!
My only complaint about this book, and why I didn’t give it 5 stars, was that I wish it was a little longer. We are dropped into Nate’s life on a day and taken on this journey with him. I definitely enjoyed the journey, though I would have liked…more pining, I guess?
Still a lovely read with a different setting - I mean, Africa? Very cool! Also, I would not be opposed to a sequel where Nate has become a permanent(?) member of Infinite Sorrow or a successful songwriter while the band gets HUGE!
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
[3.5]
I struggled with rating this book because there are positives and almost equal negatives for me.
Positives:
- That ending was PERFECT!
- With the poetry style, Reynolds still did a good job with character development.
- The worldbuilding was decent.
Negatives:
- I have a HUGE pet peeve with broken grammar and it made me cringe so hard I nearly imploded every time. (I’m a grammar nerd, what can I say?)
- There were some back and forth with the backstory/plot that gave me a bit of whiplash.
- The language shifted between that broken grammar to more propar grammar inconsistently. I know it’s a stylistic choice but it didn’t have as much of an impact for me.
So yeah, some things I liked about Long Way Down and some things I disliked. Still glad I gave it a shot. I’d also like to read the graphic novel too. I think my library has it too!
I struggled with rating this book because there are positives and almost equal negatives for me.
Positives:
- That ending was PERFECT!
- With the poetry style, Reynolds still did a good job with character development.
- The worldbuilding was decent.
Negatives:
- I have a HUGE pet peeve with broken grammar and it made me cringe so hard I nearly imploded every time. (I’m a grammar nerd, what can I say?)
- There were some back and forth with the backstory/plot that gave me a bit of whiplash.
- The language shifted between that broken grammar to more propar grammar inconsistently. I know it’s a stylistic choice but it didn’t have as much of an impact for me.
So yeah, some things I liked about Long Way Down and some things I disliked. Still glad I gave it a shot. I’d also like to read the graphic novel too. I think my library has it too!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Blood
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
First, I want to thank the authors for that ending! I try to accept whatever ending books have because obviously they’re written that way for a reason, but I was BEGGING for this book to end the way I wanted it to lol
Tanner and Sebastian’s struggles, family dynamics, and views on their sexuality was kind of addictive to read about. I don’t want to call current queer romances ‘light-hearted’ or ‘flowery’, though they mostly have a happy ever after (that I’m not complaining about). I like that Autoboyography didn’t have that feeling. The romance was paced differently for one thing.
I’ve also got…different feelings about religion and sexuality or gender identity now than I did when I was little. There’s some religious trauma in there too. Naturally, I connected with Sebastian’s struggles even if I, thankfully, wasn’t around such a religious household. I can sympathize with him.
I love the title of this book too! I don’t know what else to say except that it’s just a really good book!
Tanner and Sebastian’s struggles, family dynamics, and views on their sexuality was kind of addictive to read about. I don’t want to call current queer romances ‘light-hearted’ or ‘flowery’, though they mostly have a happy ever after (that I’m not complaining about). I like that Autoboyography didn’t have that feeling. The romance was paced differently for one thing.
I’ve also got…different feelings about religion and sexuality or gender identity now than I did when I was little. There’s some religious trauma in there too. Naturally, I connected with Sebastian’s struggles even if I, thankfully, wasn’t around such a religious household. I can sympathize with him.
I love the title of this book too! I don’t know what else to say except that it’s just a really good book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Homophobia