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laurenleigh's reviews
623 reviews
Once Upon a Leap Year by Anna Bell
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Our main characters share a February 29th birthday, and we see them primarily every leap day over the course of 20 years. It was an interesting change of pace to see a romance novel with such a long time span, and you do get to see character growth in a rewarding way. They seemed to spend a lot of time apart in between leap years though, so kind of weird romantic development. I didn’t have a bad time reading this, I just don’t think it’s going to stick with me for very long.
ASAP by Axie Oh
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
I didn’t love XOXO, the first in this “series,” but I figured I’d give this a go to complete a reading challenge prompt. It was cute and formulaic and just fine overall. Everything just felt pretty bland to me. A lot of the “falling back in love” elements of this second-chance romance happened while our characters were separated, and I guess I wanted them to spend more time together. Even if that means conflict, it’s more exciting and engaging than a lot of internal dialogue.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Kind of disappointing, really. This could have been so good, but it really wasn’t. There’s definitely chemistry between our main characters, but everything else felt neglected. I get JLA was trying to keep the reader in the dark about certain plot points to give us a big reveal, but it just left me confused for most of the book. It felt like the world-building was not quite complete. I liked the building blocks, but it never actually came together. Lastly, what really drove me crazy was the constant paragraph breaks. That only works sparingly to add emphasis. When you do it constantly, it loses all effect and drives me up a wall.
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
This is a collection of dark short stories by Indigenous authors, and I will admit that I absolutely picked this up just because the cover stopped me in my tracks at a bookstore. I struggle with short story collections though, because inevitably some connect with me more than others, and it leaves me feeling ambivalent overall. Maybe 25% or 30% of the stories here stood out to me? Some were just too gory horror for me. I actually had to switch to audiobook at the end because I use my e-reader at night before bed, and it was getting too scary for me. Especially with my ultra vivid pregnancy dreams!
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
I liked this graphic novel a lot, but then I read the author’s note at the end and I was completely blown away. The research into folk fairy tales from around the world, the dress designers he took inspiration from, and the work that went into the art...it all floored me. I’d almost recommend reading the author’s note first and then reading the novel! I borrowed this from my library, but there’s a good chance I’ll pick up a copy for my own library. I’d love for my daughter to have stories like this in her home.
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another amazing graphic novel to come out of June’s Queer Lit readathon! I appreciated the length of this one. Graphic novels go by so quickly; sometimes I wish they hung around for longer. Walden weaves together 3+ storylines in a way that was complex but never too confusing. And her art style is gorgeous. It’s maybe a tad too busy for me, like there was so much going on I wanted her to zoom out a bit. But WOW does she depict light incredibly. No joke, her light and shadows would truly stop me in my tracks.
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was intrigued by a romantasy inspired by Norse mythology, and while this delivered on some fronts, it was lacking in others. I liked the fast pace and all the action scenes. It was exciting on that front, but on the other hand, it didn’t leave much room for character development. So even if the stakes were high, I never cared that much for our characters. In the same vein, the romance could have used more foundation. There was a bit of political intrigue, but I wanted more. Cool premise and I’m interested to see what happens next, but I’ll wait to see how book #2 is received before I buy into it.
Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
3.0
The premise here is that a young girl during Nigeria’s civil war (late 60's) falls in love with another girl, on the other side of the conflict. I’m glad I read that blurb before starting, because the narrative does not follow chronologically at all, in a really confusing manner. Like part II is all about her punishment when part III is about the “crime?” It left me feeling like I had missed something for a big chunk of the book. Also I recommend doing a quick read of the wiki on this war before reading; that would have helped me.
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Dark, sad, and tough to read, but important to witness. Mottley, an Oakland native, writes a fictionalized version of a real-life 2016 case where OPD officers were trafficking underage Black girls in a prostitution ring. It’s like an SVU episode come to life, in a terrible way. Mottley started writing this when she was 17 (!!), and it’s incredibly beautiful poetic prose, despite the ugly subject matter. If she wasn’t such a good writer, I probably would have struggled to get through this.
Six Angry Girls by Adrienne Kisner
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Our main character here is a high school theatre kid who discovers mock trial, knitting, and activism...say less!! Almost felt a little spooky how much I identified with her, especially when she was auditioning for college theatre programs. That took me back! I had so much fun with this read, and I love the message that activism can manifest in a lot of different ways. Librarians and local yarn store owners can totally kick ass, even if it’s a quieter kind of protest. Books like this give me hope for the youth!