prishukla's reviews
83 reviews

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a delightful and absurd book about regency-era pirate women who instead of captaining boats fly houses using an incantation. They are combatting a self-aggrandizing incel of the Victorian era and it is hilarious. This book knows exactly what it is -- it is leaning into all of the tropes of a bodice-ripper while also lampooning norms of the era and turning them in their head. So fabulous and I can't wait to read the next two!
Foxen Bloom by Parker Foye

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I got into this book and realized I was skimming it. The prose was beautiful, but also meant that it required more of my attention than I am prepared to give it. I'm sure it is a beautiful story, it's just not for me at this juncture. Perhaps I'll try again later
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

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Maybe it's because I picked this up after a heavier read (The Fifth Season), but I just couldn't get into it. The writing was too trite and the story just wasn't coming together for me. 
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

I found this book dfficult to get into and was only able to really enjoy it after a specific spoiler was revealed to me. I would say that if you also struggle to immerse yourself, give yourself until chapters 7/8 when the plot(s) really pick up and you have a sense of not just the world we're in, but also that there's more to it that the protagonist(s) are grappling with. It also ended on a cliffhanger, and I'm ready for what comes next. Overall, once I got into it, I REALLY got into it and devoured it.
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

This is a memoir about a queer Muslim Hijabi who uses the Quran to describe the contours of her queerness and her own journey with coming to peace with herself. It's a quick read, but it's also funny & heart-warming. Highly recommend this soul-nourishing read.
Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

Oh wow did I enjoy this -- maybe even more than Winter's Orbit. I was addicted to Tennal's sassiness and moved by Surit's self-aware wholesomeness. The plot was also more intricate w luscious. Most of all, Maxwell's depiction of reading & writing between reader and architect was scrumptious and delectable. I felt myself sinking into each moment when these events happened & was reminded of some of my favorite moments of N K Jemisen's Inheritance Trilogy. Highly recommend this incredible queer space opera & am so sad to be leaving this exquisite world behind. 
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

I really enjoyed this book. The relationship between Kiem & Jainen develops beautifully and gently until it bursts. But, the mystery they are trying to solve is suspenseful and interesting. I loved the worlds-building, the politics, the intrigue. Such a fun read!!
A Worthy Opponent by Katee Robert

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Out of the three Disney princess retellings I've read, this one is by far the best. It has the best character development and smut-as-plot-progression. I also enjoyed the overall storyline that brings Hook & Tink together - it truly feels like a journey compared to the other two.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

This book is not something that I would have picked up for myself and so glad that a friend recommended it to me. The writing style is always accessible even when the material (technical info about video games) is not, though you don't need to have that to enjoy the book. There is a lot of love in this book about strife, and it meant I fell in love with the characters -- it was a shocked to me how true this was when I got midway through the book and had to put it down to sit with my feelings. Overall a great read & something I would highly recommend.

Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

While Desperate Measures didn't exactly give me what I expected from Katee Roberts, Learn My Lesson is exactly what I expect: smut that also advances plot & character development. It also was an unexpected Olympus prequel/offshootz which I appreciate and made me enjoy this all the more.