tuma's reviews
422 reviews

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

Go to review page

funny inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

No complaints! Loved this book. Great story, exploring important issues. Great characters that I fell in love with. And steamy scenes were 🔥🔥. So glad to have done and read this. ❤️
Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell

Go to review page

mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I'm not sure how to review this. I love the writing. It was beautiful and made me feel like I was in a fever dream. I could easily envision this new world where mostly Black ppl exist and they learn to live outside of the framework of white supremacy. The novels explores some really interesting themes of identity, race, relationship, history, and generational trauma. However, I feel like I just don't "get" the story. What was the point? 

So, they build some kind of machine with a frequency turned to Black pain and it retaliated by killing all white people. Then Charles someone figured out how to heal everyone instead through it.


I felt like I was left hanging at the end with any closure. What happened to Sydney? What happens to Charles and the rest of the Mobile folks. I don't enjoy vague endings like this. Maybe I need to come back to it and ponder on it a bit. 
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Adiba Jaigirdar

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

This was such an enjoyable read. I love that it surprised me. Wasn't typical YA romance I was expecting. Had depth and explored some really powerful themes such as lost of a sibling, activism, friendship, following your dreams and more. While it is a love Story as they say, it is also so much more. Tiwa and Syed are great main characters with fun side characters like Julian, Sofia, and the Mayor. 
There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven by Ruben Reyes Jr.

Go to review page

emotional informative reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Wow! This was a really powerful collection of stories about the migrant experience by Salvadoran American writer. The speculative fiction vibes of the stories amplified them even more. It was mindbending and intriguing. I really loved it a lot. 
Out of Office by A.H. Cunningham

Go to review page

emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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

Really loved this one! Very Swoon worthy. Nice balance of Hot scenes & Sweet ones. Loved the characters. 
Alterations by Ray Xu

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

4.0

So fun! Such a great MG graphic novel. Super relatable. I love how it explores feelings of immigrant families and the sacrifices they make to try to assimilate. Kevin feeling out of place as one of few Asians at school, his older sister Lily's frustrations at being the oldest daughter to immigrants really hit home for me. I really enjoyed the role popo grandma played in taking care of the family and giving the kids another perspective of their mom. Because before she was a nagging mom, she was a brave young girl who fought for her future. It's a heartwarming story that made me chuckle 🤭 a lot while also going "aww" at other parts. Highly recommend for classroom. 

Rep: Chinese Canadian
When We Were Sisters by Fatimah Asghar

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The God of Good Looks by Breanne Mc Ivor

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

Man, this was great. Wasnt typically romance I was expecting. Really slow burn. It's  more of an emotional romance but that made it more impactful. About two people learning to accept themselves and be their true selves. To take back power that they had given away. I loved learning about what life is like in Trinidad and Tobago and the makeup industry through Obadiah and Bianca's POVs. The dual POV made the story more compelling. It would have been sorely lacking with only one of them telling the story. Really recommend this one!
Flirty Little Secret by Jessica Lepe

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted reflective
  • 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

Omg this was sooo good! Everything you love about romance with some unique aspects. 

Not too heavy on the spice but Lucy and Fletcher relationship was so sweet. I like that it wasn't too complicated or angst for no reason. The portrayal of Lucy's ADHD, anxiety, and depression was really illuminating and insightful. Readers can learn a lot and folks who have these diagnoses can feel seen. Lucy's sister's are a hoot! And imma need Brodie to find his own romance. He was hilarious and a sweetheart. Lucy's Mexican and Moroccan Jew heritage was beautiful to read and learn about. AND the book was FUNNY! What more can I ask for. I'll def be looking out for more from Jessica Lepe. 🥰
Fire Exit by Morgan Talty

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I liked this. Character driven fiction about what makes us who we are - our blood or who raises us. Themes of belonging, identity, mental illness, memory, and family. Emotional, poignant read. Beautiful writing.