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xandra_lyn's reviews
528 reviews
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.0
This was my favorite book when I was a teen, and so I decided to re-read it as an adult.
I really liked it! I loved the wimsy and magic of the book, the mysteriousness of the other kingdom, and the myths/folklore of eastern Europe.
However, books made before the #meetoo movement often have problematic material. This one is relatively benign - Jena thinks she has mismanaged everything and heaps shame on herself, and Tati wastes away from true love. As an adult, I know that Jena didn't mismanage it - she was up against the rigid patriarchal structure of her time. But a kid wouldn't know that - and I wish someone in authority in the book had told Jena she'd done all she could and had done a good job.
Unfortunately nothing salvages the ridiculous Tati story line. Which is a shame, because I really love tati and feel the author did an injustice to portray her like that.
I really liked it! I loved the wimsy and magic of the book, the mysteriousness of the other kingdom, and the myths/folklore of eastern Europe.
However, books made before the #meetoo movement often have problematic material. This one is relatively benign - Jena thinks she has mismanaged everything and heaps shame on herself, and Tati wastes away from true love. As an adult, I know that Jena didn't mismanage it - she was up against the rigid patriarchal structure of her time. But a kid wouldn't know that - and I wish someone in authority in the book had told Jena she'd done all she could and had done a good job.
Unfortunately nothing salvages the ridiculous Tati story line. Which is a shame, because I really love tati and feel the author did an injustice to portray her like that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Torture
Sexual assault: Cezar gropes Jena, and it's clearly unwanted. I'm not sure it's "assault" but it could be hard for younger readers
Torture: they imply they torture a dwarf because he's from the other kingdom
A Taste of Italian Sunshine by Leonie Mack
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the first leonie mack book that I didn't love. There was a lot of second hand embarassment from Jenn's behavior, and then Jenn's character had a weird shift part where suddenly she wanted to sleep with titziano. Someone as uptight as Jenn just doesn't do those type of things. It felt like Leonie Mack didn't know how to get her from point a to point b.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
It's mainly closed door but then they are kinky phrases, like he bit her shoulder. So I figured moderate was appropriate
Dating A Golden Goddess by Laura Greenwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is best one yet! I really loved learning more about the world she has created. And Aphrodite was very different than I expected but it felt really sweet and genuine!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Boy Wonder #1 by Juni Ba
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Really good first issue! Can't wait to see where it goes!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexual violence
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #7 by Brian Buccellato
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was ok. There was just too much going on over too many comic issues for be a good, cohesive story
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Hercules #2 by Elliot Kalan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cute but it needs more Meg!! 😂
Delphine and the Silver Needle by Alyssa Moon
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was such a wonderful book!! It was exciting, but also full of descriptive detail. Her world building was really interesting, and I liked how it touched the Cinderella story at points, but not in a lot of ways.
I did doc a star because it landed on a MAJOR cliffhanger, and I hate it when books do that.
I did doc a star because it landed on a MAJOR cliffhanger, and I hate it when books do that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
The rat king kills some of his underlings. It is not incredibly graphic, but might be a bit scary for very young readers.
African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan by Geoffrey Girard, Thomas Lockley
adventurous
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
So as a book, i'd say it was definitely a 5 - very enjoyable and easy to read. As a biography, it's more like a 2 - there is too much blending of fact and fancy.
I'd almost say it's a factual novel. It's written like a novel, but it's not fiction.
It definitely gave me a good understanding of Japan in the late 1500s, and I felt immerses into Yasuke's life. I felt the "end" had too many loose threads that seemed indirectly linked together (which leads to the factual novel aspect of it).
I'd almost say it's a factual novel. It's written like a novel, but it's not fiction.
It definitely gave me a good understanding of Japan in the late 1500s, and I felt immerses into Yasuke's life. I felt the "end" had too many loose threads that seemed indirectly linked together (which leads to the factual novel aspect of it).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Rape
It deals with war, so a lot of violence and death. Rape was mentioned but not elaborated on
How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel by Cressida Cowell
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
The Vikings and dragons fight so some violence
Come as You Are: Revised and Updated: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Such an amazing book!! So many take aways - I highly recommend this to everyone who wants to learn more about their body. Even if you have great sex, you are bound to learn something with this
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Sexual assault is never graphically described but is discussed frequently as it is the reality of the female experience and impacts women's sex lives.
Sexual content isn't graphic, per say, but it is obviously discussed a lot.