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xandra_lyn's reviews
528 reviews
The Huntsman Redeemed by Amberlyn Holland
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so good! I spotted the Everly/Jelverck in book 2 of the dragon series, and it was really satisfying to see how it finally came together for them!
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Some minor fighting
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a hard one to rate. For most of it, I would have rated a 2.
First, the bad. It was REALLY boring for most of it. A lot of walking in the rain and getting sick and being hungry. Tolkien got away with it because he was the first in the genre, and Rowling got away with it because it was the trio together. But the MC was all by herself and kept pushing people away and it was boring...and dumb.
Which leads me to how dumb and boring Neryn was. I know it's common to have a heroine like that, especially back in 2012. But over a decade later, it hasn't aged well. She kept vacillating between trusting and abhoring Flint, and the emotional development on it was poor at best absent at worst. Also, she read as much older, at least 20, although I could have seen maybe 17. But she wasn't...
Which leads me to my third complaint of having it not age well: Neryn was 15, and her love interest is about 20. I get that historically that was fine, and i get society wasn't as aware as we are now back when this was written. But we should have been, and it's cringy reading it now.
And yet...I'm curious about the world building. When there was dialogue, it was interesting and I liked Flint. I liked the Good Folk, and I'm curious how it will turn out.
Which is why it got bumped from a 2 to a 3.
First, the bad. It was REALLY boring for most of it. A lot of walking in the rain and getting sick and being hungry. Tolkien got away with it because he was the first in the genre, and Rowling got away with it because it was the trio together. But the MC was all by herself and kept pushing people away and it was boring...and dumb.
Which leads me to how dumb and boring Neryn was. I know it's common to have a heroine like that, especially back in 2012. But over a decade later, it hasn't aged well. She kept vacillating between trusting and abhoring Flint, and the emotional development on it was poor at best absent at worst. Also, she read as much older, at least 20, although I could have seen maybe 17. But she wasn't...
Which leads me to my third complaint of having it not age well: Neryn was 15, and her love interest is about 20. I get that historically that was fine, and i get society wasn't as aware as we are now back when this was written. But we should have been, and it's cringy reading it now.
And yet...I'm curious about the world building. When there was dialogue, it was interesting and I liked Flint. I liked the Good Folk, and I'm curious how it will turn out.
Which is why it got bumped from a 2 to a 3.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
In the very first chapter, a man gropes her and touches her inappropriately. She escapes.
Torture: I feel what the enthrallers do to people torture, especially since it robs them of themselves.
The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Not well done at all, especially the story by Rick's son.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
How to Steal a Dragon's Sword by David Tennant, Cressida Cowell
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Definitely a bit darker and definitely sadder than previous books but very good.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Blood
Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism by John Piper, Wayne A. Grudem
challenging
slow-paced
1.0
Even if you are complementarian, this book is full of cringy beliefs. If you are not complementarian, it is misogynistic. I would be curious to see an updated argument from complementarians without their "women need to be in the home" mantra. Or perhaps they still believe that....
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
I put moderate misogyny because the authors do show respect about the concept of women; it's the practical side that becomes tricky. I know that sounds weird, but if you read it you'll understand
Olympians: Dionysos: The New God by George O'Connor
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was such a good adaptation of the mythology! I loved all the little nods and references - and the G(r)eel notes were really fun!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood
Wolfwalkers: The Graphic Novel by Samuel Sattin
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The concept for this story was really fascinating. However, I think it was a movie made into a graphic novel, and it didn't translate well. There were moments that were confusing or supposed to be funny but werent because it needed the movie aspect and not a drawn one.
I also don't like it when shows play with history and drastically change it, especially when it comes to kids things. They had lord Cromwell die at the end, and that didn't happen in real life. I'm an historian, so things like that matter to me.
Unfortunately, it probably accurately described Cromwell's fanatic religiousity. As a Christian, it was painful to read, but it's time Christians face the issues we've created rather than telling an alternate story. (It's also why telling the truth of history, despite it being a work of fiction, is so important).
I also don't like it when shows play with history and drastically change it, especially when it comes to kids things.
Unfortunately, it probably accurately described Cromwell's fanatic religiousity. As a Christian, it was painful to read, but it's time Christians face the issues we've created rather than telling an alternate story. (It's also why telling the truth of history, despite it being a work of fiction, is so important).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was good, but it's definitely dated in some respects. I'm not sure I would say this is for children, as it would definitely require some explanation on the part of the parents. See content warnings for details.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Kidnapping
Kidnapping: the kidnapping was kinda creepy, and knowing that this sort of thing happens in real life (for non-fantasy purposes) was really creepy.
Racism: the children talk casually in the first few chapters of "natives" and say some flippantly derogatory things. It's definitely inappropriate by today's standards and should be discussed with any child who reads it.
Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmberg
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my goodness I LOVED this book!! It was so beautiful and poignant satisfying. I was nervous with some of the reviews, but it was simply wonderful.
I want to address the content warnings of rape/sexual violence. When Chris joins with the sun, it is clearly painful for her, but it is not a graphic rendering of what a sexual assault would be. It's also clear that it's consensual. The sun cannot help but be what he is - which is a firey ball of light. It's kind of complicated to explain, but I imagined it like she was being consumed by a fire. Ceris did have some feelings that a survivor of violence would have, so that may have been what confused people and made them uncomfortable. I'm not sure why it was written that way, although the entire book seemed to be about processing trauma. It was really poignant in that respect. However, this fantasy trauma was removed enough from real trauma so that it wasn't too uncomfortable to process through. I would like Ceris's experience to a surgery or chemo - something that does cause trauma but something you choose out of necessity.
There is one almost assault scene, but Ceris escapes almost as soon as she is grabbed, and it is on earth. So I really don't know why people are giving a graphic rating to rape/sexual violence.
I want to address the content warnings of rape/sexual violence. When Chris joins with the sun, it is clearly painful for her, but it is not a graphic rendering of what a sexual assault would be. It's also clear that it's consensual. The sun cannot help but be what he is - which is a firey ball of light. It's kind of complicated to explain, but I imagined it like she was being consumed by a fire. Ceris did have some feelings that a survivor of violence would have, so that may have been what confused people and made them uncomfortable. I'm not sure why it was written that way, although the entire book seemed to be about processing trauma. It was really poignant in that respect. However, this fantasy trauma was removed enough from real trauma so that it wasn't too uncomfortable to process through. I would like Ceris's experience to a surgery or chemo - something that does cause trauma but something you choose out of necessity.
There is one almost assault scene, but Ceris escapes almost as soon as she is grabbed, and it is on earth. So I really don't know why people are giving a graphic rating to rape/sexual violence.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
There is an almost assault, but Ceris escapes almost as soon as she is grabbed
Echoes of the Ancient Skies: The Astronomy of Lost Civilizations by E.C. Krupp
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
This was interesting, but very dry. Also, it is very old and I began to wonder how much the information has changed as our knowledge has surely grown since the time this was written