xandra_lyn's reviews
534 reviews

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

Olympians: Dionysos: The New God by George O'Connor

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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

Wolfwalkers: The Graphic Novel by Samuel Sattin

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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).

Content Warnings

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

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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

Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmberg

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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.

Content Warnings

Echoes of the Ancient Skies: The Astronomy of Lost Civilizations by E.C. Krupp

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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

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced