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elementarymydear's reviews
956 reviews
How to Solve Murders Like a Lady by Hannah Dolby
2.0
I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was looking forward to rejoining Violet in a follow-up adventure. Very soon, though, I started to wish I hadn’t.
The things that I didn’t like about the first book were out in full force. Violet has her moments of being embarrassingly naive, which very quickly became grating, and the mystery plot wasn’t strong or coherent enough to carry the book. I really liked the clear story and character arc (and how they were intertwined) in the first book, and that was lacking here.
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My favourite thing about the first book though, which thankfully was also my favourite thing about the second, is Violet’s relationship with her parents. Her mother especially is such a great character, and I loved the scenes where they interact. I particularly liked how Violet’s relationship with her father evolved in this book. They have a very complex relationship between the three of them and it’s also fascinating to see it play out.
I can’t see myself continuing on with this series, but I hope that there is more character development and maturity from Violet as the series continues.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The things that I didn’t like about the first book were out in full force. Violet has her moments of being embarrassingly naive, which very quickly became grating, and the mystery plot wasn’t strong or coherent enough to carry the book. I really liked the clear story and character arc (and how they were intertwined) in the first book, and that was lacking here.
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My favourite thing about the first book though, which thankfully was also my favourite thing about the second, is Violet’s relationship with her parents. Her mother especially is such a great character, and I loved the scenes where they interact. I particularly liked how Violet’s relationship with her father evolved in this book. They have a very complex relationship between the three of them and it’s also fascinating to see it play out.
I can’t see myself continuing on with this series, but I hope that there is more character development and maturity from Violet as the series continues.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Noah Frye Gets Crushed by Maggie Horne
3.0
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me, so let’s start with the things I enjoyed!
The thing that stood out the most for me was the depiction of compulsory heterosexuality. I thought it was done really well, as we saw Noah pick a boy to ‘have a crush on’, and look at her straight friends and try to copy the way they felt and acted about boys. Sometimes it lead to hilarious outcomes, sometimes heartbreaking, and I thought it was done really well.
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I also really liked the different relationships that Noah had with her friends and family. She has a strong (and true-to-life) relationship with her older sister, and all of the friendships were really sweet.
To be honest, the relationship with Jessa – the girl she has a crush on – was the most underwhelming. I didn’t really get a sense that Noah fancied her, or that the way she felt about Jessa was different than any of her other friends, until the very end. Mostly it came from other characters (such as Noah’s sister suspecting she had a crush) rather than Noah herself, and I would have liked to see a bit more in the text.
With that came lower stakes for me in the story. I wasn’t particularly invested, and the book didn’t really engage me in the way I wanted it to.
There are some really great themes and ideas in this book, but overall I found it fell a little flat for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The thing that stood out the most for me was the depiction of compulsory heterosexuality. I thought it was done really well, as we saw Noah pick a boy to ‘have a crush on’, and look at her straight friends and try to copy the way they felt and acted about boys. Sometimes it lead to hilarious outcomes, sometimes heartbreaking, and I thought it was done really well.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
I also really liked the different relationships that Noah had with her friends and family. She has a strong (and true-to-life) relationship with her older sister, and all of the friendships were really sweet.
To be honest, the relationship with Jessa – the girl she has a crush on – was the most underwhelming. I didn’t really get a sense that Noah fancied her, or that the way she felt about Jessa was different than any of her other friends, until the very end. Mostly it came from other characters (such as Noah’s sister suspecting she had a crush) rather than Noah herself, and I would have liked to see a bit more in the text.
With that came lower stakes for me in the story. I wasn’t particularly invested, and the book didn’t really engage me in the way I wanted it to.
There are some really great themes and ideas in this book, but overall I found it fell a little flat for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Code of the Vavasors by Jonathan Pinnock
4.0
I’m going to be honest: I didn’t know that this was a series when I started this book. I very quickly realised that this was in fact book 6, and I was filled with dread – but it didn’t matter! I still really enjoyed the story and I got a great introduction to the characters and the world, while still getting a sense of the wider story that this was a part of.
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In many ways this book reminded me of the Rivers of London series, just without the magic. It had a strong sense of humour, a good cast of characters with a couple of core players and some others who pass in and out, and a wacky and slightly unhinged (in the best way) approach to the plot.
The maths elements were also a really fun addition. I love maths and I’ve never seen it mixed in with a book like this, but it was also done in a way that could appeal and make sense to those with less mathematical knowledge. Everything is explained between the characters in a way that includes the reader without slowing down the story.
I also really liked the author’s approach to diversity. There were characters of different races, sexualities and gender identities, but it was done in a way that felt very realistic and true to life. There wasn’t any fanfare about it, but it still affected the character’s lives in day-to-day ways.
This was a great read, and now I’m going to go and track down the first five books in the series!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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In many ways this book reminded me of the Rivers of London series, just without the magic. It had a strong sense of humour, a good cast of characters with a couple of core players and some others who pass in and out, and a wacky and slightly unhinged (in the best way) approach to the plot.
The maths elements were also a really fun addition. I love maths and I’ve never seen it mixed in with a book like this, but it was also done in a way that could appeal and make sense to those with less mathematical knowledge. Everything is explained between the characters in a way that includes the reader without slowing down the story.
I also really liked the author’s approach to diversity. There were characters of different races, sexualities and gender identities, but it was done in a way that felt very realistic and true to life. There wasn’t any fanfare about it, but it still affected the character’s lives in day-to-day ways.
This was a great read, and now I’m going to go and track down the first five books in the series!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell
4.0
When I started this book I’d been in a bit of a reading slump, but I finished this book in a single day, that’s how much I was gripped by the story! I couldn’t put it down, I kept saying to myself “just one more chapter” because I was desperate to know what happened.
The book is a mix of genres, combining horror, mystery and historical fiction, and they all work brilliantly together. The historical setting sets the creepy atmosphere early on, and even before it’s revealed there is a sense that there is something uncanny going on.
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It took a few chapters to settle into the story and the pacing, but once it got going there was no way I was getting off this train! There were also really strong feminist themes, which I particularly enjoyed, as the different female characters fought for their own agency and place in the world. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say that I found it chilling!
Overall this was an atmospheric, absorbing read, filled with unexpected turns.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The book is a mix of genres, combining horror, mystery and historical fiction, and they all work brilliantly together. The historical setting sets the creepy atmosphere early on, and even before it’s revealed there is a sense that there is something uncanny going on.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
It took a few chapters to settle into the story and the pacing, but once it got going there was no way I was getting off this train! There were also really strong feminist themes, which I particularly enjoyed, as the different female characters fought for their own agency and place in the world. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say that I found it chilling!
Overall this was an atmospheric, absorbing read, filled with unexpected turns.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Upstaged by Robin Easter
4.0
This is such a sweet book, perfect for all the queer theatre kids out there!
The whole story is set at a performing arts summer camp, where they’re putting on a Cinderella-inspired show called “Ella”. Our main character, Ash, is the stage manager, and they have a crush on their best friend, leading lady Ivy.
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I really liked the setting of the summer camp; the rehearsal and show process provided a really strong narrative, and there was that sense of excitement and camaraderie that felt really nostalgic as an adult reader.
I also loved how all the characters were able to exist without their identities being a central talking point. They were all able to live as their authentic selves, without comment or question, and I think it’s so important to have books out there like this one for queer kids as they’re growing up.
The real star of the book, of course, is the friendship-turned-romance between Ash and Ivy. They have such a lovely friendship, and it was so sweet to see them figure out their feelings for each other.
All of this is tied together with bright, vibrant artwork, that really completes the summer fun vibes. While the book is aimed at middle grade readers, I think there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The whole story is set at a performing arts summer camp, where they’re putting on a Cinderella-inspired show called “Ella”. Our main character, Ash, is the stage manager, and they have a crush on their best friend, leading lady Ivy.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
I really liked the setting of the summer camp; the rehearsal and show process provided a really strong narrative, and there was that sense of excitement and camaraderie that felt really nostalgic as an adult reader.
I also loved how all the characters were able to exist without their identities being a central talking point. They were all able to live as their authentic selves, without comment or question, and I think it’s so important to have books out there like this one for queer kids as they’re growing up.
The real star of the book, of course, is the friendship-turned-romance between Ash and Ivy. They have such a lovely friendship, and it was so sweet to see them figure out their feelings for each other.
All of this is tied together with bright, vibrant artwork, that really completes the summer fun vibes. While the book is aimed at middle grade readers, I think there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
4.0
This book delivers exactly what it says on the tin. Sapphic romance? Check! Cosy vibes? Check! Adventures with dragons? Check!
I loved the two main characters, Reyna and Kianthe. They were both great characters in their own right, but also complemented each other and were a great couple to have a centre of the story. It was also nice to have a romantic story where they’re already together at the start.
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There was also a really fun fantasy adventure, and while it wasn’t the focal point of the story, it was a nice addition to give the story some drive and a nice conclusion.
An absolute gold star goes to the audiobook narrator, Jessica Threet. The commitment to this audiobook was honestly unmatched, she acted the absolute heck out of it, and really elevated the whole story.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I loved the two main characters, Reyna and Kianthe. They were both great characters in their own right, but also complemented each other and were a great couple to have a centre of the story. It was also nice to have a romantic story where they’re already together at the start.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
There was also a really fun fantasy adventure, and while it wasn’t the focal point of the story, it was a nice addition to give the story some drive and a nice conclusion.
An absolute gold star goes to the audiobook narrator, Jessica Threet. The commitment to this audiobook was honestly unmatched, she acted the absolute heck out of it, and really elevated the whole story.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend: A Celebration of Gay Gods, Sapphic Saints, and Queerness through the ages by Dan Jones
4.0
Having read an enjoyed Queer Villains of Myth and Legend earlier this year, I was excited to read Jones’ earlier book about the corresponding heroes.
We’re taken on a whistle-stop tour from antiquity through to Buffy, featuring mythological figures from different cultures around the world, and looking at how their queerness has been depicted and received over the years. There are some that most of us have heard of, some you probably haven’t, and overall a really great and varied selection.
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The tone is very light-hearted and sometime tongue-in-cheek, making it very accessible and the ideal book to dip in and out of. There are also a few illustrations which really enhance the book as a whole.
My biggest criticism is that there was no mention of asexuality, despite there being many opportunities too. There were multiple people – mostly women – where Jones concluded that their lack of desire was indicative that they were secretly gay, without even mentioning or considering asexuality. It would have been a great addition, not just because the asexual community are often passed over in any discussion of the LGBTQ+ community, but also that some of the characters were actually ones that many ace people identify with.
Jones is unable to resist the temptation to use modern terminology when looking at mythological figures (and some real people) from centuries ago, but given the light-hearted style of the whole book, if you can take this with a grain of salt it will be a very enjoyable and interesting read!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
We’re taken on a whistle-stop tour from antiquity through to Buffy, featuring mythological figures from different cultures around the world, and looking at how their queerness has been depicted and received over the years. There are some that most of us have heard of, some you probably haven’t, and overall a really great and varied selection.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The tone is very light-hearted and sometime tongue-in-cheek, making it very accessible and the ideal book to dip in and out of. There are also a few illustrations which really enhance the book as a whole.
My biggest criticism is that there was no mention of asexuality, despite there being many opportunities too. There were multiple people – mostly women – where Jones concluded that their lack of desire was indicative that they were secretly gay, without even mentioning or considering asexuality. It would have been a great addition, not just because the asexual community are often passed over in any discussion of the LGBTQ+ community, but also that some of the characters were actually ones that many ace people identify with.
Jones is unable to resist the temptation to use modern terminology when looking at mythological figures (and some real people) from centuries ago, but given the light-hearted style of the whole book, if you can take this with a grain of salt it will be a very enjoyable and interesting read!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Home I Find With You by Skye Kilaen
3.0
In The Home I Find With You, Skye Kilaen vividly depicts a near-future where the USA has been torn apart by civil war. The setting was written in such an immersive way that from the first page I was drawn into the world and into the story. There was a very immediate sense of the dangers faced by the characters, as well as how society works in this new landscape.
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I also thought that the setting worked really well with the polyamorous themes. In this world monogamy is no longer the default, and I thought it made for a really interesting approach to the different character dynamics. It changed the expectations the characters had for each other, which made for a fascinating and refreshing approach.
It was actually the romance itself which I didn’t enjoy so much in this book. I didn’t particularly root for the main couple, and quite often didn’t like Clark. I also didn’t find their dynamic the most convincing, which is a shame as I think if it had been done slightly different I would have found it very compelling.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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I also thought that the setting worked really well with the polyamorous themes. In this world monogamy is no longer the default, and I thought it made for a really interesting approach to the different character dynamics. It changed the expectations the characters had for each other, which made for a fascinating and refreshing approach.
It was actually the romance itself which I didn’t enjoy so much in this book. I didn’t particularly root for the main couple, and quite often didn’t like Clark. I also didn’t find their dynamic the most convincing, which is a shame as I think if it had been done slightly different I would have found it very compelling.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir
5.0
Mary I might be one of the most controversial figures that Alison Weir has depicted in her fiction books. With her nickname ‘Bloody Mary’ her reputation leaves much to be desired, yet at the start of her reign she was a beloved monarch rescuing her subjects from an attempted power grab.
As Weir herself acknowledges in the historical note (it’s always worth noting how good her historical notes are), the challenge in this book was reconciling these different extremes of Mary’s character, and she landed it exactly right. It would have been easy for the book to become some sort of villain-backstory, or the tale of a tragically misunderstood anti-hero, but Weir approaches Mary’s story with the nuance needed for a real person’s life.
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As with her previous book about Mary’s father, the infamous Henry VIII, Weir does an excellent job of providing the context and grounding for us to understand the person’s actions, without endorsing them. There was a sense, especially as tragedy played an ever-increasing role in Mary’s life, of delusion bordering on madness towards the end of the book. We became immersed in Mary’s world and shared in her tragedies. Even when she was far from sympathetic, I still felt like I understood her.
This book successfully takes on one of Britain’s most notorious monarchs, exploring her humanity and tragedy while still acknowledging that her reputation was not unfounded. It’s another excellent historical fiction from Alison Weir, who continues to deliver on every front.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
As Weir herself acknowledges in the historical note (it’s always worth noting how good her historical notes are), the challenge in this book was reconciling these different extremes of Mary’s character, and she landed it exactly right. It would have been easy for the book to become some sort of villain-backstory, or the tale of a tragically misunderstood anti-hero, but Weir approaches Mary’s story with the nuance needed for a real person’s life.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
As with her previous book about Mary’s father, the infamous Henry VIII, Weir does an excellent job of providing the context and grounding for us to understand the person’s actions, without endorsing them. There was a sense, especially as tragedy played an ever-increasing role in Mary’s life, of delusion bordering on madness towards the end of the book. We became immersed in Mary’s world and shared in her tragedies. Even when she was far from sympathetic, I still felt like I understood her.
This book successfully takes on one of Britain’s most notorious monarchs, exploring her humanity and tragedy while still acknowledging that her reputation was not unfounded. It’s another excellent historical fiction from Alison Weir, who continues to deliver on every front.
I received a free copy for an honest review.