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shereadytoread's Reviews (823)
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
This book was a fun read but didn’t live up to my hopes.
The Good:
This leans horror comedy with lots of funny one-liners, references and cute fantastical characters. The world is visually interesting and the concept of transformation is great. There is queer and nonbinary representation. Themes around mental health are touched on in a good way and play a big role for one of the group.
The Bad:
There are a lot of half plot lines that are introduced but don’t really go anywhere. It tries to pack too much into a short package to properly get into everything.
Overall:
I think this one is definitely worth reading. I think I would have LOVED this as a fleshed out story. The world is very interesting but with so many moving parts, I felt like I wasn’t getting enough of any of it.
The Good:
This leans horror comedy with lots of funny one-liners, references and cute fantastical characters. The world is visually interesting and the concept of transformation is great. There is queer and nonbinary representation. Themes around mental health are touched on in a good way and play a big role for one of the group.
The Bad:
There are a lot of half plot lines that are introduced but don’t really go anywhere. It tries to pack too much into a short package to properly get into everything.
Overall:
I think this one is definitely worth reading. I think I would have LOVED this as a fleshed out story. The world is very interesting but with so many moving parts, I felt like I wasn’t getting enough of any of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall I really enjoyed the story. Thought the complex characters ' struggles with identity, family and their friendship added a lot to the impact of the plot. The mystery was well paced but there was still an ending hook/twist. I had some mixed feelings about some of the character choices the during climax but do understand the connection.
This was chosen as the "Summer Road Trip" selection for the Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
This was chosen as the "Summer Road Trip" selection for the Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
I think this book was such an interesting concept and I think it can be a lot of fun to read if you like slower paced cozy books. The concept of the department store (and competing stores) selling dreams and being paid in emotions was really fun. The book has some depth in conversations about the power and purpose of dreaming, both the science of the act and the more emotional viewpoint of our aspirations. I think where this book falls short for me is a lot of "tell not show". We are constantly seeing the workers talking about the emotions but we aren't actually seeing the emotion or the dreamers truly experiencing it. It felt like a great teacher giving a really interesting lecture about a topic, but not the same as diving into the topic yourself.
It's a short work and still worth the read to me but I would have loved a bit more visual happenings.
Disclaimer: I received a physical ARC in addition to the free ebook. My opinions are my own.
It's a short work and still worth the read to me but I would have loved a bit more visual happenings.
Disclaimer: I received a physical ARC in addition to the free ebook. My opinions are my own.
emotional
This book was refreshing read. I loved that it was a romance focused on two queer black men in their 40s. Their backgrounds and family/friend interactions really added to the story and the romance. This book put a lot of stock into being realistic to the balance of professional lives and personal relationships and how ambition can affect one's relationships (romantic, platonic and familial). I liked the characters meet cute starting off not so friendly and then evolving.
The book was more novella length and unfortunately I think that many pieces were introduced but not fully fleshed out and this book could have served to be longer. We get some interactions with an ex and an opposing coworker that start off strong but don't come to fruition.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy from the author.3.5 rounded up
This book was refreshing read. I loved that it was a romance focused on two queer black men in their 40s. Their backgrounds and family/friend interactions really added to the story and the romance. This book put a lot of stock into being realistic to the balance of professional lives and personal relationships and how ambition can affect one's relationships (romantic, platonic and familial). I liked the characters meet cute starting off not so friendly and then evolving.
The book was more novella length and unfortunately I think that many pieces were introduced but not fully fleshed out and this book could have served to be longer. We get some interactions with an ex and an opposing coworker that start off strong but don't come to fruition.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy from the author.
The book was more novella length and unfortunately I think that many pieces were introduced but not fully fleshed out and this book could have served to be longer. We get some interactions with an ex and an opposing coworker that start off strong but don't come to fruition.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy from the author.3.5 rounded up
This book was refreshing read. I loved that it was a romance focused on two queer black men in their 40s. Their backgrounds and family/friend interactions really added to the story and the romance. This book put a lot of stock into being realistic to the balance of professional lives and personal relationships and how ambition can affect one's relationships (romantic, platonic and familial). I liked the characters meet cute starting off not so friendly and then evolving.
The book was more novella length and unfortunately I think that many pieces were introduced but not fully fleshed out and this book could have served to be longer. We get some interactions with an ex and an opposing coworker that start off strong but don't come to fruition.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy from the author.
emotional
mysterious
This book was a really good mystery. It shined a specific light on the MMIW movement (more information here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_and_Murdered_Indigenous_Women). It follows 4 POVs of teenagers in the community who are faced with suspicion and fear after one of their classmates if found dead.
I thought that the author did a really great job at balancing the emotions of wanting to clear their names, fear for their community but also wanting to protect themselves even at the cost of their connections at time. I think the book introduces enough hints that you can figure it out if you pay attention, but also unfolds really well if trying to guess the ending of the mystery isn't your thing.
The four main characters are all connected to the victims in different ways and seeing each person's background unfold really made the story feel fleshed out.
Disclaimer: I received a free eARC and finished copy from the publisher. A review was not required and all thoughts are my own.
I thought that the author did a really great job at balancing the emotions of wanting to clear their names, fear for their community but also wanting to protect themselves even at the cost of their connections at time. I think the book introduces enough hints that you can figure it out if you pay attention, but also unfolds really well if trying to guess the ending of the mystery isn't your thing.
The four main characters are all connected to the victims in different ways and seeing each person's background unfold really made the story feel fleshed out.
Disclaimer: I received a free eARC and finished copy from the publisher. A review was not required and all thoughts are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Abandonment
Moderate: Kidnapping
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a big task for me as high fantasy is not my typical choice. I think the author did a great job at introducing the wide cast of characters and factions. There was a good amount of world-building that didn't feel like an exposition dump and the intricacies of the relationships between the religions and kingdoms came together well.
All of the relationships (romantic, platonic and adversarial) were very complex and had a lot of depth. I was not a HUGE fan of the big twist in the story. It made me feel a little ick, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It managed to wrap up the ends for everyone and you don't finish with a lot of questions of what next.
I plan on jumping right into A Day of Fallen Night!
All of the relationships (romantic, platonic and adversarial) were very complex and had a lot of depth. I was not a HUGE fan of the big twist in the story. It made me feel a little ick, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It managed to wrap up the ends for everyone and you don't finish with a lot of questions of what next.
I plan on jumping right into A Day of Fallen Night!
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thought this was such a unique post-apocalyptic tale as it is focused on an internal threat that causes society's collapse which is otherwise experiencing cataclysmic events they could survive. The premise of losing the ability to dream outside of indigenous populations.
It provides a lot of commentary on identity and the lengths that people will go to for survival. Something I found interesting was how the author wove in multi-cultural individuals that may find protection or danger in their indigenous identities, and how those identities played into their lives.
There are definitely some dark moments in the story and while this does read as a found family journey, there is a lot of attention given to their individual stories and backgrounds and the lives that were stolen from them.
I definitely want to read the sequel but I do think I want to give it a little break first!
This was chosen as the "EcoFiction" selection for the Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
It provides a lot of commentary on identity and the lengths that people will go to for survival. Something I found interesting was how the author wove in multi-cultural individuals that may find protection or danger in their indigenous identities, and how those identities played into their lives.
There are definitely some dark moments in the story and while this does read as a found family journey, there is a lot of attention given to their individual stories and backgrounds and the lives that were stolen from them.
I definitely want to read the sequel but I do think I want to give it a little break first!
This was chosen as the "EcoFiction" selection for the Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexual violence
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
I had really mixed feelings about this book. I enjoy the message behind the book about the love of reading and how important reading and books can be in someone's life. I loved the idea of the power of books and how that presents in different ways for different people.
However, the concept and the execution don't match up as much. The "adventures" to save books are primarily short philosophical conversations about different viewpoints on books and reading. There is no action to these quests. It's walk in, talk, rinse and repeat.
I really enjoyed some of the imagery around the books and the bookshop. The cat is a brash character but not in a way that made him unlikeable to me.
This was chosen as the "Works in Translation" selection for the Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
However, the concept and the execution don't match up as much. The "adventures" to save books are primarily short philosophical conversations about different viewpoints on books and reading. There is no action to these quests. It's walk in, talk, rinse and repeat.
I really enjoyed some of the imagery around the books and the bookshop. The cat is a brash character but not in a way that made him unlikeable to me.
This was chosen as the "Works in Translation" selection for the Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
emotional
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was disappointed by this one, especially because I LOVED the last book I read by this author. I actually purchased this one first, and I'm glad I got to it second because I don't know that I would have read another book by this author if I read this one first.
There was nothing romantic about this romance. It is a second-chance romance that is full of cheating and lying. The main character's family members seem to blame her or feel that she needs to move on past the significant betrayal of her ex. They also blatantly encourage her to ruin someone else's engagement to get what she wants. The love interest is a serial cheater and liar throughout the book (I mean up until basically the end) and it is played off as it's romantic and he's conflicted, but even though EVERYONE knows what he has done to her ... they seem to hold him up as a wonderful person that she should forgive.
I'm giving it two stars instead of one, because I do really like the author's writing style and some pieces of this story I thought were great, but it didn't outweigh all the negative. I love a good second-chance romance, but this is not it.
There was nothing romantic about this romance. It is a second-chance romance that is full of cheating and lying. The main character's family members seem to blame her or feel that she needs to move on past the significant betrayal of her ex. They also blatantly encourage her to ruin someone else's engagement to get what she wants. The love interest is a serial cheater and liar throughout the book (I mean up until basically the end) and it is played off as it's romantic and he's conflicted, but even though EVERYONE knows what he has done to her ... they seem to hold him up as a wonderful person that she should forgive.
I'm giving it two stars instead of one, because I do really like the author's writing style and some pieces of this story I thought were great, but it didn't outweigh all the negative. I love a good second-chance romance, but this is not it.
This is a no thoughts, just vibes read. I sped through it. No big issues. I enjoyed it a lot while reading but I probably will never think about it again. This is the type of thing I would read to get me out of a reading slump.