I wasn't completely sure what to expect from this, but it was a really pleasant surprise! I'm really impressed with the comforting and healing way thiI wasn't completely sure what to expect from this, but it was a really pleasant surprise! I'm really impressed with the comforting and healing way this book managed to talk about death, grief and remembrance. It has a super interesting cast of characters where the characters aren't just fun, kind and loveable, but they are flawed and complex. The writing fit the story really well, and felt very immersive....more
What would make for a cosier cosy mystery than one set at a baking competition? This was a really fun, well-plotted middlegrade, with characters who wWhat would make for a cosier cosy mystery than one set at a baking competition? This was a really fun, well-plotted middlegrade, with characters who were all fleshed out and realistic....more
The publisher described this as a warmhearted fantasy, and I'll have to agree. While bad things happen, because that's just what life is like, and SadThe publisher described this as a warmhearted fantasy, and I'll have to agree. While bad things happen, because that's just what life is like, and Sade has had an especially tough life so far, it felt so hopeful overall. It's a much more quiet book than Raybearer and Redemptor, with a smaller scope, but that doesn't make it less important. It's a story of self-worth and of learning how you can impact your own life and even the world around you, even if you think you're just one small person. Jordan Ifueko's writing was once again gorgeous. I think the comp to Howl's Moving Castle really holds up, but in a way that really fits the world of Raybearer....more
I had seen nothing but amazing things about this, so I knew I was going to love this. And I did, this book is absolutely beautiful. It was filled withI had seen nothing but amazing things about this, so I knew I was going to love this. And I did, this book is absolutely beautiful. It was filled with so much love but also so emotional....more
This was entertaining and a very quick read, I ended up reading it in one sitting. I can't say it really stood out to me though, and I'm unlikely to rThis was entertaining and a very quick read, I ended up reading it in one sitting. I can't say it really stood out to me though, and I'm unlikely to read the sequel....more
Ohh this was SUCH a fun time! From the first chapter on, I was thoroughly entertained. Every time I read a cosy mystery, I'm reminded how much I enjoyOhh this was SUCH a fun time! From the first chapter on, I was thoroughly entertained. Every time I read a cosy mystery, I'm reminded how much I enjoy them, and this one left me wanting more. It's so much fun but also full of heart, so you genuinely care about the characters. I'm especially impressed at how fleshed out and interesting the kid character was....more
While this was entertaining, it didn't live up to Their Vicious Games for me. It was a quick read and I found it hard to put down, but I also kept feeWhile this was entertaining, it didn't live up to Their Vicious Games for me. It was a quick read and I found it hard to put down, but I also kept feeling like I was missing something. Due to the way the plot worked, it never felt like the characters were truly in danger, and I was missing some suspense. The paranormal element could have been so eerie and creepy, but it didn't really make me feel anything. I did like the characters, though!...more
This is such a beautiful story. The author really took her time to tell Aaliyah's story and I was fully invested all the way through. It's an amazing This is such a beautiful story. The author really took her time to tell Aaliyah's story and I was fully invested all the way through. It's an amazing romance full of tension, and I loved seeing them become genuine friends first and exchange so much banter. But it's also a beautiful story about two people healing from their own trauma and finding a way forward together....more
Filled with beautifully written stories, this anthology felt so inspired. Most of the stories are retellings but they all feel fresh and new, and eachFilled with beautifully written stories, this anthology felt so inspired. Most of the stories are retellings but they all feel fresh and new, and each story has drama but is also very romantic....more
This anthology made for a very interesting mix between memoir-like essays and almost academic ones. It was interesting to learn about the history of BThis anthology made for a very interesting mix between memoir-like essays and almost academic ones. It was interesting to learn about the history of Black romance, which felt almost like attending a really interesting lecture, and it was valuable to read about the authors' lived experiences....more
At first I thought I was going to enjoy this a lot. But then there was miscommunication on top of miscommunication, which just would not end, and I stAt first I thought I was going to enjoy this a lot. But then there was miscommunication on top of miscommunication, which just would not end, and I started begging these people to just talk to each other. I also really disliked the way Cyn treated Jucee, which was very disrespectful, especially considering they were already best friends before they started sleeping together. All in all this did not end up working for me....more
I enjoyed this for the most part, especially the setting, but I didn't end up feeling truly emotionally invested.I enjoyed this for the most part, especially the setting, but I didn't end up feeling truly emotionally invested....more
If you're ready for a dystopian revival, make sure to preorder this! It's a YA dystopian romance, set in a future where productivity is everything andIf you're ready for a dystopian revival, make sure to preorder this! It's a YA dystopian romance, set in a future where productivity is everything and people are exploited to spend their lives working themselves to the bone. Which just goes to show how dystopian has a way of showing the world for what it is by adding some sci-fi twists to something that's very much already a reality.
But this is part of the Joy Revolution imprint, and very much a YA romance, so it's also a fun, fast-paced read. These elements worked very well together to create a touching story with interesting worldbuilding that never became top heavy. I especially thought the element of "proxies", workers who take over what actually matters in life so the other people can focus on work, like childcare, relationships, and making memories, was so interesting....more
This was recommended to me literal years to go as a really funny read, and I don't know why it took me this long to finally read it. It definitely wasThis was recommended to me literal years to go as a really funny read, and I don't know why it took me this long to finally read it. It definitely was really funny, and I had such a good time with it....more
I don't read a lot of poetry, but when I'm in the right mood, I love this style of poetry: short, accessible poems, aiming to be healing and empowerinI don't read a lot of poetry, but when I'm in the right mood, I love this style of poetry: short, accessible poems, aiming to be healing and empowering. I especially loved the section about mental health, and those poems resonated the most with me. That's also because, as a white reader, I'm not the target audience for this collection, and this topic is the one I could relate to the most. I definitely did appreciate the other poems as well, and I think if you're a Black woman reading them, they will be really empowering.
This collection reminded me of Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson, which I would say is sort of a YA version of this. Both hold so much love for Black women, and they're aimed at self love and self acceptance in a world that doesn't always love you.
Read as part of the Read Around the World book club (Malawi)...more
She did burlesque, she did ballet, what more can I say?
I love that this book was written by a couple, and I'd definitely read more from them if they wShe did burlesque, she did ballet, what more can I say?
I love that this book was written by a couple, and I'd definitely read more from them if they write more books together. I loved the setup and the storyline where we follow a ballet group and a burlesque group competing in a reality TV show. The writing felt a little rocky to me a lot of the time, which is why this wasn't quite 4 stars for me, but I did otherwise really enjoy it....more
This YA contemporary fantasy should be on everyone's TBR list this fall, especially if you're a fan of Cemetery Boys!
It only just arrived on my KindleThis YA contemporary fantasy should be on everyone's TBR list this fall, especially if you're a fan of Cemetery Boys!
It only just arrived on my Kindle, but I couldn't pace myself and bumped it to the top of my TBR. And this was such a fun read!
It's about Jaxon and Christian, estranged childhood best friends to lovers, aka the BEST trope. Jaxon has grown up with a mortician mum, so he's used to being around death, but when Christian suddenly dies, he accidentally resurrects him and he finds out things are very different from what he's known so far. For one, he's a necromancer, and necromancy runs in the family. And maybe resurrecting Christian didn't come without a price. And oh, there are many family secrets to find out about as well.
Do you ever read a book where you just LOVE the pacing? You know when you're reading and you just love the choices the author's made in sharing the right information at the right time, and drawing out some of the mystery, but not keeping readers in the dark for no reason? There's enough mystery to propel the story forwards at all times, and I could hardly put this down, but there's also so much that unfolds throughout the book in a steady pace, so you never feel frustrated about not knowing or understanding things.
I also think this strikes an excellent balance between a darker fantasy, centering death and necromancy, and a certain amount of gore, on the one hand, and a fun, sweet contemporary romance on the other hand. I can definitely see myself rereading this!...more
Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I'm just too particular with horror, but this fell a little flat for me. I prefer my horror atmospheric,Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I'm just too particular with horror, but this fell a little flat for me. I prefer my horror atmospheric, and I kind of missed that here, so I didn't feel super invested. It was still very well written though!...more
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