Scan barcode
bookcrushin's reviews
275 reviews
In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My eyes hurt from tears … and from the beauty & vulnerability that exists in this book. Jeff’s poetic and lyrical words cut through you deep to your core. Hauntingly gorgeous glimpse of life and pain and becoming whom you truly are which embraces all whom you love, where you’re from, and the truths you’ve lived.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual assault
Blade Runner 2029 Vol. 1 by Mike Johnson
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Really gritty and perfect for the feel of the Blade Runner universe. Loved this new intro and storyline, the replicant love interest, the underground world where the replicants are free, and the Blade Runner who has mixed morals, saving/freeing some replicants, and killing others. The whole volume really works well together and it does end on cliffy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, and Grief
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.5
What a soft, sweet, contemporary queer read! This book while definitely being about a really sweet first love, rivals to lovers to be exact, and between a Bengali Muslim girl and a Black & Portuguese girl living in Ireland, it also hit hard at topics like bullying, coming out, racism, and cultural appropriation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Islamophobia, and Cultural appropriation
Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a sweet summery romance that has retelling Grease vibes and a summer vs fall romances! Really cool realistic bi-rep.
Sasha Masha by Agnes Borinsky
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very much a slice of life, queer story about trying to understand who you are and what it can be like to discover all your truths within a few weeks.
Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was an intense read, I kind of enjoy the revenge fantasy of it all, but also it is a lot of trauma, so be sure to check CWs to read safely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, and Alcohol
Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Solid sequel, and that cliffhanger...sweet baby llamas!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Violence, and Grief
The Fell of Dark by Caleb Roehrig
adventurous
dark
funny
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? No
5.0
THIS BOOK IS SO GREAT! Paranormal queer books FTW!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Torture, and Blood
Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think a lot of the teens navigating the traumas of high school, especially the queer outcasts, may really connect with this story. It was a nice refreshing, very real and actually cute read.
I say high school but this one is actually set during the summer between two age sets of kids, some of the seniors who just graduated, and the soon to be upperclassmen. It really felt so summer, and so coming of age. Highly recommend.
I say high school but this one is actually set during the summer between two age sets of kids, some of the seniors who just graduated, and the soon to be upperclassmen. It really felt so summer, and so coming of age. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug use and Homophobia
Lucky Girl by Jamie Pacton
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fast-paced, fun read. Full of hopeful moments of processing grief, and living with someone who is not dealing with their grief well and starts down an unhealthy path. I really loved that the characters were lower/middle class and these struggles directly related to how winning a large sum of money can be dangerous as well as life-changing. So many YA stories are all upper class kids and towns and this one wasn't, which makes sense too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying and Emotional abuse