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bookcrushin's reviews
275 reviews
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
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
4.5
this is a book that grabs you right by the heart and squeezes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault and Stalking
Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule
adventurous
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
WOW! Loved this new introduction to the world of Star Wars set way before all the canon we already know about. It's such a unique way to expand and learn so much about the Jedi!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was an interesting way to tell a short story but also get a glimpse into the mind of Cardan. I liked how it weaved the present with the past and how stories help Cardan grow.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Infidelity, and Violence
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is an emotional and dark retelling of Peter Pan that will have you processing grief right alongside Wendy Darling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Gun violence, Blood, and Car accident
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have been wanting to read this book for so long, long before it was even released...but 2020 destroyed my attention span and I just couldn't consume any fantasy. I still haven't conquered any deep epic fantasy, but since this is a contemporary fantasy (set in the modern world, but with magical elements, and added demons etc) I managed to read this one! I am so glad because I love the camelot and aurthurian legend retellings and Legendborn doesn't disappoint. So fun, very fast-paced, and the real life scenarios are also just perfect.
Highly recommend
Highly recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, and Death of parent
Crownchasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was definitely entertained, i will definitely be reading Thronebreakers and i do enjoy a fast paced sci-fi adventure and this sure was an adventure!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, and Death of parent
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
absolutely loved this one, lots of hollywood stakes, and slow burn while learning to admit feelings... ahhh I loved it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre by Robin Talley
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very sweet, fun, and also a lot theater involved. I really liked that it was deeply rooted in the theater aspect because I love reading about stuff that interests me and also it was still a bit much sometimes. Theater nerds this is the book you've been waiting for!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Vomit
The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
The Electric Kingdom is a deeply character driven, interwoven tale of survival, family, and the importance of stories. This book is a mind expanding work of fiction that just must be experienced. The words, phrases, and references were all to be consumed and tasted and stewed upon. This book is a total experience and I don't know how else to explain it.
This is a post-apocalyptic, pandemic story that weaves us through the experiences of a few teenagers, who set off looking for a better chance of survival and maybe ultimately their destiny. Yes, it is a pandemic story, yes there is graphic imagery, but ultimately I found myself clinging to the hope in the pages, the love and the pureness of our main characters.
There are 3 main POVs and you experience the story through each of their experiences. At many points they intersect and I absolutely love how the story was laid out for the reader to grab little crumbs of the past, present, and future. This is a book to pay attention to details, because knowing them as you progress really ties in the whole aspect of this world and what it means. The payoff of the ending is worth the journey. I took my time reading this one because a lot is happening and I wanted to keep the feeling of not knowing for as long as I could, then around 80% it was finish and be enlightened as fast as possible!
Let's be clear, this book is dark, grim, and a reflection of society and what truly matters...? It's weird and brilliant and references so many fun aspects of sci-fi, literature, and again the importance of stories, whether verbally passed down, or read from books, or journaling one's own experiences. I literally said when I finished, I need to buy a journal. Our lives matter, and maybe one day in the future, my journal may give insights to those reflecting back.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction, sci-fi, and character driven stories - if I directly mention other books it could very well spoil the reading experience.
This is a post-apocalyptic, pandemic story that weaves us through the experiences of a few teenagers, who set off looking for a better chance of survival and maybe ultimately their destiny. Yes, it is a pandemic story, yes there is graphic imagery, but ultimately I found myself clinging to the hope in the pages, the love and the pureness of our main characters.
There are 3 main POVs and you experience the story through each of their experiences. At many points they intersect and I absolutely love how the story was laid out for the reader to grab little crumbs of the past, present, and future. This is a book to pay attention to details, because knowing them as you progress really ties in the whole aspect of this world and what it means. The payoff of the ending is worth the journey. I took my time reading this one because a lot is happening and I wanted to keep the feeling of not knowing for as long as I could, then around 80% it was finish and be enlightened as fast as possible!
Let's be clear, this book is dark, grim, and a reflection of society and what truly matters...? It's weird and brilliant and references so many fun aspects of sci-fi, literature, and again the importance of stories, whether verbally passed down, or read from books, or journaling one's own experiences. I literally said when I finished, I need to buy a journal. Our lives matter, and maybe one day in the future, my journal may give insights to those reflecting back.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction, sci-fi, and character driven stories - if I directly mention other books it could very well spoil the reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Medical content, and Dementia
pandemic, Harry Potter mentions