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cosmicwillow's reviews
629 reviews
Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
2.0
i really wanted to like this more! lacour’s prose was stunning as always, but i just couldn’t connect with any of the characters and i found the pacing to be off. i like the meaning of this, but it sadly just didn’t connect for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood and Vomit
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
wow. this was heart wrenching but truly beautiful. the way lacour captures grief, especially the kind of grief following a suicide, is stunning and visceral.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child death and Homophobia
Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
2.5
this was a very weird sequel. i don’t really think it needs to exist, like the key themes in this could have been written into the first book; it just would’ve been a longer and for expansive story. like this wasn’t bad but it doesn’t have anywhere close to the impact and meaning that the first book does, regardless of the real and heavy-hitting topics this book deals with. also the random misgendering was weird and gross. i have no idea why it was put in bc it completely contradicts ari’s character. really pissed me off actually. idk this was super disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
this was a gorgeous story about grief and family. really lovely look at how complex our lives can be, and how we love each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.0
this was a fun and interesting fantasy to dive into! the story itself wasn’t super unique or mind blowing, but i enjoyed the book and the world. i would definitely be interested in checking out the other books in this universe!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Torture, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this was fine. i honestly sadly didn’t find this very captivating, though i really wanted to like it more. i think if the book was from wren’s pov it would have been far more interesting. lei just felt pretty flat as a character, with little to define her. the world and lore is very cool though, so kudos to the author for that. i just wish i found it more compelling! i have no desire to even read the next two books to see what happens; i did not form a connection to these characters at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Vomit and Lesbophobia
Sadie by Courtney Summers
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
wow. this was gripping and so so heartbreaking. i actually really liked the ending because it made the story all the more real. not everything needs to be a completely happy ending. in real life, it usually isnt. i think the important thing is that sadie got her peace by (somewhat inadvertently) killing her abuser and her sister’s murderer, and the abuser of so many other girls. highly recommend listening to the audiobook version, too. very evocative considering the way summers tells this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction and Child abuse
Minor: Vomit
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
challenging
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
this was breathtaking. utterly gripping and intense, this book wouldn’t leave my mind even when i had to put it down. the writing was so good, too, and i just loved every aspect of this. it would make a spectacular a24 film too. highly highly recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Racism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Vomit, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse
American Street by Ibi Zoboi
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
this was so powerful. really emotional and tells a brutally real story with such a bittersweet ending. very powerful commentary on america and what the corruption and horror of it’s systems can drive people to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, and Alcohol
The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
whew this book deals with a lot of really tough and real topics that aren’t normally touched on to this extent in ya. i really enjoyed it, though jordan did annoy me a ton many times. and god i wanted to punch his mom lol. i know she’s sick and is struggling with addiction but god she infuriated me. and honestly the whole food truck aspect was pretty unrealistic with the money making part, but overall i did really enjoy this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Medical content