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ellornaslibrary's reviews
516 reviews
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
An emotionally gripping yet cozy read. . .
Just as beautiful on re-reading as the first time. Nghi Vo writes with such captivating skill that is brought to life even more by Cindy Kay. This first book made me a fan, and has led to my love of The Singing Hills Cycle. The method chosen for these books - of having a story being told by and to the cleric Chi who is akin to a storyteller or bard - is not like any others I've read. Each story told is captivating yet Chi themselves, as well as Almost Brilliant, are such well-developed characters even in this first installment which is still one of my top favorite reads. My other favorite element is that the story in this book isn't about who one would expect it to be. I will always recommend these books to people like nonstop.
Just as beautiful on re-reading as the first time. Nghi Vo writes with such captivating skill that is brought to life even more by Cindy Kay. This first book made me a fan, and has led to my love of The Singing Hills Cycle. The method chosen for these books - of having a story being told by and to the cleric Chi who is akin to a storyteller or bard - is not like any others I've read. Each story told is captivating yet Chi themselves, as well as Almost Brilliant, are such well-developed characters even in this first installment which is still one of my top favorite reads. My other favorite element is that the story in this book isn't about who one would expect it to be. I will always recommend these books to people like nonstop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Grief, War, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death and Slavery
Please note there is a character in this story who is forced to undergo sterilization. As there isn't a warning option to this effect, I chose medical content as a substitute, but am putting this here as an added precaution.
Isola, Vol 1 by Brenden Fletcher
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
St. Valentine, St. Abigail, St. Brigid by C.L. Polk
emotional
hopeful
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? No
3.0
Love in the Air by Mariah Ankenman
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Grief
Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I definitely want to return to this later to attempt a better review, but for now I'll say:
I cannot adequately put into words how powerful this book's message is for people everywhere or how exquisitely written it is either. I have so many feelings about this beautiful, heart-wrenching story. This is going to be a book that lives in my head rent free. I'm going to recommend it to everyone cause I feel like it is a truly underrated book and more people need to read it.
I cannot adequately put into words how powerful this book's message is for people everywhere or how exquisitely written it is either. I have so many feelings about this beautiful, heart-wrenching story. This is going to be a book that lives in my head rent free. I'm going to recommend it to everyone cause I feel like it is a truly underrated book and more people need to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Slavery, and Colonisation
If you have issues regarding drowning or have aquaphobia or thalassaphobia, and choose to read this book, I recommend that you take any necessary steps to protect your emotional well-being ahead of time by preparing yourself as best as possible. It can be. . . a lot even if you don't have issues(I, myself, do not) so I wanted to warn people.
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation
This book discusses the mission helping Indigenous peoples in a way that I cannot say whether it's accurate or inaccurate. If anyone knows anything untoward and contradictory you should definitely add it in a review along with any other content warnings that are necessary.
The Journey of Clementine by Alessandro Montagnana, Alessandro Montagnana
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet little book about a Firefly named Clementine that doesn't know what she is and is lost, and a little girl who helps her find her way. It is a cute little read accompanied by beautiful art that'd be a nice, comforting bedtime read for a little one. While I enjoyed it though, I will say that my only issues were a.) it doesn't tell you what type of bug Clementine is by the end of the book and b.) the art can be a little too dark in some spots so Clementine's glow doesn't stand out as well as it should. However, I would say those are small things in the grand scheme and doesn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the book. If you have a little one that likes reading stories with bugs and/ore fireflies in general, I'd suggest picking up this one.
This is a sweet little book about a Firefly named Clementine that doesn't know what she is and is lost, and a little girl who helps her find her way. It is a cute little read accompanied by beautiful art that'd be a nice, comforting bedtime read for a little one. While I enjoyed it though, I will say that my only issues were a.) it doesn't tell you what type of bug Clementine is by the end of the book and b.) the art can be a little too dark in some spots so Clementine's glow doesn't stand out as well as it should. However, I would say those are small things in the grand scheme and doesn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the book. If you have a little one that likes reading stories with bugs and/ore fireflies in general, I'd suggest picking up this one.
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Dementia
It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Vomit, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Alcohol