Scan barcode
jaedyn's reviews
411 reviews
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed this book so much that I resent writing this review because it is keeping me from the sequel.
The writing + Worldbuilding
Caraval was a lot of fun. The writing was easy to read, and the descriptions were vivid. As I read, Caraval and all the performers came to life, and I was fully invested in the world. My favorite descriptions by far were of the magical dress that Scarlett wears!
I wouldn’t call the writing whimsical—which is what I was hoping for—but instead, the world, plot, and magic lean towards the mysterious and dangerous, which is not a negative at all.
The Characters
The story is told solely from Scarlett’s perspective. While Scarlett did grow on me, she was consistently annoying and often an idiot. I fear she is the epitome of the eldest sister, and while I resent how much I relate to her, I hope that if I were ever put into Caraval (please, God), I would not be as silly as she was.
The love interest within this book was so fascinating. The relationship you build with him as a reader is interesting because you want to trust him, but can you? Do I want to?? He is another take on the snarky but charming MMC with a broody backstory, but I’m not complaining
The cast of characters who play and perform within the game bring the story to life! My personal favorite is Nigel (which is also my cat's name)
The Story
It took me a second to get into the story, but once I did, I flew through! I think the initial friction came because I knew that Scarlett and I wouldn't get on, however she did grow on me.
I loved that this was openly a mystery. I trusted no one and nothing that I read. I couldn’t even tell if Scarlett was an unreliable narrator because I was an unreliable reader. Whenever I thought one thing, the story went in a different direction. The only times I guessed correctly were when Garber deliberately set things up, just to stab me in the heart later.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, I loved it! I am itching to get to the next book, which is why this review is so all over the place; I have been rushing to write it so I can continue my read-through.
The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Summary of review:
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story was whimsical and exciting, and the ensemble of characters was so lovable it hurt.
If you enjoy uncanny fae, riddles, strong female friend groups, soft love interests, and alternative universe Londons, this is the book for you!
The world and writing:
Smith’s prose is easy to read, making this the perfect book if you want to sit back and enjoy a gripping and romantic story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the social structure and how the world was set up. However, don’t think too hard about it or it may start to crumble; but you could argue that about all fantasy.
I will say, though, that this book did feel like an American writing a romanticized version of England, which I found out it was. I don’t think you could find a Brit who would write a story about an upper-class protagonist trying to overthrow the Queen and country for the sake of equality. Nevertheless, I ate it up!
One thing I adored about this book is how it got darker and darker as it progressed. The Fae queen’s mannerisms became more uncanny as more was revealed about how the bargains work. I think we have been craving uncanny, horror-like fae and the publishing world is picking up on that!
Whilst there was little that I didn’t enjoy about this book, some of Smith’s writing felt a bit too modern, which took me out of the story. The turn of phrases felt removed from the period but this could be because Smith is American and I picked up on that! But this is just me being nit-picky.
Onto the characters:
I really enjoyed Ivy, she was a solid protagonist to carry you through the story, however, I wish that her relationship with the other characters was a bit stronger. The book is structured so that every few chapters you get the POV of another girl who is competing, and I feel like these were necessary to flesh out the characters, who would have fallen flat otherwise.
Additionally, I would have enjoyed more interactions between Ivy and her love interests! A couple more chapters would have hit the spot.
Her love interests are adorably sweet! Even the “bad boy” read as charming and soft-hearted. I enjoyed this change of pace from the usual fae brutes we read about.
What I loved most about the ensemble cast was the fact that we had solid relationships between the female characters! We follow Ivy alongside 5 other girls within the competition, who build relationships as the trials continue. This was such a change of pace as I was fully expecting some 2012 girl-on-girl hatred and I was happily proven wrong.
One thing I will note is that within the group there was a woman of color who was also queer. Whilst of course there is nothing wrong with this, this is something I have noticed within books by white authors; they will group the marginalized communities into one character. Notably, there are two WOC and two queer women within the competitors, and I don’t want to erase that here. My statement is more of a discussion that needs to be had about the publishing industry as a whole.
Overall, the author did manage to balance a massive cast incredibly well with limited POV changes. I for one have POV fatigue and was glad to have the majority of the book from Ivy’s perspective (although I think that might change a little in book two).
The Story
Before the book begins, Smith writes a note to the readers explaining how this book came to be during a tough time in her life. I’m not sure if this author’s note will be in the final copies of the book, however, it added to my experience.
The story is indulgent, whimsical, and romantic. It’s not earth-shattering or world-view-changing, but it takes the reader on a fairytale journey that is exciting nonetheless. The plot was semi-predictable but I was hooked. Frankly, it has been a while since I read a book that was this fun!
Conclusion:
I massively enjoyed this book and even stayed up through the night to complete it! The turn the book made was exciting and I can’t wait to read the next one!!!
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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 really enjoyed this graphic novel!
Honestly, going in, I didn’t realise it was sapphic, but I would have picked it up way sooner if I had known.
This is a beautifully illustrated and written story about navigating heartbreak and friendship as a young queer person.
The characters are complex and messy, and it just feels like the kind of coming of age movie I would have devoured when I was 17.
Honestly, going in, I didn’t realise it was sapphic, but I would have picked it up way sooner if I had known.
This is a beautifully illustrated and written story about navigating heartbreak and friendship as a young queer person.
The characters are complex and messy, and it just feels like the kind of coming of age movie I would have devoured when I was 17.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Abortion
The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.
Unfortunately, after 11 months of “reading”, I am throwing in the towel with this one!
It fell out of my reading rotation in feb, and when I tried to pick it back up again, I didn’t gel with the writing and I had forgotten the plot!
I will be picking up the authors future books though! I think this was just too sci-fi for me
It fell out of my reading rotation in feb, and when I tried to pick it back up again, I didn’t gel with the writing and I had forgotten the plot!
I will be picking up the authors future books though! I think this was just too sci-fi for me
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
I love this book
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Being Merry by Meka James
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Being Merry is a Sapphic christmas romance about a Christmas born and obsessed Noelle, moving in with the grinch, AKA, Lennox.
It was a quick read with a fast paced romance that didn’t allow much time for character development or for me to form any strong attachments to either FMC, but such is the issue with novellas. I really enjoyed Noelle’s upbeat energy, however Lennox was majorly grumpy and there deffo should have been more grovelling and asking for forgiveness before anything romantic started being explored. However, as this book is literally 98 pages, I understand the limitations to character exploration!
Still, it was fun and what I was looking for whilst having a bad night sleep and needed something easy to read (I am currently reading Babel and that requires more brain power than a 3am reading sprint provides).
It was a quick read with a fast paced romance that didn’t allow much time for character development or for me to form any strong attachments to either FMC, but such is the issue with novellas. I really enjoyed Noelle’s upbeat energy, however Lennox was majorly grumpy and there deffo should have been more grovelling and asking for forgiveness before anything romantic started being explored. However, as this book is literally 98 pages, I understand the limitations to character exploration!
Still, it was fun and what I was looking for whilst having a bad night sleep and needed something easy to read (I am currently reading Babel and that requires more brain power than a 3am reading sprint provides).
In The Weeds by B.K. Borison
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75