jjvaldezbooks's reviews
302 reviews

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell

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slow-paced

2.0

like half these studies have been debunked. I read this for worldbuilding ideas, as recommended by NK Jemison, but I'm here to recommend you just read a summary instead

I will admit the chapter about children's television was really interesting, but maybe just because I work in education
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.75

reads a little young for an adult fantasy but it was so charming and wonderful otherwise. flowery language that would fit right into the lyrics of a Spanish love song. an excellent dip into Mayan mythos without digging so deep as to confuse.
Jade City by Fonda Lee

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

vibes weren't for me. objectively good political storytelling I think but it just felt too long. loved Andy though. he's just doin his best
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko

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dark hopeful 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

4.5

pacing is a little weird and some of the themes are wielded more like clubs than daggers but otherwise basically a perfect story. invaded my brain and captured my heart in a way that I forgot was possible. 
the pinnacle of worldbuilding and Queen of a large cast story. I would read a version that was double this length with no complaints
The Modern Art of Brujería: A Beginner's Guide to Spellcraft, Medicine Making, and Other Traditions of the Global South by Lou Florez

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informative slow-paced

2.5

it hopped back and forth between assuming I knew nothing about brujería and a strong familiarity with customs. mostly because this is filled with prayers, ingredient descriptions, and instructions for creating many different versions of possibly helpful perfumes and agua floridas-- there's not a lot of room for explaining the practice outside of these specific spells. would be much more useful with a mentor to go to, if you were actually interested in becoming a practicing bruja. 
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

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adventurous dark tense 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

2.75

kinda lore dumpy but usually well written enough to look past. interesting mythology to dig into. compelling characters and realistic relationships and politics in a way that drives you mad (endearing). too many time skips, though. and unfortunately, a kinda frustrating ending -- some things wrapped up too easily, and too cliffhanger-y for the first book in a series for my taste.
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.5

how dare my library not have the sequel 

the lore, the magic, a large cast that doesn't need multi pov to matter to me! incredible all around! 

only tiny issue was that the main character is a little too perfect besides her curse. wish we'd explored more of her internal work that wasn't to do with The Lady. but I recognize that I'm alone in wanting to add 50 extra pages to good books that are already lore heavy 
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

best of the series
Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

this book knew what it was more than the first one and I appreciated that
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

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adventurous tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

compelling idea, promising world, diverse cast, but pace was all over the place, too much telling/not showing, magic "recoil" system made sense for everyone but the super special MC