kodi_rae's reviews
280 reviews

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An engaging and sad tale about the complexities of trauma and how it shows up within family dynamics. While I personally found the “reveal” to be a bit questionable and slightly unsatisfying, I was still throughly intrigued with each character and what would happen with them next. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

Magical realism meets the prison system makes for a beautiful, haunting, and deeply sad read. Though somehow there’s hope too, maybe?

While it’s not graphic in the traditional sense, take care and make sure to check the content warnings to get a sense of things.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution by Susan Stryker

Go to review page

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

An informative, concise, and incredibly researched history of transgender access and activism in the U.S. (mostly).
Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.0

Definitely, as many reviews state, a witchy, sapphic slow burn that will remind you a lot of The Great Gatsby (But also Practical Magic, in my opinion. Did anyone else get that vibe?). Even though the pacing was slow, I was still left wishing for some things (and characters behaviors/motives) to be flushed out more and some questions left unanswered. Maybe that’s the point or maybe it’s a sign of future, related books. At any rate, a really enjoyable, dark and sexy read. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi

Go to review page

dark emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Pros: I thought the characters were interesting, and the texting format was fun. Cons: I thought some of the dialogue tried a bit too hard or felt forced.

Also a note of warning that even though this seems like more of a romcom/breezy book, it deals with quite a lot of serious topics that I think could potentially be triggering.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Buttermilk Graffiti: A Chef's Journey to Discover America's New Melting-Pot Cuisine by Edward Lee

Go to review page

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Lee poses really interesting questions about authenticity, cultural appropriation, and how food connects people. It’s refreshing to read about these topics from someone who doesn’t have a background in the equity/diversity/inclusion (EDI) field and it works because of his sincerity and passion  for all that food represents. Lee is also a very personable narrator, often sharing about his own life experiences as well as open, honest, and willing to confront his own biases and missteps.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Dragon and Liberator by Timothy Zahn

Go to review page

adventurous dark inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

4.0

A satisfying end to the series though I felt some questions were wrapped up pretty quickly and could have been explored much further. Maybe the author intended to make a spin-off at one point?
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Dragon and Judge by Timothy Zahn

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense 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

4.0

Another exciting edition to this series. I really like the mystery elements added to this one and the two simultaneous narratives. I’m excited to see how the story will end. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Dragon and Herdsman by Timothy Zahn

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

Probably my favorite so far of the series - lots of added mysteries and a cliffhanger ending. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I saw another review use the word “bittersweet” and I think it’s a perfect description of this book. Deep sadness and loneliness paired with mystical wonder and tenderness. The ending did feel rushed a bit to me and I have some lingering questions, though I know that’s also the point.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings