libraryalissa's reviews
1421 reviews

The Pale Queen by Ethan M. Aldridge

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adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Weyward by Emilia Hart

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

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dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Just brilliant. Jo is one of the best developed characters I have come across. The mystery aspect is very well done. The writing is top notch. The friendships are real. The themes of trauma, toxic masculinity, sexual assault, etc. are dealt with honestly and unflinching. Would highly recommend this to high schoolers. 
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was not tracking with what was going on for the majority of this book and never got attached to the story or characters. But there is some unique stuff going on and if you like YA and zombies and magic, you’ll probably like it. 
The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Anti-colonialist heist in space! I’ll read anything this author writes. 
The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

These books are just really good. There’s something about them all being part of one unified cohesive storyline that I really love. Such a special series. 
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I’m not usually a mystery girlie, but this was a fun romp with an exciting protagonist, good writing, atmospheric setting, and an unpredictable story.
Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho

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

3.0

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

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emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Biggest disappointment of the year. I just… didn’t believe their whole dynamic, especially with the fact that ONE OF THEM LEFT THE OTHER AT THE ALTAR THEN CONTINUES TO BE AN ASSHOLE. And we’re supposed to believe that the one left should feel guilty about… being kind of cold now and “not really seeing” her partner back then? Also the way I cringed every time she made the Black best friend say “baby girl” which was many, many times. Hopeful for the next AHB, but this one was not it.

3 stars for the vibes and making me feel feelings, regardless of what they were.