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luluwoohoo's reviews
470 reviews
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
☀️☀️☀️☀️🌥️
A haunting piece of dystopian speculative fiction that quietly burrows to the heart of humanity in less than 200 pages.
This book is, unsurprisingly, dark and mysterious and hopeless. But it is also reflective and inspiring and, weirdly, hopeful too. Our unnamed narrator views the beauty of the natural and man-made world through her unique lens, highlighting the parts of us that cannot be dimmed even through a lifetime of oppression and hardship. There is never any chance of the ending we crave, but still that seed of doubt lingers throughout the entire story, unable to be ignored, which is the essence of what this book represents.
The practical, sparse prose suits this simple and harrowing story. Nothing is glorified or magnified, mostly due to the matter-of-fact nature of our narrator, meaning that the emotional throughline wasn't obvious at the beginning. The first half was interesting but I can't say I was emotionally engaged until the final third, which snuck up on me and surprised me at the impact it suddenly had.
Harpman has crafted a remarkable world in such a short novel, one that is ruthlessly explored but no clearer by the end. This could disappoint, and it does, but it also paints a vivid picture of the human spirit and how it functions even without anyone else to engage with. It is a powerful story that shouldn't be ignored.
☀️☀️☀️☀️🌥️
A haunting piece of dystopian speculative fiction that quietly burrows to the heart of humanity in less than 200 pages.
This book is, unsurprisingly, dark and mysterious and hopeless. But it is also reflective and inspiring and, weirdly, hopeful too. Our unnamed narrator views the beauty of the natural and man-made world through her unique lens, highlighting the parts of us that cannot be dimmed even through a lifetime of oppression and hardship. There is never any chance of the ending we crave, but still that seed of doubt lingers throughout the entire story, unable to be ignored, which is the essence of what this book represents.
The practical, sparse prose suits this simple and harrowing story. Nothing is glorified or magnified, mostly due to the matter-of-fact nature of our narrator, meaning that the emotional throughline wasn't obvious at the beginning. The first half was interesting but I can't say I was emotionally engaged until the final third, which snuck up on me and surprised me at the impact it suddenly had.
Harpman has crafted a remarkable world in such a short novel, one that is ruthlessly explored but no clearer by the end. This could disappoint, and it does, but it also paints a vivid picture of the human spirit and how it functions even without anyone else to engage with. It is a powerful story that shouldn't be ignored.
"Perhaps you never have time when you are alone? You only acquire it by watching it go by in others."
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
☀️☀️☀️🌤️
This lighthearted romantic romp, which is actually the first novel written by Markse, does a lot of fun stuff but doesn't quite stick the landing like her later work does.
Firstly, this story barely touches the edges of fantasy as I think of it, so dubbing it a 'romantasy' feels disingenuous. Perhaps that's why I felt cheated by the vast amount of worldbuilding thrown out initially, given that it was relevant but not especially interesting or difficult to follow. There was a bit too much info-dumping on cultural customs and wool-based facts early on which made the beginning a struggle to hook into, particularly in combination with the progression of the romance which somehow felt rushed but also slow? I can't explain it. Their dynamic was always fun and definitely improved once they acknowledged wanting each other, but initially I wasn't buying into the insta-lust as much.
Both Matti and Luca are well developed as characters. I appreciated their very realistic neuroses and how their familial obligations linked them thematically as well as socially. I don't think that the secret held back for so long between them needed to break everything, but the ending was satisfying enough to allow it. The banter was enjoyable not only between them but also with Sofia and Maya, who are both awesome characters in their own right.
The plot was relatively simple and handled well given its predictability. I would have preferred a snappier second act, which dragged and became a little repetitive in its need to build upon the relationship and pass time, but the third act definitely brought it all home.
I enjoyed this as an amusing historical romance, but given my love of Marske's Last Binding trilogy, I just didn't love this the way I'd hoped I would. It's by no means a bad book, but her work has improved significantly between this and the series.
☀️☀️☀️🌤️
This lighthearted romantic romp, which is actually the first novel written by Markse, does a lot of fun stuff but doesn't quite stick the landing like her later work does.
Firstly, this story barely touches the edges of fantasy as I think of it, so dubbing it a 'romantasy' feels disingenuous. Perhaps that's why I felt cheated by the vast amount of worldbuilding thrown out initially, given that it was relevant but not especially interesting or difficult to follow. There was a bit too much info-dumping on cultural customs and wool-based facts early on which made the beginning a struggle to hook into, particularly in combination with the progression of the romance which somehow felt rushed but also slow? I can't explain it. Their dynamic was always fun and definitely improved once they acknowledged wanting each other, but initially I wasn't buying into the insta-lust as much.
Both Matti and Luca are well developed as characters. I appreciated their very realistic neuroses and how their familial obligations linked them thematically as well as socially. I don't think that the secret held back for so long between them needed to break everything, but the ending was satisfying enough to allow it. The banter was enjoyable not only between them but also with Sofia and Maya, who are both awesome characters in their own right.
The plot was relatively simple and handled well given its predictability. I would have preferred a snappier second act, which dragged and became a little repetitive in its need to build upon the relationship and pass time, but the third act definitely brought it all home.
I enjoyed this as an amusing historical romance, but given my love of Marske's Last Binding trilogy, I just didn't love this the way I'd hoped I would. It's by no means a bad book, but her work has improved significantly between this and the series.
"He'd felt that there was nothing disappointing at all about the chance to sit there, on a narrow bed in a rented room, with Luca Piere asleep in his lap, for the long bittersweet hour before he surrendered to the reality of his life and crept out of the boardinghouse."
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
☀️☀️⛅
A challenging non-fiction which tries to tackle everything and ends up achieving very little for its efforts.
I struggled a lot with this book, as it seems to defy categorisation. It's not a memoir, nor is it self-help, but it's somehow both lumped together in a style that doesn't really suit me. I was initially thrilled by the concept of so many short chapters/essays but after the first part they began to feel incredibly disjointed and unfinished. A lot of important topics were hit on but not in enough depth to appreciate, and rarely did Doyle contribute anything new or interesting to those conversations. The memoir portions were more interesting but often verged on self-righteous and preachy. The 'message' of some chapters contradicted the message of others, so in the end I struggled to understand the overall point of the book itself.
Doyle's writing is nice and easy to follow despite the structure of the book making things more difficult. There are certainly some wonderful insights and quotes I could take away from it, and the mantra of listening to and knowing yourself is valuable, but overall I found it more of a chore to complete.
I'm sure plenty of people would get more from this than I have, but unfortunately this is not a book for me.
☀️☀️⛅
A challenging non-fiction which tries to tackle everything and ends up achieving very little for its efforts.
I struggled a lot with this book, as it seems to defy categorisation. It's not a memoir, nor is it self-help, but it's somehow both lumped together in a style that doesn't really suit me. I was initially thrilled by the concept of so many short chapters/essays but after the first part they began to feel incredibly disjointed and unfinished. A lot of important topics were hit on but not in enough depth to appreciate, and rarely did Doyle contribute anything new or interesting to those conversations. The memoir portions were more interesting but often verged on self-righteous and preachy. The 'message' of some chapters contradicted the message of others, so in the end I struggled to understand the overall point of the book itself.
Doyle's writing is nice and easy to follow despite the structure of the book making things more difficult. There are certainly some wonderful insights and quotes I could take away from it, and the mantra of listening to and knowing yourself is valuable, but overall I found it more of a chore to complete.
I'm sure plenty of people would get more from this than I have, but unfortunately this is not a book for me.
"Let's conjure up, from the depths of our souls:
The truest, most beautiful lives we can imagine.
The truest, most beautiful families we can fathom.
The truest, most beautiful world we can hope for.
Let's put it all on paper.
Let's look at what we've written and decide that these are not pipe dreams; these are our matching orders. They are the blueprints for our lives, our families, and the world.
May the invisible order become visible.
May our dreams become our plans."
The Binding by Bridget Collins
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Binding by Bridget Collins (audiobook narrated by Carl Prekopp)
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
A dark and mysterious tale which combines the very best aspects of magical realism to forge a powerful, impactful story.
The opening third of this novel was purposefully slow and vague, which could have worked against it, but it eventually built up pace and became a story I was desperate to read more of! The finer details regarding binding weren't explored which might have annoyed me if I wasn't already familiar with Collins's style, but I also believe it works just fine in a character driven story like this to disregard the technicalities in favour of focusing on the relationship at the story's heart.
Emmett and Lucian were both rich, interesting characters to live inside of. Their relationship provided an excellent way of exploring the class divide in this ambiguously set historical romance. I also loved Seraphin and Alta and would have enjoyed more time with them, though the focus stayed rightly where it should be.
Having already read another of Collins's books, I knew her to be a more than competent writer. She lives up to that memory and pushes beyond it with this novel. The prose is lovely (though I noticed sooo many similes) in the way it focuses so significantly on worldbuilding without sacrificing the impact these elements have on character, particularly coming from a first person perspective. I would have liked the two perspectives to read a little different (Prekopp did a fantastic job of distinguishing them), but overall it was a joy to listen to.
This book is a triumph of mood setting. From the very beginning I trusted that the journey would be worth it and I wasn't disappointed.
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
A dark and mysterious tale which combines the very best aspects of magical realism to forge a powerful, impactful story.
The opening third of this novel was purposefully slow and vague, which could have worked against it, but it eventually built up pace and became a story I was desperate to read more of! The finer details regarding binding weren't explored which might have annoyed me if I wasn't already familiar with Collins's style, but I also believe it works just fine in a character driven story like this to disregard the technicalities in favour of focusing on the relationship at the story's heart.
Emmett and Lucian were both rich, interesting characters to live inside of. Their relationship provided an excellent way of exploring the class divide in this ambiguously set historical romance. I also loved Seraphin and Alta and would have enjoyed more time with them, though the focus stayed rightly where it should be.
Having already read another of Collins's books, I knew her to be a more than competent writer. She lives up to that memory and pushes beyond it with this novel. The prose is lovely (though I noticed sooo many similes) in the way it focuses so significantly on worldbuilding without sacrificing the impact these elements have on character, particularly coming from a first person perspective. I would have liked the two perspectives to read a little different (Prekopp did a fantastic job of distinguishing them), but overall it was a joy to listen to.
This book is a triumph of mood setting. From the very beginning I trusted that the journey would be worth it and I wasn't disappointed.
"I felt strange. But not sick, exactly. And not afraid. It's as if something inside me was waking up and moving. The looping grain of the bench in front of me was like a map of somewhere I used to know."
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
☀️☀️☀️☀️
Happy Trans Awareness Week! This graphic novel-style memoir paints a realistic, complicated and ever-changing picture of gender exploration and self-discovery (literally and figuratively!)
Kobabe pushes a lot of boundaries with this book, which blends the accessible style of comic writing with the detailed and sometimes brutal reality of, well, reality. As a journey from childhood into adulthood, we're exposed to the complex and confusing internal exploration faced by so many people via Maia's own story, not just regarding gender but also sexuality and overall identity. Having progressive parents and family didn't always make the journey any easier but it's nice to see the emphasis on family support where a lot of times this isn't present, as well as the broader queer community.
The art is lovely and I appreciate having it in colour rather than black and white, particularly when referencing mensuration. I didn't find the 'graphic' sections overtly so, which is a source of criticism for many, and I actually think they added significantly to the authenticity of this work. My favourite sections went into detail on the overthinking that inevitably happens when Kobabe is anxious about addressing their identity and pronoun usage, which isn't something I've specifically gone through but feels really relatable as a chronic overthinker!
This is a truly wonderful, unique, informative and inspiring book that has no place being on the banned book list. Kobabe courageously shares thoughts, experiences and knowledge that should be common but sadly aren't, so I hope this book goes a long way to informing the cis community while also validating queer and trans folk!
☀️☀️☀️☀️
Happy Trans Awareness Week! This graphic novel-style memoir paints a realistic, complicated and ever-changing picture of gender exploration and self-discovery (literally and figuratively!)
Kobabe pushes a lot of boundaries with this book, which blends the accessible style of comic writing with the detailed and sometimes brutal reality of, well, reality. As a journey from childhood into adulthood, we're exposed to the complex and confusing internal exploration faced by so many people via Maia's own story, not just regarding gender but also sexuality and overall identity. Having progressive parents and family didn't always make the journey any easier but it's nice to see the emphasis on family support where a lot of times this isn't present, as well as the broader queer community.
The art is lovely and I appreciate having it in colour rather than black and white, particularly when referencing mensuration. I didn't find the 'graphic' sections overtly so, which is a source of criticism for many, and I actually think they added significantly to the authenticity of this work. My favourite sections went into detail on the overthinking that inevitably happens when Kobabe is anxious about addressing their identity and pronoun usage, which isn't something I've specifically gone through but feels really relatable as a chronic overthinker!
This is a truly wonderful, unique, informative and inspiring book that has no place being on the banned book list. Kobabe courageously shares thoughts, experiences and knowledge that should be common but sadly aren't, so I hope this book goes a long way to informing the cis community while also validating queer and trans folk!
"I began to think of gender less as a scale and more as a landscape.
Some people are born in the mountains, while others are born by the sea. Some people are happy to live in the place they were born, while others must make a journey to reach the climate in which they can flourish and grow.
Between the ocean and the mountains is a wild forest. That is where I want to make my home."
Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens
☀️☀️☀️🌥️
A fun and easy to read contemporary fantasy that is a good step forward for the author but still lacks in a few departments.
This is my favourite Lukens story so far. I found the tone much more consistent and relatable for the plot, with some humour throughout that didn't overpower the general vibe. The worldbuilding and magic system are a little too simple for my taste, with several obvious opportunities to flesh them out brushed over, but I didn't spot any significant holes there. We are encouraged to stretch the plausibility of their ability to outsmart the bad guys, and Rook's so-called 'genius' status, which is never ever displayed in any tangible way, both of which work against the realism of the story.
The relationship between Rook and Sun is nice and well paced for this type of genre, albeit very simple and predictable. The development of Antonia was also decent, but never giving us the full backstory of her previous apprentice did leave her feeling a bit two dimensional and therefore her connection with Rook sometimes felt forced.
This was a quick and enjoyable read that is Lukens' strongest book yet, but as someone who loves interesting magic systems and worldbuilding I can't bring myself to rate this much higher.
☀️☀️☀️🌥️
A fun and easy to read contemporary fantasy that is a good step forward for the author but still lacks in a few departments.
This is my favourite Lukens story so far. I found the tone much more consistent and relatable for the plot, with some humour throughout that didn't overpower the general vibe. The worldbuilding and magic system are a little too simple for my taste, with several obvious opportunities to flesh them out brushed over, but I didn't spot any significant holes there. We are encouraged to stretch the plausibility of their ability to outsmart the bad guys, and Rook's so-called 'genius' status, which is never ever displayed in any tangible way, both of which work against the realism of the story.
The relationship between Rook and Sun is nice and well paced for this type of genre, albeit very simple and predictable. The development of Antonia was also decent, but never giving us the full backstory of her previous apprentice did leave her feeling a bit two dimensional and therefore her connection with Rook sometimes felt forced.
This was a quick and enjoyable read that is Lukens' strongest book yet, but as someone who loves interesting magic systems and worldbuilding I can't bring myself to rate this much higher.
"Sometimes a family was a mischievous magical boss, her magical rival turned friend, a magical girl who used to be a babysitter and now was like an older sister, and the person you didn't understand in the beginning but liked so much now. And sometimes it was arguments and sometimes it was hugs and sometimes it was banding together to fight a morally corrupt government body and sometimes it was just existing in the same space together as friends."
Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
2.75
Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter
☀️☀️🌤️
An informative memoir with a disti ctive voice that was fun to read but likely won't stay with me.
Structurally this memoir was a bit all over the place. I don't mind non-linear timelines but the balance between flashforwards to the modern day and the chapters detailing his past was difficult to grasp.
The confidence Billy displays in real life is so inspiring, but in book form and without significant editing it begins to come across as arrogance. I don't doubt it's true that Porter was always championing himself and knew he'd be a star, but hearing it for the 10th time does start to irritate. There aren't many moments where he acknowledges being wrong or reassessing his perspective, but those were the most impactful of all because they showed his humanity.
My biggest gripe was the lack of depth exploring his personal life. There are absolutely dark and emotional times he explores here, but the vast majority of the book is recounting his professional career and the people who helped him get there, with very little time spent actually exploring his own arc and introspection of those moments beyond the surface level. This book became significantly more educational than motivational, which is a balance I prefer to be 50/50 in memoirs, because of this.
Billy Porter is an effervescent personality whose light shines bright in this book, but the lack of personal exploration left it feeling a bit more like a career summary than a memoir.
☀️☀️🌤️
An informative memoir with a disti ctive voice that was fun to read but likely won't stay with me.
Structurally this memoir was a bit all over the place. I don't mind non-linear timelines but the balance between flashforwards to the modern day and the chapters detailing his past was difficult to grasp.
The confidence Billy displays in real life is so inspiring, but in book form and without significant editing it begins to come across as arrogance. I don't doubt it's true that Porter was always championing himself and knew he'd be a star, but hearing it for the 10th time does start to irritate. There aren't many moments where he acknowledges being wrong or reassessing his perspective, but those were the most impactful of all because they showed his humanity.
My biggest gripe was the lack of depth exploring his personal life. There are absolutely dark and emotional times he explores here, but the vast majority of the book is recounting his professional career and the people who helped him get there, with very little time spent actually exploring his own arc and introspection of those moments beyond the surface level. This book became significantly more educational than motivational, which is a balance I prefer to be 50/50 in memoirs, because of this.
Billy Porter is an effervescent personality whose light shines bright in this book, but the lack of personal exploration left it feeling a bit more like a career summary than a memoir.
"If God loves us, and He made us in His own image, and He knows what we’re going to do before we do it, then why would He create someone He knows isn’t going to choose Him, only to send him to a burning hell for all eternity?"
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 9 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Witch Hat Atelier Volumes 7-9 by Kamome Shirahama
☀️☀️☀️☀️
This series only grows in maturity and complexity as it goes on, and I appreciate the darker themes explored throughout these volumes without losing the sense of hope and joy at its heart. Not just accepting the good and bad sides of magic at face value, we are shown the various shades in between through side characters whose importance increases, as well as integral players like Qifrey. Some supporting characters take a backseat to the changing plot but it never feels forced or awkward. I personally found volume 9 weaker in comparison but overall the story is progressing nicely and I'm eager to continue!
☀️☀️☀️☀️
This series only grows in maturity and complexity as it goes on, and I appreciate the darker themes explored throughout these volumes without losing the sense of hope and joy at its heart. Not just accepting the good and bad sides of magic at face value, we are shown the various shades in between through side characters whose importance increases, as well as integral players like Qifrey. Some supporting characters take a backseat to the changing plot but it never feels forced or awkward. I personally found volume 9 weaker in comparison but overall the story is progressing nicely and I'm eager to continue!
"That which cures any affliction...may as easily bestow it. It is my belief, Coco, that there should be a limit to what mortal hands can grasp. It is better for us that way."
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 7 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Witch Hat Atelier Volumes 7-9 by Kamome Shirahama
☀️☀️☀️☀️
This series only grows in maturity and complexity as it goes on, and I appreciate the darker themes explored throughout these volumes without losing the sense of hope and joy at its heart. Not just accepting the good and bad sides of magic at face value, we are shown the various shades in between through side characters whose importance increases, as well as integral players like Qifrey. Some supporting characters take a backseat to the changing plot but it never feels forced or awkward. I personally found volume 9 weaker in comparison but overall the story is progressing nicely and I'm eager to continue!
☀️☀️☀️☀️
This series only grows in maturity and complexity as it goes on, and I appreciate the darker themes explored throughout these volumes without losing the sense of hope and joy at its heart. Not just accepting the good and bad sides of magic at face value, we are shown the various shades in between through side characters whose importance increases, as well as integral players like Qifrey. Some supporting characters take a backseat to the changing plot but it never feels forced or awkward. I personally found volume 9 weaker in comparison but overall the story is progressing nicely and I'm eager to continue!
"That which cures any affliction...may as easily bestow it. It is my belief, Coco, that there should be a limit to what mortal hands can grasp. It is better for us that way."
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 8 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Witch Hat Atelier Volumes 7-9 by Kamome Shirahama
☀️☀️☀️☀️
This series only grows in maturity and complexity as it goes on, and I appreciate the darker themes explored throughout these volumes without losing the sense of hope and joy at its heart. Not just accepting the good and bad sides of magic at face value, we are shown the various shades in between through side characters whose importance increases, as well as integral players like Qifrey. Some supporting characters take a backseat to the changing plot but it never feels forced or awkward. I personally found volume 9 weaker in comparison but overall the story is progressing nicely and I'm eager to continue!
☀️☀️☀️☀️
This series only grows in maturity and complexity as it goes on, and I appreciate the darker themes explored throughout these volumes without losing the sense of hope and joy at its heart. Not just accepting the good and bad sides of magic at face value, we are shown the various shades in between through side characters whose importance increases, as well as integral players like Qifrey. Some supporting characters take a backseat to the changing plot but it never feels forced or awkward. I personally found volume 9 weaker in comparison but overall the story is progressing nicely and I'm eager to continue!
"That which cures any affliction...may as easily bestow it. It is my belief, Coco, that there should be a limit to what mortal hands can grasp. It is better for us that way."