mitzee's reviews
340 reviews

The Conference of the Birds by Ransom Riggs

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

4.0

Assuming anyone who read the previous books is reading this book review, another fun/good installment in the Peculiar Children series. The urgency of the threats still felt threatening. I think the way the children fight is starting to feel old.
For example, the way Jacob’s power seems very inconsistent sometimes it doesn’t work, sometimes it does but only if it’s absolutely needed.


It does seem like the end is setting up for the next though and I’m probably going to read it. 
We Run the Tides by Vendela Vida

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

3.5

An easy, quick read. This is the kind of book I felt like I would have hated as a younger girl because the actions of a lot of people in it really confuse me.
The pathological lying and the fact that it doesn’t end is annoying and triggering for me. I just have a hard time liking the story when characters are like this.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Just couldn’t get into it. I came off another DNF and this story didn’t grab me. I was hoping for more fantasy but it maybe took too long getting to that part?
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
I did not finish this book because of the same issues I had with the first installment of the series: the two primary characters are “in love” but there’s still no explanation as to why. One would think a centuries old vampire would have higher standards for a relationship. 
Then there’s the heavy emphasis on gender roles, that I personally find annoying. While I understand there are several story reasons why they may have to stick to those stereotypes, it’s not written in a way that implies the author doesn’t truly believe in them. 

I really wanted to like the series because of the strong fantasy elements but I can’t stand the other parts of it. 
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

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adventurous dark reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

3.75

As someone who has been reading a lot of queer and ethnically diverse fantasy and Sci-Fi lately, listening to this book felt like a splash of cold water. 

There’s vague mention of non- heterosexual relationships and two supporting characters are in a long term queer relationship, like a marriage. Generally this story feels very white, heteronormative, which might be exactly what some folks are looking for in fantasy stories! Just not for me. 

I felt that some of the “damsel in distress” tropes exhibited by the main character were frustrating.  I do however recognize that protection by lover is a fantasy that sounds desirable for a lot of people. In this particular context it just feels like it plays heavily into gender roles, and every mention felt so distracting, especially given how much talk there is about the main character’s power. 

I also found it to be condescending when other characters treated her interest in history and science as something strange and novel. It was hard to get through for those reasons. But I read it all and am moving into book two so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

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adventurous dark sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

Still continue to be intrigued by the characters (and the creatures!) I am definitely hooked at this point and have to see how everything will play out because this is not really one where the answer is completely obvious. 
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.75

In this second book Mosscap continues learning about humans and even gets to meet Dex’s family, you get to see the unique human interactions
with things like a one night stand, how we look at/treat celebrities, and awkward parental relationships
. It’s another great book in the series but I feel the first is stronger. 
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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

Now that I’ve finished the last book I can really say that I appreciated everything about this Eastern inspired fantasy world. Not usually a fan of stories that have to do with war but I always appreciate one that has complex characters who have to go through some soul searching and a redemption arc. 
Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older

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adventurous emotional funny reflective 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

4.5