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obscurepages's reviews
397 reviews
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
My first time reading this and I was truly, pleasantly surprised! I can see why so many people cherish this book. It was heartbreaking and wholesome at the same time, and just so, so lovely. I loved the way it tackled life, humanity, friendship, and the way it showed how to find love and keep something special or unique.
(Also, can I just say, BTS book recommendations brought me here. And I'm so, so thankful to have read this!)
(Also, can I just say, BTS book recommendations brought me here. And I'm so, so thankful to have read this!)
Both Can Be True by Jules Machias
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow wow wow.
This book is all kinds of beautiful and heartfelt. 🥺 From Ash's journey into accepting who they are, to discussions about gender and how people always unnecessarily gender things and even emotions, to asking for forgiveness, to seeing another point of view in someone else's shoes and understanding them, to themes of friendship and family, and more. Above all, this book is also a testament to how parents/adults have such a big impact on children, especially when it comes to their identity, their gender, their sexuality.
This is just so, so wonderful, and so damn relatable for me too (although, that is a story for another day, and a lot of self-reflection is needed 😂). Overall, this book is incredible, one that should be read by both kids and adults.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins/The Shelf Stuff for sending a copy my way! This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
CW: bullying, deadnaming, transphobia, animal deaths/injury
This book is all kinds of beautiful and heartfelt. 🥺 From Ash's journey into accepting who they are, to discussions about gender and how people always unnecessarily gender things and even emotions, to asking for forgiveness, to seeing another point of view in someone else's shoes and understanding them, to themes of friendship and family, and more. Above all, this book is also a testament to how parents/adults have such a big impact on children, especially when it comes to their identity, their gender, their sexuality.
This is just so, so wonderful, and so damn relatable for me too (although, that is a story for another day, and a lot of self-reflection is needed 😂). Overall, this book is incredible, one that should be read by both kids and adults.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins/The Shelf Stuff for sending a copy my way! This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
CW: bullying, deadnaming, transphobia, animal deaths/injury
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
Moderate: Animal death, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
The Art of Running Away by Sabrina Kleckner
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
WOW WOW WOW. If anyone sees me ugly crying, please LOOK AWAY.
Jokes aside. Wow. This book is so so beautiful—quiet and yet significant. It has queer rep and showed the struggle to be who you are and express who you are, it talked about what it means to be an ally, it talked about family and friendship, it talked about forgiveness and trust. It also talked about art, its worth, and how it can change lives symbolize love and passion.
I loved the innocence of this book, and the innocence of Maisie's perspective. We see her make some mistakes and be moody, which of course is normal especially for any 12 year old. But we also see her learn and educate herself, especially when it came to her brother, and being an ally.
Overall, I think this book was a tender and beautifully-written exploration of trust being broken and learning all about forgiveness and healing in your own way.
I loved reading this so much, I laughed and cried in the entirety of this book and I am so so grateful I got to read this at the perfect time. 🥺
Thank you so much to the publicist at @northstareditions / @jollyfishpress for sending an e-arc my way! This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Jokes aside. Wow. This book is so so beautiful—quiet and yet significant. It has queer rep and showed the struggle to be who you are and express who you are, it talked about what it means to be an ally, it talked about family and friendship, it talked about forgiveness and trust. It also talked about art, its worth, and how it can change lives symbolize love and passion.
I loved the innocence of this book, and the innocence of Maisie's perspective. We see her make some mistakes and be moody, which of course is normal especially for any 12 year old. But we also see her learn and educate herself, especially when it came to her brother, and being an ally.
Overall, I think this book was a tender and beautifully-written exploration of trust being broken and learning all about forgiveness and healing in your own way.
I loved reading this so much, I laughed and cried in the entirety of this book and I am so so grateful I got to read this at the perfect time. 🥺
Thank you so much to the publicist at @northstareditions / @jollyfishpress for sending an e-arc my way! This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Cupcake by Cookie O'Gorman
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Okay, this is just classic romcom. One that I probably needed because I've been in a book slump for quite a bit!
Here's what I loved:
- the fat rep (I love the discussions in this book about being fat, e.g. how shopping is messy, how there are no fat princesses/not much fat MCs in the media, how fat people also eat healthy and are healthy but still disregarded, the small insecurity/doubt fat people still have despite being confident, these are all so important and so real/relatable, and I love that the author clearly showed that)
- mental health rep (not talked about a lot, but still I love that it was highlighted)
- the main plot didn't pit women against women! I love that the author showed camaraderie between Ariel and the other Court princesses, especially Lana. At first I thought they were going to be against each other, but I love how they sort of came together and understood each other at the end
- the romance. I have to admit there were some swoon-worthy stuff in here
- funny and light prose/writing style
What I didn't exactly like:
- they kept saying "fat-ist" in the book?! Just say fatphobic, please, it's really right there (sorry, this annoyed me lol)
- at times, I feel like the book is actually such a cliche, but I feel like that's exactly the mission of the author. Especially since Ariel herself likes romcom movies so much and is a sucker for these cliche/classics.
- Characterization. I've gotten to know Ariel and Rhys pretty well in the book, but I feel like the minor characters didn't shine that much.
Overall, Cupcake is such a fun book and I enjoyed reading it! If you're looking for a quick, romcom read with great fat rep, this is it!
Exact rating: 3.75/5
CW: fatphobia, mentions of eating disorder in the past, bullying (verbal, physical (on a flashback not on page)), mental illness, food/desserts
Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for sending over an ARC! (This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
Here's what I loved:
- the fat rep (I love the discussions in this book about being fat, e.g. how shopping is messy, how there are no fat princesses/not much fat MCs in the media, how fat people also eat healthy and are healthy but still disregarded, the small insecurity/doubt fat people still have despite being confident, these are all so important and so real/relatable, and I love that the author clearly showed that)
- mental health rep (not talked about a lot, but still I love that it was highlighted)
- the main plot didn't pit women against women! I love that the author showed camaraderie between Ariel and the other Court princesses, especially Lana. At first I thought they were going to be against each other, but I love how they sort of came together and understood each other at the end
- the romance. I have to admit there were some swoon-worthy stuff in here
- funny and light prose/writing style
What I didn't exactly like:
- they kept saying "fat-ist" in the book?! Just say fatphobic, please, it's really right there (sorry, this annoyed me lol)
- at times, I feel like the book is actually such a cliche, but I feel like that's exactly the mission of the author. Especially since Ariel herself likes romcom movies so much and is a sucker for these cliche/classics.
- Characterization. I've gotten to know Ariel and Rhys pretty well in the book, but I feel like the minor characters didn't shine that much.
Overall, Cupcake is such a fun book and I enjoyed reading it! If you're looking for a quick, romcom read with great fat rep, this is it!
Exact rating: 3.75/5
CW: fatphobia, mentions of eating disorder in the past, bullying (verbal, physical (on a flashback not on page)), mental illness, food/desserts
Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for sending over an ARC! (This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Minor: Mental illness
Food/desserts
What We Devour by Linsey Miller
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
Okay, so. I just finished this book and???? That was not the ending I expected! I don't know how I feel about it 😭 I like it? But at the same time, it just feels harrowing and melancholic, and yet hopeful at the same time??? I don't think I can process much of my feelings and thoughts right now.
So what did I like about the book? I absolutely love the magic system and the world-building. I'm a sucker for scifi/fantasy books with intricate world-building, so it's not a surprise that I loved the world and the magic here in What We Devour. I also liked the eeriness of it. I liked the writing style, which was both poetic and dark. I liked the characters, especially Lorena's character arc. It's not perfect or righteous, but instead we see someone change and do things, not just for their family and friends but for other people. I also absolutely loved the asexual rep in this book! The word wasn't mentioned here at all, but the way Lorena thought about it, explained it, and how people always judge and misunderstand her felt raw to me.
My only issues with the book? I guess wanted more action? I wanted more of that dangerous/high stakes feel? But that's just my personal preference for this story. This was still very much entertaining and the plot twists did not disappoint me.
Overall, this was a good read. A perfect choice this spooky season!
E-arc from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
So what did I like about the book? I absolutely love the magic system and the world-building. I'm a sucker for scifi/fantasy books with intricate world-building, so it's not a surprise that I loved the world and the magic here in What We Devour. I also liked the eeriness of it. I liked the writing style, which was both poetic and dark. I liked the characters, especially Lorena's character arc. It's not perfect or righteous, but instead we see someone change and do things, not just for their family and friends but for other people. I also absolutely loved the asexual rep in this book! The word wasn't mentioned here at all, but the way Lorena thought about it, explained it, and how people always judge and misunderstand her felt raw to me.
My only issues with the book? I guess wanted more action? I wanted more of that dangerous/high stakes feel? But that's just my personal preference for this story. This was still very much entertaining and the plot twists did not disappoint me.
Overall, this was a good read. A perfect choice this spooky season!
E-arc from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Some Faraway Place by Lauren Shippen
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Okay, wow wow wow. I don't even know how to explain this book. This was a beautiful and heart wrenching story of being human—of getting lost, making mistakes, trying to make a connection with others, of falling in love, dealing with our problems, and more. I came for some magic, (and there is magic, yes), but I think what made this book so compelling is the way the author gave me a glimpse of the complexity of reality instead. I love that. 🤧
The writing style is just brilliant. I absolutely love how the author isn't afraid to dive deep into the psyche of the characters, and show the readers how unstable/unreliable the characters are, how lonely they are, what drives them to do things or to cope with the things around them.
In a way, I see Some Faraway Place as a character study that's just so heartfelt and complex and raw. If I shed a few tears reading the last few chapters, well, no one saw it okay 🤧😂 (Also, I adored the queer rep + fat rep! And the way I got to meet all the previous characters from the past books, too! I think really missed Caleb and Adam)
This series is so underrated and honestly deserves more love.
The writing style is just brilliant. I absolutely love how the author isn't afraid to dive deep into the psyche of the characters, and show the readers how unstable/unreliable the characters are, how lonely they are, what drives them to do things or to cope with the things around them.
In a way, I see Some Faraway Place as a character study that's just so heartfelt and complex and raw. If I shed a few tears reading the last few chapters, well, no one saw it okay 🤧😂 (Also, I adored the queer rep + fat rep! And the way I got to meet all the previous characters from the past books, too! I think really missed Caleb and Adam)
This series is so underrated and honestly deserves more love.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
4.75
Wow wow wow. This took me on quite a ride and made me question what we know about the world.
It dove into the paranormal/supernatural, the secret organizations, the magic and the scientific theories that surround us, the reality that we know, the hardships that people go through, the society and the system we live in.
Another thing that really impressed me is the writing style and the prose. It was dark and eerie and so captivating. And the fact that the author blended horror, fantasy, and science fiction and he did it so brilliantly. 😭👏
There are a lot of characters and it can get confusing/hard to keep up. However, the way these different characters and their perspectives intertwine was so cool and impressive. (And hello??? That unnamed narrator?!) Kudos to the author for creating such an intricate yet satisfying network of point of views.
I really enjoyed reading this y'all. This one surprised me and I loved it!
E-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Full review soon!
It dove into the paranormal/supernatural, the secret organizations, the magic and the scientific theories that surround us, the reality that we know, the hardships that people go through, the society and the system we live in.
Another thing that really impressed me is the writing style and the prose. It was dark and eerie and so captivating. And the fact that the author blended horror, fantasy, and science fiction and he did it so brilliantly. 😭👏
There are a lot of characters and it can get confusing/hard to keep up. However, the way these different characters and their perspectives intertwine was so cool and impressive. (And hello??? That unnamed narrator?!) Kudos to the author for creating such an intricate yet satisfying network of point of views.
I really enjoyed reading this y'all. This one surprised me and I loved it!
E-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Full review soon!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Nameless: Poems & Prose by Brian Oldham
I feel like it took me some time getting used to the writing style and the tone. But once I had a grasp of it, I enjoyed reading and dissecting the prose and poetry here! This was a collection of writings and illustrations about identity, love, sex, loss, healing, queerness, and it was thought-provoking, earnest, and meaningful. On the other hand, I wish this was longer. I wish the author dove into these themes with more writings. Right now, it feels like it ended abruptly. Still, this was a really nice read. That much, I can't deny.
Thank you so much to Augur Editions for sending over a copy! (This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I liked this. This was simple, and quiet, and beautiful.
I pick off scabs
so I can watch
the ways I will heal-
I like to see
my skin unmasked,
and feel myself as real
I feel like it took me some time getting used to the writing style and the tone. But once I had a grasp of it, I enjoyed reading and dissecting the prose and poetry here! This was a collection of writings and illustrations about identity, love, sex, loss, healing, queerness, and it was thought-provoking, earnest, and meaningful. On the other hand, I wish this was longer. I wish the author dove into these themes with more writings. Right now, it feels like it ended abruptly. Still, this was a really nice read. That much, I can't deny.
Thank you so much to Augur Editions for sending over a copy! (This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Oh, this was so irresistibly good 😭 Now I know why so many of my friends love this!
The Witch King has it all, I think? It has political intrigue, angst and pining, slow burn (helloo?????), "there's only one bed" trope, intimate discussions and honest thoughts about gender identity and sexuality (which is probably my absolute favorite thing in this book), the world-building and the magic system, modern lives meshed with magic, plus the gorgeous writing style and the prose??? Also, it's such a fun book. Yes, there's seriousness in this book and sometimes it can get a little dark, but it's also highly entertaining. This book checks all the boxes for me and I love it.
I think my only issue is that I expected more action for the climax? However, I know the story is far from over and we're only getting introduced to the bigger picture and the next plot to uncover. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL
Exact rating: 4.5 stars. Full review on my blog soon (hopefully!)
The Witch King has it all, I think? It has political intrigue, angst and pining, slow burn (helloo?????), "there's only one bed" trope, intimate discussions and honest thoughts about gender identity and sexuality (which is probably my absolute favorite thing in this book), the world-building and the magic system, modern lives meshed with magic, plus the gorgeous writing style and the prose??? Also, it's such a fun book. Yes, there's seriousness in this book and sometimes it can get a little dark, but it's also highly entertaining. This book checks all the boxes for me and I love it.
I think my only issue is that I expected more action for the climax? However, I know the story is far from over and we're only getting introduced to the bigger picture and the next plot to uncover. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL
Exact rating: 4.5 stars. Full review on my blog soon (hopefully!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug use
Big Boned by Jo Watson
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Okay, I'm so sorry and so sad, but I might have to DNF this.
I'm just not feeling this book 😭 The pacing and the writing style is just not for me, 50% in and nothing's really happening yet.
The MC is okay, but I don't exactly feel the need to root for her. I find it off that she keeps judging people/giving comments based on their body types too. I get that it's because she's so insecure but damn. I also feel like she's a bit too judgmental towards her mother when it comes to the fact that she's now trying to date after her husband left. She hasn't been the best mother yes, (oh she definitely hasn't and I didn't like her for that), but I also didn't like how judgy Lori was.
I like that the book tried to highlight social and political issues in South Africa, that's great and quite educational for readers. But using it as a turning point in Lori's character arc feels a little off for me. Like she has suddenly found her voice only when she started doing paintings about social gender-based issues, when she didn't seem to care about it at the start of the book.
Also the romance feels lacking? Idk but I was not feeling the chemistry 😅
Here's what I really liked tho: The MC's brother is on the spectrum and I love that the book highlights that. He is the best character in here tbh.
I also like how therapy/medication is normalized. The MC goes to see a therapist and I think that's great.
I made it to 60% of this book before I decided I can't continue anymore. A shame because I was so excited for it and the fat rep, and I tried really hard to continue. But yeah, this is not for me I think. 😢
Of course, thank you so much to Wattpad Books for sending over an ARC in exchange for a review.
I'm just not feeling this book 😭 The pacing and the writing style is just not for me, 50% in and nothing's really happening yet.
The MC is okay, but I don't exactly feel the need to root for her. I find it off that she keeps judging people/giving comments based on their body types too. I get that it's because she's so insecure but damn. I also feel like she's a bit too judgmental towards her mother when it comes to the fact that she's now trying to date after her husband left. She hasn't been the best mother yes, (oh she definitely hasn't and I didn't like her for that), but I also didn't like how judgy Lori was.
I like that the book tried to highlight social and political issues in South Africa, that's great and quite educational for readers. But using it as a turning point in Lori's character arc feels a little off for me. Like she has suddenly found her voice only when she started doing paintings about social gender-based issues, when she didn't seem to care about it at the start of the book.
Also the romance feels lacking? Idk but I was not feeling the chemistry 😅
Here's what I really liked tho: The MC's brother is on the spectrum and I love that the book highlights that. He is the best character in here tbh.
I also like how therapy/medication is normalized. The MC goes to see a therapist and I think that's great.
I made it to 60% of this book before I decided I can't continue anymore. A shame because I was so excited for it and the fat rep, and I tried really hard to continue. But yeah, this is not for me I think. 😢
Of course, thank you so much to Wattpad Books for sending over an ARC in exchange for a review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Fatphobia