Scan barcode
transcendent's reviews
200 reviews
Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
THIS WAS EPIC!!!!
although a complete blind buy from the bookstore because.... pretty cover....... Kölsch didn't disappoint. with her strong voice leading her unbelievably well fleshed out characters though the story which is being told by Nesbit, and finds us following a murder in a rural town in the US along the thing called the Quabbin?
Now, Conjurers had many of the elements which I typically love in a book but because of this had a tinge of predictability through absolutely no fault of its own! where it mattered the story had me absolutely engrossed and guessing, but the smaller things, like relationships between characters or small details became things I could just assume and would later read as true (in my head anyway).
love you, Now, Conjurers. to the goths and the witches and the goth witches who have nerd bf's 🫰
although a complete blind buy from the bookstore because.... pretty cover....... Kölsch didn't disappoint. with her strong voice leading her unbelievably well fleshed out characters though the story which is being told by Nesbit, and finds us following a murder in a rural town in the US along the thing called the Quabbin?
Now, Conjurers had many of the elements which I typically love in a book but because of this had a tinge of predictability through absolutely no fault of its own! where it mattered the story had me absolutely engrossed and guessing, but the smaller things, like relationships between characters or small details became things I could just assume and would later read as true (in my head anyway).
love you, Now, Conjurers. to the goths and the witches and the goth witches who have nerd bf's 🫰
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.25
If I found this book in 2014 (when it was released btw) I would've made it out a little more okay than I did now
Seeing and hearing all that Gabi goes through in a single year, and telling myself that my friends will go through similar things at around the same- if not younger ages feels like it would've taken so much off of me in a way? like yes we're all different, but the struggle of being the oldest then-teen, then-daughter from a poor immigrant family remains the same.
I'm so glad this book exists, and I'm so glad teachers like Gabi's poetry teacher exist, who care about their students and try to help them succeed in all facets of their lives! Without teachers like that, many of us wouldn't be where we are!
Seeing and hearing all that Gabi goes through in a single year, and telling myself that my friends will go through similar things at around the same- if not younger ages feels like it would've taken so much off of me in a way? like yes we're all different, but the struggle of being the oldest then-teen, then-daughter from a poor immigrant family remains the same.
I'm so glad this book exists, and I'm so glad teachers like Gabi's poetry teacher exist, who care about their students and try to help them succeed in all facets of their lives! Without teachers like that, many of us wouldn't be where we are!
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
ANOTHER AJW W!!!!!!
Compound Fracture finally being released in Australia puts me back up to date with releases, and I'm so grateful to own all three of them physically!
Following Miles through this exploration of self and family set in a small Appalachian town was such a different- and at times difficult- experience to read about.
Reading about how innately intertwined Saint and Miles' lives were, from their identities, to their politics, to their pro-union stance and their love for their families made me appreciate this so much, to be seen like that is something that I could never think to put into words as well as it's been done here.
OK GOOGLE NOW PLAY TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS!
Compound Fracture finally being released in Australia puts me back up to date with releases, and I'm so grateful to own all three of them physically!
Following Miles through this exploration of self and family set in a small Appalachian town was such a different- and at times difficult- experience to read about.
Reading about how innately intertwined Saint and Miles' lives were, from their identities, to their politics, to their pro-union stance and their love for their families made me appreciate this so much, to be seen like that is something that I could never think to put into words as well as it's been done here.
OK GOOGLE NOW PLAY TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS!
The Crown by Kiera Cass
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i was just so unbelievably bored reading this, i could tell where the story was going to end and there was no real threat throughout the duology like there was over the selection series, nor was there any real chemistry with eady and any of the selected.
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
words of the day: duchess, melancholy, keanumatized.
i cannot explain how much i adore lark and lachlan's relationships, both with each other and their families really adds to the series, seeing how everybody evolves over the current course of the series!
can't wait to see how the characters from the epilogue change with the next book ;D
i cannot explain how much i adore lark and lachlan's relationships, both with each other and their families really adds to the series, seeing how everybody evolves over the current course of the series!
can't wait to see how the characters from the epilogue change with the next book ;D
The Heir by Kiera Cass
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
3.75
FINALLY. I can finally say that I understand why America and Maxon's kid is not well liked.
Slice by Angie Caedis
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
*this book was won from a storygraph giveaway! thank you angie and storygraph!*
now, despite winning the shit out of this book I'd wanted to read since release, I despised every single moment of reading it.
long, wordy, feels like theres no plot for at least 50-60% of the book, too many characters, too many annoying characters I didnt care about, back story that was so relevant early on but didn't make an appearance until I didn't care anymore.
the premise is so good! but just the lack of .... really anything let what could've easily been a 4-5 star easily (only if it had less everything and a stevie side quest).
now, despite winning the shit out of this book I'd wanted to read since release, I despised every single moment of reading it.
long, wordy, feels like theres no plot for at least 50-60% of the book, too many characters, too many annoying characters I didnt care about, back story that was so relevant early on but didn't make an appearance until I didn't care anymore.
the premise is so good! but just the lack of .... really anything let what could've easily been a 4-5 star easily (only if it had less everything and a stevie side quest).
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
İ didn't go into this expecting anything good, it was released in the peak of slop romance novels that were just pushed on social media as easy reads with no substance but I disagree!
To take a fanfic term: I think that this is P WITH P, the dark comedy really coming in clutch alongside the well thought out plot and characterisation of Butcher and Blackbird making it a very fun read, which I feel as if I've been missing from my neverending rotation of books!
To take a fanfic term: I think that this is P WITH P, the dark comedy really coming in clutch alongside the well thought out plot and characterisation of Butcher and Blackbird making it a very fun read, which I feel as if I've been missing from my neverending rotation of books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, and Medical content
Solved by Nicole Parker
fast-paced
4.75
yeah i like this one.......
love me a nerd x not nerd x Kyle dynamic and the world building surrounding this specific book!! the characters felt really fleshed out and i flew through it, despite forgetting to update what i had read as it was a between book read!
love me a nerd x not nerd x Kyle dynamic and the world building surrounding this specific book!! the characters felt really fleshed out and i flew through it, despite forgetting to update what i had read as it was a between book read!