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transcendent's reviews
200 reviews
A Soul to Embrace by Opal Reyne
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.5
IM SO HAPPY THIS BOOK EXISTS!!!!! it was so fun to finish off this arc of the duskwalkers through Jabez and Zylah's relationship, and it was so great to finally see some of my favourites come back for more!
it was so epic to see Jabez actively making choices to not be evil, and how having Zylah around grew both of their humanity and decision making skills lol
spoilers ahead pertaining to end of book and the novella:but im so glad that the little novella at the end finally gave us Jabez with true happiness, Merikh and Nathair reunion, the TWINS!, and just general family happiness!!! although. could not believe that the witch owl and weldir had two MORE. give that girl a break.
it was so epic to see Jabez actively making choices to not be evil, and how having Zylah around grew both of their humanity and decision making skills lol
spoilers ahead pertaining to end of book and the novella:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
5 stars no notes!
I loved this book so much, it was such a fun read and I'm glad I pulled it together and picked it up!
I loved this book so much, it was such a fun read and I'm glad I pulled it together and picked it up!
Camera Shy by Kay Cove
funny
relaxing
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
if i have to hear the words "queen" or "king" or "womanly hips" again i will spontaneously combust in a bad way.
Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater
1.25
I cannot believe I finished this book.
I hated both characters, I hated the story, I hated every single detail about this book.
I borrowed it from the library as its bright green allure captured me, snail motifs enthralling me, and then was let down for 3 whole months of "reading" nothing worth my time. but I had to finish the book.
and by god did I read to the end, with the most disappointing ending I've had the misfortune of interacting with for a long time.
this was not worth my time.
I hated both characters, I hated the story, I hated every single detail about this book.
I borrowed it from the library as its bright green allure captured me, snail motifs enthralling me, and then was let down for 3 whole months of "reading" nothing worth my time. but I had to finish the book.
and by god did I read to the end, with the most disappointing ending I've had the misfortune of interacting with for a long time.
this was not worth my time.
Women & Children by Tony Birch
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
- 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
TONY BIRCH ! *raucous applause*
hats off to another wonderful book by the man, the myth, the legend: Tony Birch.
Women and Children explores very harsh, very real themes through the viewpoint of a child, and it truly taking a village to take care of one another.
Charlie and Joe's relationship was so sweet to read through for the 300-odd pages of the book, and it really felt like Birch exploring his current and younger selves being reflected through the characters.
Here's to being better than those who raised us, and to end the cycle forever.
hats off to another wonderful book by the man, the myth, the legend: Tony Birch.
Women and Children explores very harsh, very real themes through the viewpoint of a child, and it truly taking a village to take care of one another.
Charlie and Joe's relationship was so sweet to read through for the 300-odd pages of the book, and it really felt like Birch exploring his current and younger selves being reflected through the characters.
Here's to being better than those who raised us, and to end the cycle forever.
Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
ocean vuong when i get you ocean. WHEN I GET YOU.
This anthology has one of my personal favourite poems that Vuong's released Amazon History of A Former Nail Salon Worker and a new addition of Not Even, both of which left me shattered on the floor.
I do want to mention that this did not take long to read, but between not having the time and losing the damn book, it took a longer than expected time.
This anthology has one of my personal favourite poems that Vuong's released Amazon History of A Former Nail Salon Worker and a new addition of Not Even, both of which left me shattered on the floor.
I do want to mention that this did not take long to read, but between not having the time and losing the damn book, it took a longer than expected time.
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
although I was very interested initially, the absolute muddled structure of the middle really took the excitement out of me, leaving me really confused about the relationships which andrew (?) had and was forming throughout the year (also ? because I can't tell the timeline of this).
finding out the about "the incident from last year" in the last three chapters of the book truly pissed me off, and how it was supposed to be this big yahtzee! type twist but it just made me very very upset with how it was just ..... idk given? to the reader after being ignored for most of the damn story which was so annoying.
I was just annoyed by this whole book actually. the horror elements are great, there's some good psychological horror, great tie ins with mental health and eating disorders, and what is essentially doomed yaoi. but the way that the actual story line is written just feels wrong to me, and not for the right reason.
finding out the about "the incident from last year" in the last three chapters of the book truly pissed me off, and how it was supposed to be this big yahtzee! type twist but it just made me very very upset with how it was just ..... idk given? to the reader after being ignored for most of the damn story which was so annoying.
I was just annoyed by this whole book actually. the horror elements are great, there's some good psychological horror, great tie ins with mental health and eating disorders, and what is essentially doomed yaoi. but the way that the actual story line is written just feels wrong to me, and not for the right reason.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
The Quiet and the Loud by Helena Fox
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
After loving Fox's debut and having it be my highest rated book for a good bit, I had some high hopes for The Quiet and the Loud however it felt like such a muddy, mish mash of different things the author wanted to state their contention on as quickly as they physically could.
I genuinely despised the best friend in this book and felt like whatever message was being broadcast through her storyline (which was blurry at best) was overshadowed by her name taking up most of my page- ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND ITS SUPPOSED TO! I just don't think I'm meant to have this much disdain for a fictional pregnant person.
The general messages that were being put out were also so insane, like I had to remind myself if it was about the Australian government's lack of care for the climate, abortion rights/pregnancy rights, the harrowing subjects of domestic abuse/violence, family abuse/violence, addiction and how it's normalised in the context of the Australian home, being part of the LGBTQIA community as an adult and a youth(?)(which. felt so performative at a certain point) , being a POC in the protest space and the freaking class divide in Sydney.
I have no final thoughts I'm going to go watch a tv show to get rid of Tess's insane plotline out of my head. It will be a talking point over coffee with my friends. Like would I have enjoyed this book more without the best friend.... Yes, probably! I'm so mad.
I genuinely despised the best friend in this book and felt like whatever message was being broadcast through her storyline (which was blurry at best) was overshadowed by her name taking up most of my page- ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND ITS SUPPOSED TO! I just don't think I'm meant to have this much disdain for a fictional pregnant person.
The general messages that were being put out were also so insane, like I had to remind myself if it was about the Australian government's lack of care for the climate, abortion rights/pregnancy rights, the harrowing subjects of domestic abuse/violence, family abuse/violence, addiction and how it's normalised in the context of the Australian home, being part of the LGBTQIA community as an adult and a youth
I have no final thoughts I'm going to go watch a tv show to get rid of Tess's insane plotline out of my head. It will be a talking point over coffee with my friends. Like would I have enjoyed this book more without the best friend.... Yes, probably! I'm so mad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal cruelty and Physical abuse
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
werk autism stem representation!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol
The Omen of Stones by Casey L. Bond
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rounding off all of my qualms about this book with a solid 3 stars. like yes, could give it more, however then i would have to acknowledge the absolutely lack of plot and voice through the whole book, and how there was so many point of views that i didnt know what i was reading half the time.
for afun silly wholesome christian time, read this. for a book with any substance that moves, read anything else.
for a
Content Warnings
spoilers about the big bad i just need to get this out while it's fresh look i totally understand reusing a villian but the SAME VILLIAN FOR THE SAME REASONS AND DEFEATING HER IN THE SAME WAY? AND NOT EVEN EXPLAINING HOW SHE REALLY "CAME BACK TO LIFE" OTHER THAN SHE BECAME A GHOST? IM SO MAD I SAW IT COMING A MILE AWAY BUT I HAD TO FINISH IT.