yolanda_h's reviews
284 reviews

Started as an entertaining read, although I couldn’t resist a multitude of eyerolls. After 75% or so it plummeted to 2 stars, sadly. The devices the author uses there to get to the point they want and to connect the dots are unnecessary, slightly artificial and plainly annoying to me. The premises is so appealing and awesome. The execution is a letdown for me, mostly the present day storyline.

Can be used for a drinking game, for every time a character gasps or feels a certain sensation prickling on their skin.

Content Warnings

The Mill On The Floss by George Eliot

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challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

‘[My mum] wrote a very long essay about a whale that goes around the world alone because it sings at a different frequency to the other whales. It can hear them, but they can’t hear it. I understand a little how that whale feels.’

I love this book. It’s about so many things. About finding the ones that are swimming on your wavelength, for example. But it’s also about mental health, love in all forms, darkness and kicking towards the light.

Julia and the Shark is reminiscent of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness in the sense that a child goes through something difficult regarding a parent, and has to find their way in dealing with the emotions and fear that this brings. Both books combine amazing storytelling with art, a lot is represented by nature and both authors take children, their feelings and their ability to understand things seriously. No sugarcoating here.

Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston created made
something special.

The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

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adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced