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dustilane's reviews
857 reviews
All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Maeve has always felt untalented and not smart until she finds a pack of tarot cards and discovers her affinity for them. She thrives on her newfound talent and recognition until a reading goes wrong and someone ends up missing. She must figure out how to set things right and bring her friend back before it's too late.
Ahhhhhhhh, I so enjoyed this book. It is the perfect mix of teen drama and witchy occult vibes. I was initially a little hesitant and wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. I put it down after reading 10 pages. The next day I picked it up again and read until I couldn't keep my eyes open. It's so easy to read and the story flows smoothly. I found the pace really nice, not too fast-paced but it didn't feel drawn out either. The book takes place in Ireland which I did not know going in, so that was a lovely surprise.
I loved that the book didn't shy away from hard topics like racism and homophobia. I loved the representation that was in this book and really liked most of the main characters. I also think the author did an excellent job with wrapping up the book at the end but leaving enough of an open ending to make you super excited to read the next book.
I definitely would recommend this book to others and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book!
Ahhhhhhhh, I so enjoyed this book. It is the perfect mix of teen drama and witchy occult vibes. I was initially a little hesitant and wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. I put it down after reading 10 pages. The next day I picked it up again and read until I couldn't keep my eyes open. It's so easy to read and the story flows smoothly. I found the pace really nice, not too fast-paced but it didn't feel drawn out either. The book takes place in Ireland which I did not know going in, so that was a lovely surprise.
I loved that the book didn't shy away from hard topics like racism and homophobia. I loved the representation that was in this book and really liked most of the main characters. I also think the author did an excellent job with wrapping up the book at the end but leaving enough of an open ending to make you super excited to read the next book.
I definitely would recommend this book to others and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book!
Inheritance by Katharine McGee
4.0
Inheritance gives us a look back at the night of Sam and Jeff's graduation party.
I just finished book three and I needed more from these characters so I impulsively purchased the novella. Now I am just left wanting book four even more! This was a short glimpse into what happened before the events of book one. It's a novella so it's hard to rate but I would definitely recommend this for mega fans of the series.
I just finished book three and I needed more from these characters so I impulsively purchased the novella. Now I am just left wanting book four even more! This was a short glimpse into what happened before the events of book one. It's a novella so it's hard to rate but I would definitely recommend this for mega fans of the series.
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Dahlia is looking for a new start.
London wants to make a difference.
When these two contestants meet on a cooking show, things get interesting. Sparks fly and the kitchen gets hot as these two very different people connect in the most unusual of circumstances.
I have discovered I have a thing for books based on reality television. I don’t even watch reality television anymore but give me a book based on it and I’ll eat it up. I love the drama and high-stakes and this book brought both of those things. I knew I had to read it when I saw that it was a romance between a queer woman and a pansexual non-binary person that takes place on a cooking show. I loved both main characters, Dahlia and London. I may actually have a huge crush on London. They are absolutely adorable.
This book has plenty of cute moments and its share of steamy ones too. I didn’t find that the spice overtook the story however. There were a couple scenes that had me like… umm. But for the most part, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the representation and I want to see more of it! I will definitely be reading more from this author.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Olivia wants nothing more than to have a family, but all she has is her mother's journal, confusing documentation of her descent into madness. When Olivia receives a letter asking her to come home to a place called Gallant, she is excited to find out that she has a place to call home. Except her arrival goes nothing like she hoped. Gallant is not a normal home and Olivia's cousin isn't the family she always dreamed of, but Olivia is determined to explore Gallant and learn its secrets.
I checked out this audiobook on a whim after hearing everyone talk about its release. I am glad I did! I really enjoyed the dark, creepy vibes and grew to really appreciate the main protagonist, Olivia. Olivia doesn't speak and I loved this representation. It's not something you see often in books, but I'm glad that detail was included. I also loved all of the side characters.
I enjoyed the writing and found the book easy to get into. I was intrigued from the beginning and was excited to find out what would happen next. The audiobook narration was also great and fit the themes of the book perfectly.
Overall, an enjoyable read that I would recommend to others!
I checked out this audiobook on a whim after hearing everyone talk about its release. I am glad I did! I really enjoyed the dark, creepy vibes and grew to really appreciate the main protagonist, Olivia. Olivia doesn't speak and I loved this representation. It's not something you see often in books, but I'm glad that detail was included. I also loved all of the side characters.
I enjoyed the writing and found the book easy to get into. I was intrigued from the beginning and was excited to find out what would happen next. The audiobook narration was also great and fit the themes of the book perfectly.
Overall, an enjoyable read that I would recommend to others!
Comfort Me with Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Everything is perfect. Sophia's life is perfect. Her husband is perfect.
She was made for him.
So, what happens when she realizes that everything may not be as perfect as it seems?
THIS BOOK HERE. I have no words. I will try to come up with some words as this is a review, but... I am just speechless.
Whatever you are expecting from the description... it's not what this book is. Not really. It is unlike anything I have read before. I generally can predict plot twists quite often, but this time as each thing was revealed, I was in shock. I started to guess a few things but only maybe a page before it was confirmed. This is a short book, only 103 pages. But that was not the reason I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. I NEEDED to know what the hell was going on.
The writing itself is phenomenal. I think the poetic way the author told the story added so much to the book. The language was flowery and overly descriptive but in a way that made sense to the story and only intrigued me. The length was perfect and it was very fast-paced in a way that only works with horror and thrillers.
I genuinely don't know how to rate this as it's just... something. I was going to give it 3 stars, but I can't do that. I literally could not put the book down. Then I was going to rate it 4 stars for the sheer audacity of the author to write this book, but I can't do that. That has only left me with one conclusion. I am giving this weird, twisted book 5 stars. Maybe my opinion will change but for now, I just am too in awe to rate it anything else.
I will add as a disclaimer that I do NOT recommend this book for everyone. It is definitely not everyone's cup of tea and I think that's completely understandable. But I think it was definitely a book for me!
She was made for him.
So, what happens when she realizes that everything may not be as perfect as it seems?
THIS BOOK HERE. I have no words. I will try to come up with some words as this is a review, but... I am just speechless.
Whatever you are expecting from the description... it's not what this book is. Not really. It is unlike anything I have read before. I generally can predict plot twists quite often, but this time as each thing was revealed, I was in shock. I started to guess a few things but only maybe a page before it was confirmed. This is a short book, only 103 pages. But that was not the reason I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. I NEEDED to know what the hell was going on.
The writing itself is phenomenal. I think the poetic way the author told the story added so much to the book. The language was flowery and overly descriptive but in a way that made sense to the story and only intrigued me. The length was perfect and it was very fast-paced in a way that only works with horror and thrillers.
I genuinely don't know how to rate this as it's just... something. I was going to give it 3 stars, but I can't do that. I literally could not put the book down. Then I was going to rate it 4 stars for the sheer audacity of the author to write this book, but I can't do that. That has only left me with one conclusion. I am giving this weird, twisted book 5 stars. Maybe my opinion will change but for now, I just am too in awe to rate it anything else.
I will add as a disclaimer that I do NOT recommend this book for everyone. It is definitely not everyone's cup of tea and I think that's completely understandable. But I think it was definitely a book for me!
Rivals by Katharine McGee
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beatrice, Sam, Nina, Daphne, and Jefferson are back! After all the drama in Majesty, we are in for a whole lot more. Rivals become friends and friends become rivals in this novel that goes between romance and royal politics in the blink of an eye.
I love love love this series and this book! I am not one for more "fluff" stories, but the American Royals series is a perfect balance of romance, politics, friendships, and family dynamics. It is incredibly easy to read and this book has brought me out of a reading slump. I went from having a hard time reading the past few days to reading the second half of this book in one sitting, which I haven't done in a while.
The characters have depth and are well-rounded in my opinion. The story is "light" but deals with some more serious issues such as classism, racism, and grief. The romances are complicated. Some are good, some are toxic, which I feel adds some realism to this alternative reality world. But the toxic relationships are not glorified. I also am glad that McGee does address the problems of monarchy and the downfalls that come with this system of government while still letting us enjoy this royal setting.
Overall, this has been one of my favorite books of the year so far. I really needed this change of pace and I am SO excited for book four to come out in 2023. I will be pre-ordering!
I love love love this series and this book! I am not one for more "fluff" stories, but the American Royals series is a perfect balance of romance, politics, friendships, and family dynamics. It is incredibly easy to read and this book has brought me out of a reading slump. I went from having a hard time reading the past few days to reading the second half of this book in one sitting, which I haven't done in a while.
The characters have depth and are well-rounded in my opinion. The story is "light" but deals with some more serious issues such as classism, racism, and grief. The romances are complicated. Some are good, some are toxic, which I feel adds some realism to this alternative reality world. But the toxic relationships are not glorified. I also am glad that McGee does address the problems of monarchy and the downfalls that come with this system of government while still letting us enjoy this royal setting.
Overall, this has been one of my favorite books of the year so far. I really needed this change of pace and I am SO excited for book four to come out in 2023. I will be pre-ordering!
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Cinderella is dead but her legacy lives on. Sophia hates this legacy and wants nothing more than to be with Erin, not a man who chooses her at the annual ball. Sophia wants to be free from the decrees that rule her and every one of the kingdom's women's lives.
Cinderella is Dead transports you to a world ruled by sexist laws where women are seen as little more than servants to the men they "belong" to. Sound familiar? It's not too far off from our own past and that is what struck me most. While obviously there are greater extremes and a lot of fantastical elements to this story, it still hold lots of real life truth and value.
In this sapphic spin on the classic tale of Cinderella, Sophia is a strong female protagonist that we can root for. Even when she finds her own female knight in shining armor, Sophia is still holding her own. I also appreciate the twists that Bayron added to the classic tale and the representation she added as well. We should all be able to see ourselves in stories across genres and it's nice to see that done here.
I did find the story to be a bit predictable and the villain to be a bit cheesy. I predicted most of the plot twists, which did take some of the enjoyableness out of the story for me. That being said, it was easy to read and fast-paced, which I enjoyed. Overall, I wouldn't say it's a stand out for me but I would recommend it to others.
Cinderella is Dead transports you to a world ruled by sexist laws where women are seen as little more than servants to the men they "belong" to. Sound familiar? It's not too far off from our own past and that is what struck me most. While obviously there are greater extremes and a lot of fantastical elements to this story, it still hold lots of real life truth and value.
In this sapphic spin on the classic tale of Cinderella, Sophia is a strong female protagonist that we can root for. Even when she finds her own female knight in shining armor, Sophia is still holding her own. I also appreciate the twists that Bayron added to the classic tale and the representation she added as well. We should all be able to see ourselves in stories across genres and it's nice to see that done here.
I did find the story to be a bit predictable and the villain to be a bit cheesy. I predicted most of the plot twists, which did take some of the enjoyableness out of the story for me. That being said, it was easy to read and fast-paced, which I enjoyed. Overall, I wouldn't say it's a stand out for me but I would recommend it to others.
City of Masks by Mary Hoffman
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lucien is very sick and real life is a bit of a drag, but fortunately, he can travel to the beautiful city of Belleza every night. City of Masks is a story filled with adventure, political intrigue, friendship, and a hint of romance.
I loved this book when I was younger and would check it out from the library over and over. I had no idea there were other books in the series nor how to get them but I just loved it so much. I decided to reread it as a friend picked up a copy and would be reading it for the first time. I am so glad I did! It's such a lovely book and is a wild ride from beginning to end. It has everything you could want in a book and more. The writing style is definitely aimed at younger audiences, but I think the book is enjoyable for every age. It made me feel nostalgic for when I would read nothing but these kinds of stories. Overall, I really enjoyed this reread and I hope to finally read the second book!
I loved this book when I was younger and would check it out from the library over and over. I had no idea there were other books in the series nor how to get them but I just loved it so much. I decided to reread it as a friend picked up a copy and would be reading it for the first time. I am so glad I did! It's such a lovely book and is a wild ride from beginning to end. It has everything you could want in a book and more. The writing style is definitely aimed at younger audiences, but I think the book is enjoyable for every age. It made me feel nostalgic for when I would read nothing but these kinds of stories. Overall, I really enjoyed this reread and I hope to finally read the second book!
Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation by Hannah Gadsby
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Ten Steps to Nanette is a memoir of sorts by Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby.
This is one of my favorite memoirs that I have read, and I LOVE memoirs. It is raw and funny and hard-hitting all at the same time. The author is brutally honest about who she is and what her life has been like: the realities of autism, being gay, and what it's like to be "different". Many parts of this book made me feel seen and understood and I enjoyed reading the parts that I couldn't relate to as it gave me more insight into this brilliant comedian. Hannah goes into many darker topics such as sexual assault, violence, homophobia, fatphobia, and misogyny, so do look up trigger warnings before reading. That being said, I do highly recommend this book.
This is one of my favorite memoirs that I have read, and I LOVE memoirs. It is raw and funny and hard-hitting all at the same time. The author is brutally honest about who she is and what her life has been like: the realities of autism, being gay, and what it's like to be "different". Many parts of this book made me feel seen and understood and I enjoyed reading the parts that I couldn't relate to as it gave me more insight into this brilliant comedian. Hannah goes into many darker topics such as sexual assault, violence, homophobia, fatphobia, and misogyny, so do look up trigger warnings before reading. That being said, I do highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ellie is tired of her weight being the only thing people notice about her. She is more than just her size. She is also tired of all the bullies in her life, including her mom. In this book, Ellie, with the help of her support system, learns to love herself and stand up against fat-shaming.
This is a hard book to read as it definitely rings true of what it's like to grow up as a larger person. It hurt my heart to hear the fatphobic comments made against Ellie because they are so similar to the ones I heard myself growing up. Ellie's relationship with her mother was the most difficult and accurate thing to read about. So many parents put such an emphasis on their child's body being the "right size" that it is no longer about health, it is only about weight. I think the book might feel a little over the top to those who did not experience this type of childhood, but in reality, it's very real experiences that are just condensed to fit in one book. This is unfortunately the reality for so many people.
I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator did an excellent job. She sounded the right age and helped the character of Ellie come to life. Overall, this was a good book and I hope that some kid somewhere reads this and is able to see themselves and learn from it, whether they relate to Ellie or they find themselves represented by the bullies. I also think this would be a good read for parents as well.
This is a hard book to read as it definitely rings true of what it's like to grow up as a larger person. It hurt my heart to hear the fatphobic comments made against Ellie because they are so similar to the ones I heard myself growing up. Ellie's relationship with her mother was the most difficult and accurate thing to read about. So many parents put such an emphasis on their child's body being the "right size" that it is no longer about health, it is only about weight. I think the book might feel a little over the top to those who did not experience this type of childhood, but in reality, it's very real experiences that are just condensed to fit in one book. This is unfortunately the reality for so many people.
I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator did an excellent job. She sounded the right age and helped the character of Ellie come to life. Overall, this was a good book and I hope that some kid somewhere reads this and is able to see themselves and learn from it, whether they relate to Ellie or they find themselves represented by the bullies. I also think this would be a good read for parents as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia