lyzz's reviews
995 reviews

Galatea by Madeline Miller

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Just a Girl by Alyssa Cole

challenging dark mysterious sad tense 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? No

4.5

This story is told using an epistolary format which includes TikTok transcripts. While fictional, this short story showed the ugly side of the man-o-sphere.  

Slot Machine Fever Dreams by Chris Bohjalian

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

3.25

I loved the Las Vegas setting of this book.  

The Heart of a Mother by Julie Clark

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This story had great pacing and so much suspense. I enjoyed it immensely.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion

Everything Is OK by Debbie Tung

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Nailbiter Vol. 2: Bloody Hands by Joshua Williamson

adventurous challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I thought the first three issues in this compendium were fun background but the story did not start advancing till the end of the 8th issue.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Child death

A Year of Crochet Stitches: A Stitch-a-Day Perpetual Calendar by Jill Wright

informative fast-paced

5.0

This is a perpetual calendar with each day focusing on a different crochet stitch. I really like that this is a perpetual calendar that I can use for a long time and use as a reference.  

I started crocheting in November 2022 with a Wobbles kit.  I have focused on making amigurumi which uses about ten different stitches. I had **NO** idea that there were this many stitches possible - let alone enough for an entire calendar.  

I love how this calendar has a different focus each month.  For example, February has a focus on bobble stitches. It also appears as though the stitches get more and more difficult throughout the year.  
 
I am planning on buying the spiral bound version of this (I reviewed an electronic copy.) to begin using in 2024!

Choice by Jodi Picoult

adventurous dark funny informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

I loved this audio novella! All of a sudden men wake up with the ability to become pregnant.  The premise was so fascinating.  I loved all the sociopolitical discussion that occurs as a result of this book. 
However, this short book tried to cover too much ground.  It focused on too many characters so I felt like I never got a great resolution with any of the stories. I would love to see this world full realized.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Misogyny, Abortion, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Murder at the Royal Ruby by Nita Prose

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense 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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Murder