silverliningsandpages's reviews
379 reviews

Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

4.0

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

Scrublands by Chris Hammer

medium-paced

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

1.0

Requiem for a Wren by Nevil Shute

adventurous emotional mysterious sad slow-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

3.0

The Bird Tribunal by Agnes Ravatn

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

On the Beach by Nevil Shute

dark emotional reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

West by Carys Davies

dark reflective sad slow-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

3.0

Winter People by Gráinne Murphy

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Milk Teeth by Jessica Andrews

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

In Every Mirror She's Black by Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström

informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

In Every Mirror She’s Black is a compelling literary fiction about what it means to be a Black woman in a society dominated by white people. 

The story follows three women: disillusioned Kemi, who moves from America to Sweden to take up a high profile as Diversity and Inclusion Director; Brittany-Rae, once a super model and now a flight attendant who chases freedom and financial security; and traumatised refugee Muna who lost her family crossing the Mediterranean who is seeking a new start. 

This novel offers a fascinating commentary and fresh perspective on bias, racism, tokenism, fetishism, immigration and otherness. Ultimately it’s about breaking free from societal expectations, realising ambitions and the universal desire to belong.  The opening credits of the book are particularly poignant and capture the essence of the story:

“To anyone who has ever felt unappreciated, uninvited, or invisible…Your voice is more powerful than you think.  You are allowed to exist without explanation.  Never let the world convince you that your struggles are invalid.”

I wasn’t entirely convinced by one of the subplots but this is a very ambitious and assured debut; I’ll be waiting to see what author Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström writes next.  

4/5 🌟