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thaliareads's reviews
143 reviews
Abel by Katee Robert
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a cool read, absolutely on the darker side, with good purpose at its heart. Abel wants to make sure his family is able to safely return to Sabine Valley and that they are in a position where danger won't as easily find them. I appreciate that this one strayed away from a dubious consent. It looked like that might be the case, but they did it in a way where they were sure that everyone wanted to proceed. For sure a fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
This was a re-read for me. I read this a lot when I was younger but never listened to the audiobook. It was lots of fun and everything I'd expect from a Percy Jackson series. Also, Percy is back in this one so you know it'll be fun! Additionally, I love exploring Camp Jupiter and the system followed by the Roman demigods.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Dementia is actually the purposeful removal of memories from someone that they slowly must regain. All content still feels appropriate for a YA audience.
The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
This was another hit by Talia Hibbert for me. It was for sure an instant love situation which sometimes I don't enjoy as much because it tends to move fast, but in this case it was very fun. I especially enjoy a good fake dating story. The way it all came together in end really made it feel like it'll be a relationship that could truly work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
This book was a little on the darker side. It's been a bit since I read the book, I'm catching up on reviews, so I may have missed some content warnings.
Jane in Love by Rachel Givney
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
This was a really unique concept. I loved the idea of Jane Austen getting stuck in modern day. She was always an author who managed to feel relevant and modern despite writing in a completely different time. It was fun to imagine her really getting to experience how much more autonomy she'd have in today's world while also seeing all the problems in the current world that women face. It ended up being way more moving than I anticipated, and I'd absolutely recommend it to any fan of Austen's writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
It's possible I missed some content warnings since I'm catching up on reviews and it's been a few months since I read it.
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
This was such a fun read. I really liked seeing Numeir's history. It was a bit slow at first , and that actually kept me from finishing it the first few times I started. Now that I've actually finished it, I'm curious to see how it continues in the next book when it's out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Vomit, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Murder
This book is pretty dark. While it is for sure still YA appropriate it doesn't hide the horrors of plagues and of the medieval sort of lifestyle. There is also a lot of discussion on slavery as it's still present in the society despite certain individual's horrors at the practice. I might have missed a couple of content warnings as I read this a month ago and am catching up on reviews.
The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
As far as Arthurian retellings go, this has got to be one of my favorites. I love a good "disguises self as twin sibling to get to do a job I always wanted". I also can't get enough of poor disgruntled Arthur not understanding why he might have feelings for this new "boy" mage when he's never felt that way before. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a cuter adventure and romance and I can't wait to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Violence
I'm catching up on reviews, so might have missed some content warnings since it's been a bit since I read it. However, I think this was a pretty easy read in terms of the content.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
I found this book incredibly interesting. It did jump in a little fast, and I started the book a little lost. However, once I got farther in, it started to become more clear and easier to follow and I was absolutely invested. It is a really cool take on a Lord of the Flies retelling and was full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
A big part of this book is the fantastical style epidemic that has struck not only the people on the island, but also the plants and animals. This does lead to a lot of death and violence as there is no cure for the disease.
There are probably other content warnings associated with this book, but I'm behind on reviews and it's been a couple of months since I read the book, so I probably didn't remember them all.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
3.5
This was an interesting book. It was my first read by this author. While I didn't dislike the book, it just wasn't quite my taste. I do like a dark romance from time to time, but this one just felt too quick and easy and I just didn't feel like the characters felt right together. I'm probably going to give the other books a try to see if I prefer those, but I likely won't pick this one up again as soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Violence
This book is on the darker side, I'll admit I'm behind on reviews, so I likely missed some content warnings.
Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
This was one of the most interesting of the series so far. The politics and mechanisms at work in the background are really starting to develop and I'm curious to see who the real mastermind is.
Aside from that, I liked seeing the relationships develop between the four leads as they settled into their new roles and relationships.
Aside from that, I liked seeing the relationships develop between the four leads as they settled into their new roles and relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Domestic abuse/sexual assault refers to events that occurred in a character's childhood, not in the events of this book. However, it is discussed.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I don't remember where I read it, but trying to describe this book to a friend, I ran across a review that said that this is more of a people book than a science fiction book. I adored this book and while it had a cool science fiction setting, it was ultimately about the people on the journey, their interactions with each other, and their interactions with other species and crews.
I can't express enough appreciation for how cool it was just seeing all of the described species and all of their different cultures and the depth to which they are explored. It's absolutely wild.
I can't express enough appreciation for how cool it was just seeing all of the described species and all of their different cultures and the depth to which they are explored. It's absolutely wild.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Alcohol
I'm behind on reviews, so it's been a couple moths since I read this, and I wouldn't be surprised if I missed a content warning or two.