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elementarymydear's reviews
967 reviews
Something to be Proud of by Anna Zoe Quirke
5.0
For me this book perfectly encapsulated what queerness and inclusivity is all about. Anna Zoe Quirke has created a story and characters who are unapologetically queer, and passionate about fighting for rights not just for themselves but for others. So many queer spaces are constantly looking to be more inclusive and accessible, and this book tapped into that brilliantly.
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While the exposition was a little quick and clunky, once the story got going I was completely hooked. Imogen and Ollie are both really compelling narrators, and both their individual journeys as well as their friendship was a joy to read.
I particularly liked how Ollieās relationship to gender expression was explored. For me and, Iām sure, many others, one of the surprising things about coming out is how liberating it is in terms of how you dress, etc.. I thought it was discussed in a really great way, that felt very true to life and powerfully written.
While many queer spaces are as inclusive and accessible as Imogenās pride event is, many are not, and this book is a brilliant reminder of how inclusive spaces are not just important, but are also exciting and full of opportunity. Itās a reminder to think creatively about how we can make changes in our lives, big or small, to allow room for everyone to not just exist but to thrive. It couldnāt come at a better time.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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While the exposition was a little quick and clunky, once the story got going I was completely hooked. Imogen and Ollie are both really compelling narrators, and both their individual journeys as well as their friendship was a joy to read.
I particularly liked how Ollieās relationship to gender expression was explored. For me and, Iām sure, many others, one of the surprising things about coming out is how liberating it is in terms of how you dress, etc.. I thought it was discussed in a really great way, that felt very true to life and powerfully written.
While many queer spaces are as inclusive and accessible as Imogenās pride event is, many are not, and this book is a brilliant reminder of how inclusive spaces are not just important, but are also exciting and full of opportunity. Itās a reminder to think creatively about how we can make changes in our lives, big or small, to allow room for everyone to not just exist but to thrive. It couldnāt come at a better time.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
How to Solve Murders Like a Lady by Hannah Dolby
2.0
I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was looking forward to rejoining Violet in a follow-up adventure. Very soon, though, I started to wish I hadnāt.
The things that I didnāt like about the first book were out in full force. Violet has her moments of being embarrassingly naive, which very quickly became grating, and the mystery plot wasnāt strong or coherent enough to carry the book. I really liked the clear story and character arc (and how they were intertwined) in the first book, and that was lacking here.
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My favourite thing about the first book though, which thankfully was also my favourite thing about the second, is Violetās relationship with her parents. Her mother especially is such a great character, and I loved the scenes where they interact. I particularly liked how Violetās relationship with her father evolved in this book. They have a very complex relationship between the three of them and itās also fascinating to see it play out.
I canāt see myself continuing on with this series, but I hope that there is more character development and maturity from Violet as the series continues.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The things that I didnāt like about the first book were out in full force. Violet has her moments of being embarrassingly naive, which very quickly became grating, and the mystery plot wasnāt strong or coherent enough to carry the book. I really liked the clear story and character arc (and how they were intertwined) in the first book, and that was lacking here.
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My favourite thing about the first book though, which thankfully was also my favourite thing about the second, is Violetās relationship with her parents. Her mother especially is such a great character, and I loved the scenes where they interact. I particularly liked how Violetās relationship with her father evolved in this book. They have a very complex relationship between the three of them and itās also fascinating to see it play out.
I canāt see myself continuing on with this series, but I hope that there is more character development and maturity from Violet as the series continues.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Noah Frye Gets Crushed by Maggie Horne
3.0
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me, so letās start with the things I enjoyed!
The thing that stood out the most for me was the depiction of compulsory heterosexuality. I thought it was done really well, as we saw Noah pick a boy to āhave a crush onā, and look at her straight friends and try to copy the way they felt and acted about boys. Sometimes it lead to hilarious outcomes, sometimes heartbreaking, and I thought it was done really well.
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I also really liked the different relationships that Noah had with her friends and family. She has a strong (and true-to-life) relationship with her older sister, and all of the friendships were really sweet.
To be honest, the relationship with Jessa ā the girl she has a crush on ā was the most underwhelming. I didnāt really get a sense that Noah fancied her, or that the way she felt about Jessa was different than any of her other friends, until the very end. Mostly it came from other characters (such as Noahās sister suspecting she had a crush) rather than Noah herself, and I would have liked to see a bit more in the text.
With that came lower stakes for me in the story. I wasnāt particularly invested, and the book didnāt really engage me in the way I wanted it to.
There are some really great themes and ideas in this book, but overall I found it fell a little flat for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The thing that stood out the most for me was the depiction of compulsory heterosexuality. I thought it was done really well, as we saw Noah pick a boy to āhave a crush onā, and look at her straight friends and try to copy the way they felt and acted about boys. Sometimes it lead to hilarious outcomes, sometimes heartbreaking, and I thought it was done really well.
šBlogšYouTubešInstagramš
I also really liked the different relationships that Noah had with her friends and family. She has a strong (and true-to-life) relationship with her older sister, and all of the friendships were really sweet.
To be honest, the relationship with Jessa ā the girl she has a crush on ā was the most underwhelming. I didnāt really get a sense that Noah fancied her, or that the way she felt about Jessa was different than any of her other friends, until the very end. Mostly it came from other characters (such as Noahās sister suspecting she had a crush) rather than Noah herself, and I would have liked to see a bit more in the text.
With that came lower stakes for me in the story. I wasnāt particularly invested, and the book didnāt really engage me in the way I wanted it to.
There are some really great themes and ideas in this book, but overall I found it fell a little flat for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Code of the Vavasors by Jonathan Pinnock
4.0
Iām going to be honest: I didnāt know that this was a series when I started this book. I very quickly realised that this was in fact book 6, and I was filled with dread ā but it didnāt matter! I still really enjoyed the story and I got a great introduction to the characters and the world, while still getting a sense of the wider story that this was a part of.
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In many ways this book reminded me of the Rivers of London series, just without the magic. It had a strong sense of humour, a good cast of characters with a couple of core players and some others who pass in and out, and a wacky and slightly unhinged (in the best way) approach to the plot.
The maths elements were also a really fun addition. I love maths and Iāve never seen it mixed in with a book like this, but it was also done in a way that could appeal and make sense to those with less mathematical knowledge. Everything is explained between the characters in a way that includes the reader without slowing down the story.
I also really liked the authorās approach to diversity. There were characters of different races, sexualities and gender identities, but it was done in a way that felt very realistic and true to life. There wasnāt any fanfare about it, but it still affected the characterās lives in day-to-day ways.
This was a great read, and now Iām going to go and track down the first five books in the series!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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In many ways this book reminded me of the Rivers of London series, just without the magic. It had a strong sense of humour, a good cast of characters with a couple of core players and some others who pass in and out, and a wacky and slightly unhinged (in the best way) approach to the plot.
The maths elements were also a really fun addition. I love maths and Iāve never seen it mixed in with a book like this, but it was also done in a way that could appeal and make sense to those with less mathematical knowledge. Everything is explained between the characters in a way that includes the reader without slowing down the story.
I also really liked the authorās approach to diversity. There were characters of different races, sexualities and gender identities, but it was done in a way that felt very realistic and true to life. There wasnāt any fanfare about it, but it still affected the characterās lives in day-to-day ways.
This was a great read, and now Iām going to go and track down the first five books in the series!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell
4.0
When I started this book Iād been in a bit of a reading slump, but I finished this book in a single day, thatās how much I was gripped by the story! I couldnāt put it down, I kept saying to myself ājust one more chapterā because I was desperate to know what happened.
The book is a mix of genres, combining horror, mystery and historical fiction, and they all work brilliantly together. The historical setting sets the creepy atmosphere early on, and even before itās revealed there is a sense that there is something uncanny going on.
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It took a few chapters to settle into the story and the pacing, but once it got going there was no way I was getting off this train! There were also really strong feminist themes, which I particularly enjoyed, as the different female characters fought for their own agency and place in the world. I wonāt spoil the ending, but I will say that I found it chilling!
Overall this was an atmospheric, absorbing read, filled with unexpected turns.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The book is a mix of genres, combining horror, mystery and historical fiction, and they all work brilliantly together. The historical setting sets the creepy atmosphere early on, and even before itās revealed there is a sense that there is something uncanny going on.
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It took a few chapters to settle into the story and the pacing, but once it got going there was no way I was getting off this train! There were also really strong feminist themes, which I particularly enjoyed, as the different female characters fought for their own agency and place in the world. I wonāt spoil the ending, but I will say that I found it chilling!
Overall this was an atmospheric, absorbing read, filled with unexpected turns.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Upstaged by Robin Easter
4.0
This is such a sweet book, perfect for all the queer theatre kids out there!
The whole story is set at a performing arts summer camp, where theyāre putting on a Cinderella-inspired show called āEllaā. Our main character, Ash, is the stage manager, and they have a crush on their best friend, leading lady Ivy.
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I really liked the setting of the summer camp; the rehearsal and show process provided a really strong narrative, and there was that sense of excitement and camaraderie that felt really nostalgic as an adult reader.
I also loved how all the characters were able to exist without their identities being a central talking point. They were all able to live as their authentic selves, without comment or question, and I think itās so important to have books out there like this one for queer kids as theyāre growing up.
The real star of the book, of course, is the friendship-turned-romance between Ash and Ivy. They have such a lovely friendship, and it was so sweet to see them figure out their feelings for each other.
All of this is tied together with bright, vibrant artwork, that really completes the summer fun vibes. While the book is aimed at middle grade readers, I think thereās something for all ages to enjoy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The whole story is set at a performing arts summer camp, where theyāre putting on a Cinderella-inspired show called āEllaā. Our main character, Ash, is the stage manager, and they have a crush on their best friend, leading lady Ivy.
šBlogšYouTubešInstagramš
I really liked the setting of the summer camp; the rehearsal and show process provided a really strong narrative, and there was that sense of excitement and camaraderie that felt really nostalgic as an adult reader.
I also loved how all the characters were able to exist without their identities being a central talking point. They were all able to live as their authentic selves, without comment or question, and I think itās so important to have books out there like this one for queer kids as theyāre growing up.
The real star of the book, of course, is the friendship-turned-romance between Ash and Ivy. They have such a lovely friendship, and it was so sweet to see them figure out their feelings for each other.
All of this is tied together with bright, vibrant artwork, that really completes the summer fun vibes. While the book is aimed at middle grade readers, I think thereās something for all ages to enjoy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
4.0
This book delivers exactly what it says on the tin. Sapphic romance? Check! Cosy vibes? Check! Adventures with dragons? Check!
I loved the two main characters, Reyna and Kianthe. They were both great characters in their own right, but also complemented each other and were a great couple to have a centre of the story. It was also nice to have a romantic story where theyāre already together at the start.
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There was also a really fun fantasy adventure, and while it wasnāt the focal point of the story, it was a nice addition to give the story some drive and a nice conclusion.
An absolute gold star goes to the audiobook narrator, Jessica Threet. The commitment to this audiobook was honestly unmatched, she acted the absolute heck out of it, and really elevated the whole story.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I loved the two main characters, Reyna and Kianthe. They were both great characters in their own right, but also complemented each other and were a great couple to have a centre of the story. It was also nice to have a romantic story where theyāre already together at the start.
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There was also a really fun fantasy adventure, and while it wasnāt the focal point of the story, it was a nice addition to give the story some drive and a nice conclusion.
An absolute gold star goes to the audiobook narrator, Jessica Threet. The commitment to this audiobook was honestly unmatched, she acted the absolute heck out of it, and really elevated the whole story.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend by Dan Jones
4.0
Having read an enjoyed Queer Villains of Myth and Legend earlier this year, I was excited to read Jonesā earlier book about the corresponding heroes.
Weāre taken on a whistle-stop tour from antiquity through to Buffy, featuring mythological figures from different cultures around the world, and looking at how their queerness has been depicted and received over the years. There are some that most of us have heard of, some you probably havenāt, and overall a really great and varied selection.
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The tone is very light-hearted and sometime tongue-in-cheek, making it very accessible and the ideal book to dip in and out of. There are also a few illustrations which really enhance the book as a whole.
My biggest criticism is that there was no mention of asexuality, despite there being many opportunities too. There were multiple people ā mostly women ā where Jones concluded that their lack of desire was indicative that they were secretly gay, without even mentioning or considering asexuality. It would have been a great addition, not just because the asexual community are often passed over in any discussion of the LGBTQ+ community, but also that some of the characters were actually ones that many ace people identify with.
Jones is unable to resist the temptation to use modern terminology when looking at mythological figures (and some real people) from centuries ago, but given the light-hearted style of the whole book, if you can take this with a grain of salt it will be a very enjoyable and interesting read!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Weāre taken on a whistle-stop tour from antiquity through to Buffy, featuring mythological figures from different cultures around the world, and looking at how their queerness has been depicted and received over the years. There are some that most of us have heard of, some you probably havenāt, and overall a really great and varied selection.
šBlogšYouTubešInstagramš
The tone is very light-hearted and sometime tongue-in-cheek, making it very accessible and the ideal book to dip in and out of. There are also a few illustrations which really enhance the book as a whole.
My biggest criticism is that there was no mention of asexuality, despite there being many opportunities too. There were multiple people ā mostly women ā where Jones concluded that their lack of desire was indicative that they were secretly gay, without even mentioning or considering asexuality. It would have been a great addition, not just because the asexual community are often passed over in any discussion of the LGBTQ+ community, but also that some of the characters were actually ones that many ace people identify with.
Jones is unable to resist the temptation to use modern terminology when looking at mythological figures (and some real people) from centuries ago, but given the light-hearted style of the whole book, if you can take this with a grain of salt it will be a very enjoyable and interesting read!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Home I Find With You by Skye Kilaen
3.0
In The Home I Find With You, Skye Kilaen vividly depicts a near-future where the USA has been torn apart by civil war. The setting was written in such an immersive way that from the first page I was drawn into the world and into the story. There was a very immediate sense of the dangers faced by the characters, as well as how society works in this new landscape.
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I also thought that the setting worked really well with the polyamorous themes. In this world monogamy is no longer the default, and I thought it made for a really interesting approach to the different character dynamics. It changed the expectations the characters had for each other, which made for a fascinating and refreshing approach.
It was actually the romance itself which I didnāt enjoy so much in this book. I didnāt particularly root for the main couple, and quite often didnāt like Clark. I also didnāt find their dynamic the most convincing, which is a shame as I think if it had been done slightly different I would have found it very compelling.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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I also thought that the setting worked really well with the polyamorous themes. In this world monogamy is no longer the default, and I thought it made for a really interesting approach to the different character dynamics. It changed the expectations the characters had for each other, which made for a fascinating and refreshing approach.
It was actually the romance itself which I didnāt enjoy so much in this book. I didnāt particularly root for the main couple, and quite often didnāt like Clark. I also didnāt find their dynamic the most convincing, which is a shame as I think if it had been done slightly different I would have found it very compelling.
I received a free copy for an honest review.