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hardcover_hazel's reviews
175 reviews
Weyward by Emilia Hart
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 stars ✨
"... spun from charm and flattery, as blinding and delicate as spider silk"
Weyward mixes green witchy (not halloween witchy) vibes and feminist themes that really entralls your senses.
You follow three women across five centuries, who are all related, and who's stories entertwine.
Overall, however, there is a lot of triggers, so definitely have a look at the warnings. There are a lot of power dynamics and graphic scenes. I didn't connect deeply with the characters - not due to situations or feelings, but because there seemed to be a very strong sense of continuing a bloodline which felt a bit overbearing at times. Perfectly understandable that they need to continue it to pass on their power, but still. The plot, while intricate and very challenging to weave five centuries together, felt a bit predictable.
That being said, this book definitely gives power to the earth and femininity. The writing does call to your senses with earthy tones, which I really enjoyed.
Definitely makes you want to go squint at the sun and listen to the birds more often.
"Perhaps one day, she said, there would be a safer time. When women could walk the earth, shining bright with power, and yet live."
"... spun from charm and flattery, as blinding and delicate as spider silk"
Weyward mixes green witchy (not halloween witchy) vibes and feminist themes that really entralls your senses.
You follow three women across five centuries, who are all related, and who's stories entertwine.
Overall, however, there is a lot of triggers, so definitely have a look at the warnings. There are a lot of power dynamics and graphic scenes. I didn't connect deeply with the characters - not due to situations or feelings, but because there seemed to be a very strong sense of continuing a bloodline which felt a bit overbearing at times. Perfectly understandable that they need to continue it to pass on their power, but still. The plot, while intricate and very challenging to weave five centuries together, felt a bit predictable.
That being said, this book definitely gives power to the earth and femininity. The writing does call to your senses with earthy tones, which I really enjoyed.
Definitely makes you want to go squint at the sun and listen to the birds more often.
"Perhaps one day, she said, there would be a safer time. When women could walk the earth, shining bright with power, and yet live."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
_"Burn before reading"_
This book follows two agents - Red and Blue. They are fighting each other in a war through time. The one belongs to Garden - agents more closely aligned with the duality of nature. The other belongs to Commandment - an unfeeling force of violence. They travel back and forth along braids and strands, slightly changing things or destroying whole worlds.
_"She applies jeweled lights and odd sounds. She wrinkles time. The world cracks through the middle."_
It all starts with a taunting letter. Enemy to enemy. They teach other things. Red has never written letters before and Blue encourages her to learn about them, about seals and waxes. Red sends her a letter in a literal seal 😆
_"I send you this letter on a falling star... I write in fire across the sky, a plummet to match your rise."_
They write in tea leaves, in the rings of trees, in the bubbles of water, the wings of dragonflies, the stings of bees.
_"Bees gathering memories from eyes and tongue, honey libraries dropping knowledge from the comb."_
If you're looking for a book that will consume you, wrap you in it's layers, and taste words, this science fiction enemies-to-lovers romance is the one.
"I'll be all the poets. I'll kill them all and take each one's place in turn, and every time love's written in all the strands, it will be to you."
This book is love letter. It is poetry.
_"P.S: I love writing in aftertaste."_
The Walking Dead, Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_"Instead, she felt splintered; like she became, in his hands, an infinite number of pieces, an entire infinity herself. Like she and eternity and omnipotence were the same"_
Bees. Hexagons. Art.
6 conversations with a stranger. 6 forms of use in art (lines, shapes, etc. Something Regan used to believe was so limited). 6 because of hexagons. The perfect shape in nature, the one Aldo believes time travels through. Made perfect by bees.
6 conversations with a stranger. 6 forms of use in art (lines, shapes, etc. Something Regan used to believe was so limited). 6 because of hexagons. The perfect shape in nature, the one Aldo believes time travels through. Made perfect by bees.
_"If this is what it is to burn, he thought, then I will be worth more as scattered ash than any of my unscathed pieces"_
This is an unhealthy love story. It's full of co-dependency, compulsion, obsession. But the characters don't care. They burn for each other.
Regan is a forger. She disguises herself, pretending to be a different version for when it is required. Forgery requires precession, not art. Until Aldo sees the artist beneath it all.
Aldo is obsessed with time. Trying to solve impossible puzzles. Or maybe not solve, love the possibility of solving. Which is probably why he loves her mind so much.
They both think of time differently. Regan, as different dimensions split based on compulsive or spontaneous decisions. Aldo as a coping mechanism, something that found him that will always be around.
_"Ether was what they called the air in the realm of the gods... So when people say we're alone in the ether... Alone in everything. In time, and space, in existence, in religion."_
Aldo will spend a lifetime trying to explain everything about the world. Regan has painted it for him as a love letter.
_"This is what it looks like to love you; it looks like an abyss but it isn't, don't you understand? Falling comes with danger, Aldo, but not us. Not us, we float."_
They burn each other. They ignite each other. But they're two different things.
Alone with you in the Ether was a beautiful read. Olivie writes beautifully 😭 the words come alive on the page, mixing with honey for you to swallow.
5/5 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 ✨
"It should also be noted that, on matters both big and small, sometimes accounts of the same event differ. The truth often lies, unclaimed, in the middle."
This is not a happy book. This is a book of longing, angst, love, struggle - rock 'n roll.
** Please read the trigger warnings before reading **
I loved this book. I loved the transcript style. I loved the raw emotion. I loved the way the characters seemed so real. I so badly wanted to go listen to their music 😂 (and a song released in preparation for the miniseries while I was reading which is just so cool). I love how TJR just knows how to make me cry.
The reason why it's not getting 5 stars from me is because it seems to be building up to this one last show, and it's a bit anticlimactic. BUT I still loved how it was done - with lessons that characters pass on to others that you can apply in your own life.
The characters in the book aren't perfect, and you don't fall in love with them. What you fall in love with is their emotions. How more real that feels. The difficult decisions that were made.
TJR even wrote the songs for their album at the back!! How amazing. I love that, I love finding the hidden meanings and stories behind each song.
I also loved that some stories didn't completely match up. Like how someone made a bet but both parties remembered winning 😂. Or how something was done but the was good reasoning behind it that others didn't know or understand. It really adds a touch to making the whole thing feel more real. How the truth often lies, unclaimed, in the middle.
"It should also be noted that, on matters both big and small, sometimes accounts of the same event differ. The truth often lies, unclaimed, in the middle."
This is not a happy book. This is a book of longing, angst, love, struggle - rock 'n roll.
** Please read the trigger warnings before reading **
I loved this book. I loved the transcript style. I loved the raw emotion. I loved the way the characters seemed so real. I so badly wanted to go listen to their music 😂 (and a song released in preparation for the miniseries while I was reading which is just so cool). I love how TJR just knows how to make me cry.
The reason why it's not getting 5 stars from me is because it seems to be building up to this one last show, and it's a bit anticlimactic. BUT I still loved how it was done - with lessons that characters pass on to others that you can apply in your own life.
The characters in the book aren't perfect, and you don't fall in love with them. What you fall in love with is their emotions. How more real that feels. The difficult decisions that were made.
TJR even wrote the songs for their album at the back!! How amazing. I love that, I love finding the hidden meanings and stories behind each song.
I also loved that some stories didn't completely match up. Like how someone made a bet but both parties remembered winning 😂. Or how something was done but the was good reasoning behind it that others didn't know or understand. It really adds a touch to making the whole thing feel more real. How the truth often lies, unclaimed, in the middle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Blood, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
I used to love watching this movie as a kid, and I'd often go out and play in our own garden pretending it was secret. Like I'd stepped into my own world of magic.
Reading this as an adult, it is such a good reminder to stop and smell the roses. To spend time in nature, to be present, to draw good energy towards you.
I loved reading about the character development in the story, and how the simple things in life (helping things grow, being outside, laughing) can change perspectives and help heal you.
Reading this as an adult, it is such a good reminder to stop and smell the roses. To spend time in nature, to be present, to draw good energy towards you.
I loved reading about the character development in the story, and how the simple things in life (helping things grow, being outside, laughing) can change perspectives and help heal you.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Hello, Little Bird."
Last night I finished my first read of the year and it was delicious!!! Would not be surprised if it ends up being the best read of the year.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The words in this book are weaved like magic I swear. It's essentially a murder mystery gothic romance set in the 1800s that deals with life and death themes... with a tiny sprinkle of spice.
I am a SUCKER for dualities and polarities. I think it's often because they are actually so contrastingly similar. So the life/death duality had me wanting more.
"For as long as Signa Farrow has been alive, the people in her life have fallen like stars"
Honeyed voices, bitter tastes; night itself reflected in eyes, tracing silk lace.
Again: delicious.
Thanks for making me cave for this one, Bookstagram
Last night I finished my first read of the year and it was delicious!!! Would not be surprised if it ends up being the best read of the year.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The words in this book are weaved like magic I swear. It's essentially a murder mystery gothic romance set in the 1800s that deals with life and death themes... with a tiny sprinkle of spice.
I am a SUCKER for dualities and polarities. I think it's often because they are actually so contrastingly similar. So the life/death duality had me wanting more.
"For as long as Signa Farrow has been alive, the people in her life have fallen like stars"
Honeyed voices, bitter tastes; night itself reflected in eyes, tracing silk lace.
Again: delicious.
Thanks for making me cave for this one, Bookstagram