lisacanteven's reviews
526 reviews

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr

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dark inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is a beautiful survivor story of friendship and strength. I really enjoyed the format with mixed media storytelling. The audio, read by the author, was fantastic. I listened in one afternoon.
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Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi

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

5.0

Please check the trigger warnings of this book and take them seriously.

Wow.
So many thoughts. No words though.
It is a beautifully horrid book, but I’m so glad I read it. It ended how it should. 


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The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

This was adorable and made me tear up. There was one part of the plot I didn’t like, otherwise it was a great cute story. I also loved the illustrations. 

The part I didn’t like is the whole “Frances is a secret” plot point. I didn’t feel like it got resolved other than Sebastian’s secret coming out.
Heat and Run by Adriana Herrera

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If you’re new to reading my reviews, I do not give erotica a star rating bc I’m not sure on how to judge it.

That being said omegaverse is not my thing. This is considered a chill omegaverse and I was still definitely not into it. I still love Adriana Herrera tho.

There are a ton of typos in this book, so do with that what you will.
The Deep by Rivers Solomon

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dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

HOLY SHIT! This book altered something in my brain chemistry. 

The first 30% was rough. I had no clue what was happening in the big picture, but I knew I was enjoying the beauty and flow of the writing enough to keep going despite how lost I was. I'm so glad I did because something clicked about 30% in and I was hooked. I read the last 70% of the book in two sittings. Rivers knows how to string beautifully stunning language together to make the most elaborate statements. I love their writing, and I cannot wait to read more as I work my way chronologically through their work. 
Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir by Kai Cheng Thom

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fast-paced

4.0

This is a novel, not a memoir. Even though it was not what I expected at all, I had a great time. 
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander

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funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

TJ Alexander writes another banger. I loved this one so much. I only couldn’t give it 5 stars, like I did for Triple Sec, because Nick and Eli didn’t spend enough time in the present together especially in the second half. I get it for the development, but I would have just enjoyed more pages in order to get more time. Watching them flirt did so much for my little demisexual heart.

I also would have loved to see more conversation around Nick’s demisexuality. I would really love to see how TJ could have written that convo bc they are so brilliant at writing communicative scenes. I spent a lot of the book excitedly waiting for that scene and was a little bummed to never get it. But I guess that is for a different book. 

Still will read everything and anything by TJ Alexander forever and always. Did you hear about their upcoming queer regency romance? I am giddy!
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You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón

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3.5

This is a lovely collection of poems written about the natural world. I thought all the poems were fine, but only a few stood out to me. 
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

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challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

As no surprise, this is a tough read. It’s emotional and raw. Octavia Butler never misses.
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

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dark tense 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

5.0

This book was unexpectedly wonderful. I had no idea what I was going into. I didn’t even know the genre, but I was so happy when it ended up being sci-fi that takes place on a ship hurdling towards the heavens. The writing was beautiful and haunting. If you have been enjoying the tv show, Silo, you will love this book.