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lowkeymarie's reviews
557 reviews
Eternally Yours by Patrice Caldwell
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
2.5 I don't think I realized this was YA when I put it on hold tbh, so that's on me. 😅 Most of the stories were just so-so, but the Casey McQuiston story was fantastic! The other stand-out was by Marie Rutkoski, who I plan on checking out more from soon.
Ace Voices: What it Means to Be Asexual, Aromantic, Demi or Grey-Ace by Eris Young
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
2.75
Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy!
First, let me be clear that I am not a member of the a-spec community, so please weigh this review with that in mind!
From the description and title, I was under the impression that this would be an essay collection, but it's more like a series of articles with the author using anonymous survey responses to support their topics. In my opinion, that format wasn't particularly well-utilized here. The quotes/responses often felt very "tacked on" and the author's system of using randomized initials instead of real names or pseudonyms felt very impersonal and awkward, not to mention occasionally confusing. Obviously I respect the desire to protect the respondent's privacy, but I think it would have been a lot more readable to use pseudonyms, as well as being easier to feel a connection to their stories.
I did appreciate getting a deeper look into aromanticism, as that's so often overshadowed by the ace side of things. And I think if you are a new to an ace/aro identity, or are questioning, this could be a helpful tool for exploring that.
First, let me be clear that I am not a member of the a-spec community, so please weigh this review with that in mind!
From the description and title, I was under the impression that this would be an essay collection, but it's more like a series of articles with the author using anonymous survey responses to support their topics. In my opinion, that format wasn't particularly well-utilized here. The quotes/responses often felt very "tacked on" and the author's system of using randomized initials instead of real names or pseudonyms felt very impersonal and awkward, not to mention occasionally confusing. Obviously I respect the desire to protect the respondent's privacy, but I think it would have been a lot more readable to use pseudonyms, as well as being easier to feel a connection to their stories.
I did appreciate getting a deeper look into aromanticism, as that's so often overshadowed by the ace side of things. And I think if you are a new to an ace/aro identity, or are questioning, this could be a helpful tool for exploring that.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
This one took a little bit for me to really get into. Not sure if that was the pacing, or just me having to adjust to the Russian/ish language (my brain gets hung up on not knowing the correct pronunciation of things, anyone else?).
But once I got into the ~vibes~ of it all, wow. The writing and setting are so atmospheric, and the author really nailed the fairytale feel of it. Vasya is also a fantastic main character! So warm, with so much love for her family, but also courageous and unapologetically herself.
I'm very curious to see what other adventures our heroine gets up to in the next installments, as this was a very neatly-contained story... 🤔
But once I got into the ~vibes~ of it all, wow. The writing and setting are so atmospheric, and the author really nailed the fairytale feel of it. Vasya is also a fantastic main character! So warm, with so much love for her family, but also courageous and unapologetically herself.
I'm very curious to see what other adventures our heroine gets up to in the next installments, as this was a very neatly-contained story... 🤔
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Child death
The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
2.5
This was an impulse pick up from my library because fat rep in rom-coms does a body good. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed by it. 😞
Some of the reasons it didn't work for me was just personal taste. I don't really care for or relate to academia as a setting, and there was a lot of details and references to medieval literature that didn't land for me (and I imagine won't land for most readers tbh).
But I also don't feel like the author sold me on the love interest's character growth that happened off-page before the book starts. Because the book is only from the main character's PoV, all we see is the flashbacks of him being a shit-weasel in the past, juxtaposed with him being...decent, I guess? in the current day. But like, we don't really get a satisfying enough look into what that journey looked like for him and how he felt about our main character then vs now.
So, as I was plodding along in the book, I was getting 3-star vibes the whole way...until we get to the big conflict. And, spoiler:
The thing you're led to believe he did is so fucking egregious and unforgiveable, only to have it revealed after the big blowout breakup that...IT WAS A FUCKING MISCOMMUNICATION. And the really dumb, annoying kind where it is absurd that no one just says what the thing is, even coincidentally. Like, the author has to write around them just blurting it out because it's such a basic misunderstanding.
Okay, I'll say something nice to wrap up. I really liked the main character's family stuff going on in the background of this iffy romance, and how Allison stood up for herself to both her parents for different but related reasons. There was also a little mention early on that Allison has a thyroid disorder and she's been fat pretty much her whole life, which I really appreciated. Not that any of us should have to justify or explain our bodies existing any which way, but as someone with PCOS who is finally on the long, winding path to accepting her size, I really felt seen in that little moment. 😌
Some of the reasons it didn't work for me was just personal taste. I don't really care for or relate to academia as a setting, and there was a lot of details and references to medieval literature that didn't land for me (and I imagine won't land for most readers tbh).
But I also don't feel like the author sold me on the love interest's character growth that happened off-page before the book starts. Because the book is only from the main character's PoV, all we see is the flashbacks of him being a shit-weasel in the past, juxtaposed with him being...decent, I guess? in the current day. But like, we don't really get a satisfying enough look into what that journey looked like for him and how he felt about our main character then vs now.
So, as I was plodding along in the book, I was getting 3-star vibes the whole way...until we get to the big conflict. And, spoiler:
Okay, I'll say something nice to wrap up. I really liked the main character's family stuff going on in the background of this iffy romance, and how Allison stood up for herself to both her parents for different but related reasons. There was also a little mention early on that Allison has a thyroid disorder and she's been fat pretty much her whole life, which I really appreciated. Not that any of us should have to justify or explain our bodies existing any which way, but as someone with PCOS who is finally on the long, winding path to accepting her size, I really felt seen in that little moment. 😌
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Death of parent
Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
What an ending! 😳😳😳
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this probably would have been more like a 3-3.5 if I had read the book with my eyes instead of listening to the audiobook. The narrator was fantastic! She did such a good job distinguishing all the characters and nailed all the comic timing perfectly.
The story itself was highly enjoyable, and had me chuckling to myself frequently. But it also had a lot more heart than I was expecting. Definitely looking forward to what future hijinks these kids get up to in the next installment.
I will say it could have used a bit of whittling down, felt a bit overstuffed by the end. And I did NOT care for all the fatphobic bullshit surrounding the policeman character. One or two little comments about wanting to get back in shape, sure, whatever. But like every damn scene he's in there's something about his fucking weight, and towards the end his partner food shames him because he starts to eat a candy bar at the end of a long day. Give it a fucking rest.
The story itself was highly enjoyable, and had me chuckling to myself frequently. But it also had a lot more heart than I was expecting. Definitely looking forward to what future hijinks these kids get up to in the next installment.
I will say it could have used a bit of whittling down, felt a bit overstuffed by the end. And I did NOT care for all the fatphobic bullshit surrounding the policeman character. One or two little comments about wanting to get back in shape, sure, whatever. But like every damn scene he's in there's something about his fucking weight, and towards the end his partner food shames him because he starts to eat a candy bar at the end of a long day. Give it a fucking rest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia
The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts by Christopher Bigsby, Arthur Miller
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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 is about...well, a lesbian going to catholic school. But it's also so much more than that. There are complicated family dynamics, a beautiful sibling relationship, messy friendships, and a lot of tough topics that are handled fearlessly but with compassion.
I saw right before I started reading it that it's a finalist for the 2022 National Book Awards (Young People's Literature), and it absolutely deserves the honor. 👏😭
I saw right before I started reading it that it's a finalist for the 2022 National Book Awards (Young People's Literature), and it absolutely deserves the honor. 👏😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Deportation
Minor: Blood
The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was really gripping in the first half and then it just kind of ran out of steam for me. I also didn't care for the romantic aspect of the story. But I definitely see how others might enjoy this a lot more than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use and Death of parent
What We Fed to the Manticore by Talia Lakshmi Kolluri
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5/5 This review is for the audiobook.
This is an anthology of short stories from the point of view of various animals. It's always difficult to rate anthologies since inevitably, some will work for you and others not so much. I loved both the first and last stories, The Good Donkey and Let Your Body Meet the Ground, respectively, with a couple other standouts as well.
The writing was beautiful and lyrical in some stories, and lighthearted and charming in others. The female narrator, Nikki Massoud, in particular, did an outstanding job bringing the words and characters to life, and I will be on the lookout for more audiobooks narrated by her. Also interested to see what else the author puts out in the future.
This is an anthology of short stories from the point of view of various animals. It's always difficult to rate anthologies since inevitably, some will work for you and others not so much. I loved both the first and last stories, The Good Donkey and Let Your Body Meet the Ground, respectively, with a couple other standouts as well.
The writing was beautiful and lyrical in some stories, and lighthearted and charming in others. The female narrator, Nikki Massoud, in particular, did an outstanding job bringing the words and characters to life, and I will be on the lookout for more audiobooks narrated by her. Also interested to see what else the author puts out in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death