Scan barcode
lyonsdenprojects's reviews
118 reviews
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is amazing! I think it might be my favorite interpretation of Peter Pan EVER. I love the atmosphere of the writing. I generally had no idea this book had such a delightfully creepy edge to it when I picked it up. Aiden Thomas is now absolutely among my favorite writers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
This book is so wonderfully magical. It has a beautiful take on magical realism and mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. I adored it so much, I need to get more of this author's books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Confinement
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
This book ended up surprising me. At first I didn't understand the purpose of jumping back and forth between present and past. I actually found the present plot line a bit boring and would have rathered read an entire book about the past plotline. But as I kept reading, as the author's writing style is incredibly engaging and easy to consume quickly, I found myself deeply appreciating the parallels between the two plots and how Caroline came to rediscover herself through learning the story of her historical counterparts.
This is a wonderful book for remembering to take time for what things we live most.
This is a wonderful book for remembering to take time for what things we live most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Pedophilia
All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
I love this writer's work so much. I love how deeply rooted in Irish culture and history her work is, especially this book. It highlights the atrocities that women have been subjected to in modern Irish history since the English occupation in a way that is captivating without being so graphic that it's off putting. The empathy she develops with the ancestors of the main character is so heart grabbing that I ended up staying up way late just to finish the book. This is a definite must read.
I also especially love how this author writes magic into her books. It's this beautiful realism that sometimes has scientific explanations and sometimes is just ephemeral enough to make you wonder if it really happened or the characters just saw it in their own mind. I love it.
I also especially love how this author writes magic into her books. It's this beautiful realism that sometimes has scientific explanations and sometimes is just ephemeral enough to make you wonder if it really happened or the characters just saw it in their own mind. I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Grief, and Abortion
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Incest, Pedophilia, and Death of parent
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
I love this story, the flow of the words, the characters, and the mythology of the world it is set it! The romance and character growth of the characters is so intriguing, it captured my attention from the first page and didn't let go. I need to get the second book!
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
I love this story, the flow of the words, the characters, and the mythology of the world it is set it! The romance and character growth of the characters is so intriguing, it captured my attention from the first page and didn't let go. I need to get the second book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Miscarriage
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Grief
Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
This is the most delightful and wholesome story! It's like Sailor Moon meets the Orishas. I just love the characters, the worldbuilding, and the tale of Maya discovering her own strength and that she has the best support system anyone could ask for.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I love Arthurian lore. I've written papers on it, taken extra classes on it, etc. I LOVED this book! I adored this retelling of it. The author is very well versed in the lore herself and blends it so fascinatingly well with American history that it takes on a unique life of it's own in this book. The characters are all so interesting and lovable. I have adopted Selwyn into my Grumpy-Emo-Sons club (he sits between Megumi from JJK and Kaz).
I think what I touched me the most about this story truly, is it's theme of reclamation. At it's heart, that's what it's most about. Reclamation of self, of ancestry, of taking up space in a white, southern, toxic patriarchy. The plot twist is SO AMAZING in it's complicated emotions. I cheered, and then I cried, I soaked in Bree's bittersweet emotions.
I could rant about this book for ages. I NEED THE SEQUEL LIKE I NEED AIR! Just read it.
I think what I touched me the most about this story truly, is it's theme of reclamation. At it's heart, that's what it's most about. Reclamation of self, of ancestry, of taking up space in a white, southern, toxic patriarchy. The plot twist is SO AMAZING in it's complicated emotions. I cheered, and then I cried, I soaked in Bree's bittersweet emotions.
I could rant about this book for ages. I NEED THE SEQUEL LIKE I NEED AIR! Just read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and Death of parent