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micaelamariem's reviews
724 reviews
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was mind-blowing. I’ve always been interested in string theory on a very basic level and that’s what this book plays around with. What if there’s a version of us for every decision we make? What if there is an infinity of universes out there? I loved the thrill of watching the character grapple with this. The characters were multifaceted. And there’s a word limit on here now so I guess that’s it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
The Saints of Swallow Hill by Donna Everhart
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
There’s no denying this is a powerful book and it felt like I was reading a classic.
Problem was…it felt like I was reading a classic. It was slow reading, some things hard to parse through because I felt like I was missing something. There is a lot of trauma, sexism, racism, and torture in this book to provide an accurate representation of the 1930s Deep South, but that also meant I could only take so much of it at a time.
While some of the characters were certainly admirable in standing up for both justice and mercy, learning to forgive themselves and move forward, I still also had a hard time reading about these white characters side by side with black characters who were treated even more poorly. I get that’s part of the point, but I was more interested in their point of view and their hope.
I don’t know, I just had a bit of a hard time with this one. But it was still well done.
Problem was…it felt like I was reading a classic. It was slow reading, some things hard to parse through because I felt like I was missing something. There is a lot of trauma, sexism, racism, and torture in this book to provide an accurate representation of the 1930s Deep South, but that also meant I could only take so much of it at a time.
While some of the characters were certainly admirable in standing up for both justice and mercy, learning to forgive themselves and move forward, I still also had a hard time reading about these white characters side by side with black characters who were treated even more poorly. I get that’s part of the point, but I was more interested in their point of view and their hope.
I don’t know, I just had a bit of a hard time with this one. But it was still well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Pregnancy
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I adored this book! It was the perfect touch of whimsical while still revealing important lessons with quirky characters. The descriptions were vivid and the dialogue fun.
My one critique is that I think some of the turnaround (or bubble popping) in characters happened a bit too quickly.
Otherwise it was a great book!
My one critique is that I think some of the turnaround (or bubble popping) in characters happened a bit too quickly.
Otherwise it was a great book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Cursing
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Fire/Fire injury
Happy Place by Emily Henry
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
4.0
This was such a heartwarming book. I love the theme, an important life lesson of letting yourself be vulnerable to the people you love. The travel aspect I always love and I’m a sucker for a found family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Song of the Forever Rains by E.J. Mellow
adventurous
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? No
3.0
I was drawn in by the pretty cover and convincing blurb. The writing style was so prosaic and beautiful at first that it had me hooked for a while. Then it kind of fell flat. I think my first disappointment was that for something that’s labeled a “dark fantasy” it really wasn’t all that dark. The characters made choices that rendered them more like YA characters than adult characters (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I found it to be unbelievable for their experience and circumstances). I think the dialogue tags ruined the dialogue as well. Their spoken words alone were fine but when added with these adult women “grumbling” and “puffing” while trying fight against certain death, it just doesn’t feel like the right timing.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ahhhhh! I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this! It was a slow start for sure but that made me appreciate the characters for who they were and the writing style as well. I love the “you’ve got mail” type of concept (but make it ✨ magic ✨). I also appreciated the World War Two parallels—the propaganda, the banning of music, the bombs and bunkers, the sirens. It was like looking at history with a fantasy lens in a fantasy world. The friendships were heartwarming and the romance adorable.
And the cliffhanger plot twist ending??? I need more omg. I’m so nervous for these cinnamon roll characters and there are still so many questions I have about the war and the myths and the impeccable Worldbuilding. I need the sequel now.
And the cliffhanger plot twist ending??? I need more omg. I’m so nervous for these cinnamon roll characters and there are still so many questions I have about the war and the myths and the impeccable Worldbuilding. I need the sequel now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What the Fireflies Knewby Kai Harris, published by Tiny Reparations Books, is a literary coming-of-age fiction set in 1995 Michigan. After ten-year-old narrator K.B.'s dad dies of a drug overdoes, she and her sister, Nia, are sent to spend the summer with their grandfather, with no knowledge of where their mom is going or if she's coming back. For K.B., the summer is about healing from the grief and hurt of a separated family, and possibly finding a way back to the family she does have.
I love that we read this story through the lens of a ten-year-old girl. I think the narration captures not only the hurt of the family, but through a special kind of innocence and confusion as she navigates darker topics. While there are many stories out there that delve into childhood trauma, I also think the important thing that Harris portrays--and that she seems very passionate about portraying--was the Black experience through this trauma. We see K.B. heal from hurt and grief but discover other dark things in the world such as racism and harmful sexual behaviors.
“It’s like I’m standing in a field full of fireflies, struggling to catch ’em all, when really, I just gotta slow down and catch one.”
There is strong character development throughout the story. The main character, K.B, learns the secrets of the family and must grow up over the summer, but also learns how people can move on from hurt. Her older sister learns much the same, and the relationship between the two, from distance and hate back to love, is a heartwarming one. In fact, that seems to be the main theme of the story--moving on from hurt and reaching out to those who love you, even when they make mistakes.
As most character driven novels, this book can--and did for me--elicit a strong emotional response. There are many times when my heart broke for this family and some times when my heart soared for K.B. I didn't physically cry--but I certainly came close.
My main critique of the book would be how quickly it ended. After a slow pace (fitting in a character driven novel), it seemed like the ending was rushed, as if the author had to quickly wrap it up. Since the novel didn't quite reach 300 pages, I do think Harris could have taken a little more time to reunite the family and bring everything to a close.
Despite this, I did very much like the novel. It was fresh, propelling, and most importantly, offered themes and lessons that are necessary: to know we are all flawed but must work through the flaws to forgive the hurt. I would ultimately give this book four stars on a five star scale system. I would recommend this to those who like character driven novels, coming of age novels, literary fiction, or those who loved Toni Morrison as she was an inspiration for this author and the book is reminiscent of Morrison's works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m going on the higher side of my rating because I was pleased at the ending. And because I miss England.
But the main character was insufferable. She was a terrible friend. It’s fine for a teenage girl to be “boy crazy”; that’s developmentally normal. But I hate how she sacrificed herself for it. I do like she at least had a gardening hobby and wish the book delved even more into that to give her a better personality.
Also, the British guys in the book were so stereotypical and weird 😂 so unbelievable.
It was a sort of fun read, and I think that’s mostly because the side characters, the character’s friends really made the book. They should’ve been the main character. Would have been way more interesting.
But the main character was insufferable. She was a terrible friend. It’s fine for a teenage girl to be “boy crazy”; that’s developmentally normal. But I hate how she sacrificed herself for it. I do like she at least had a gardening hobby and wish the book delved even more into that to give her a better personality.
Also, the British guys in the book were so stereotypical and weird 😂 so unbelievable.
It was a sort of fun read, and I think that’s mostly because the side characters, the character’s friends really made the book. They should’ve been the main character. Would have been way more interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was such a let down from how much I enjoyed the rest of the series. The majority of the book is Mare being trapped in a room and just wallowing about it, which was incredibly boring.
I didn’t think her torture was as dramatic as it should’ve been.
The twist towards the middle and end was interesting but it needed more. As it stands, this book did not need to be 500 pages.
Also wtf was that weird bathroom scene
I didn’t think her torture was as dramatic as it should’ve been.
The twist towards the middle and end was interesting but it needed more. As it stands, this book did not need to be 500 pages.
Also wtf was that weird bathroom scene
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism