Scan barcode
sara_m_martins's reviews
331 reviews
The Misadventures of an Amateur Naturalist by Ceinwen Langley
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
a great mix of academia x cottagecore vibes, with fantasy meeting science. sapphics set in 18th/19th century france! animal friends! what's not to love?
It's been a while since a book gripped me this much!
It was a completely different plot from what i had imagined (more of the set-up to that plot), but i loved the story nonetheless, and i cannot wait for the rest of the series!!! I have fallen in love with these characters and i will be living vicariously through them, thank yew.
I think the story/writing is very atmospheric and i really enjoyed the pacing as well.
apparently (reading other reviews) everyone went into this counting on a "beauty and beast" retelling - but i did not; i only noticed halfway through - i would argue that it borrows many elements, but i don't know if it counts as a strict retelling - which i prefer, tbqh!
also if you love to piece together the mystery before the MC, this is perfect for you (get it together, celeste!!)
The biggest downside on this book, imo, is although the woman and queer representation is great, there is a lack of other types of rep. I hope this gets better in future installments of the series.
Representation: Sapphic characters, GNC characters, Achillean characters (mention).
CW: Gore, Blood, Animal death, Death in Childbirth, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Homophobia
It's been a while since a book gripped me this much!
It was a completely different plot from what i had imagined (more of the set-up to that plot), but i loved the story nonetheless, and i cannot wait for the rest of the series!!! I have fallen in love with these characters and i will be living vicariously through them, thank yew.
I think the story/writing is very atmospheric and i really enjoyed the pacing as well.
apparently (reading other reviews) everyone went into this counting on a "beauty and beast" retelling - but i did not; i only noticed halfway through - i would argue that it borrows many elements, but i don't know if it counts as a strict retelling - which i prefer, tbqh!
also if you love to piece together the mystery before the MC, this is perfect for you (get it together, celeste!!)
The biggest downside on this book, imo, is although the woman and queer representation is great, there is a lack of other types of rep. I hope this gets better in future installments of the series.
Representation: Sapphic characters, GNC characters, Achillean characters (mention).
CW:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
thats the art of getting by by sarewolf
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
A History of Art in 21 Cats by Nia Gould
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
great light-hearted introduction to well-known art movements
I'd Rather Be Reading by Guinevere De La Mare
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
skimmed on scribd. would not bother buying it
We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
a messy, sometimes uncomfortable, portrayal of queerness and figuring yourself out.
sad to see that many of the low ratings come from this being "problematic" - when it just isn't your clean-cut, friendly-easy-read queer story. "we are totally normal" represents (some of) the horrible, messy, confusing, closed-circle-thought-trains bits and parts of figuring yourself out admist internalized homophobia.
there's a lot of conversations about broadening what type of queer stories get told and this is one of those messy queer stories that should be out there.
the first few chapters have weird pacing, but as the author set up the scene to explore the book's themes, i think it got better
sad to see that many of the low ratings come from this being "problematic" - when it just isn't your clean-cut, friendly-easy-read queer story. "we are totally normal" represents (some of) the horrible, messy, confusing, closed-circle-thought-trains bits and parts of figuring yourself out admist internalized homophobia.
there's a lot of conversations about broadening what type of queer stories get told and this is one of those messy queer stories that should be out there.
the first few chapters have weird pacing, but as the author set up the scene to explore the book's themes, i think it got better
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Sexual content
f slur said (by queer character), minors using alcohol and drugs, internalized homophobia
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
i'm terribly sorry, janey, but i simply could not do it
The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Sami and I emerge from the bathroom at dawn, just as Teta is fixing herself a cup of tea and settling into her easy chair. She motions me over, and I pull away from Sami and come.
“You remind me of someone I used to know.” Teta runs her hands over my fade and through the short curls on top.
I bow my head under her hands. “I couldn’t do it anymore, Teta.”
“My storm of the storms.” She tips the top of my head toward her and kisses it. “You never had to try.”