TW: HP references and mention of JKR, bullying, ableism (and internalised ableism), anxiety, sexism and misogy

This story had great bits i loved, and at times crawled or felt to flesh out unnecessary moments instead of more important characters. Overall it was enjoyable, but the two areas that bothered me most were

A: Sid's disability being brought up only near the end, and at times improperly framed (note: though I am disabled myself I do not have seizures so own voice reviewers should have president over my thoughts)

B: as an avid bird lover I really enjoyed the books framing but felt the personality and charm of birds was lacking, it all felt very serface level. This is very personal, it just felt like the charm was lacking.

TW: racism, murder, blood, death, vomit, rape, infidelity, colonialism, police brutality, misgendering (character corrected)

An anti-racist murder thriller with Aotearoa history and the rippling affects of colonisation. This was not only fun but incredibly poignant. A few missed threads, but amazing.

TW: death, graphic discriptions of death, suicide of past character, depression, death of a child

Emotional and moving. Though middle grade it dosnt shy away from hard details or deep and wounded feelings-as well as the complications of war with who is the victim and who is the aggressor-or both.

3.5

TW: misgendering, deadnaming, transphobia, homophobia, abuse (physical and mental)

I wish this story had less time dedicated to queer trauma and more time to joy - I was hungry for those moments of happiness to even out the unending invalidation and pain Callie kept enduring again and again - still a much needed story of acceptance with a great fantasy world backdrop.

TW: mentions of ableism, distress and trauma

Note: I'm an autistic /ADHD non binary person

I wish this book was given to everyone, both us autistic people and parents when we first begin our journeys - especially to therapists and councellers who didn't get properly trained (or updated) on current autism research. It's an excellent primer on us autistic folk, our needs, and breaking things down super easy to understand.

I've read others reviews that it is too 'basic', but honestly, it's a much needed starting resource, especially for parents and caregivers to read, and hopfully before they are inundated with ABA and pressure from 'autism moms' to try 'curing' their kids.

Even myself, who have been studying and researching for several years learned a new thing or two.

TW: death, natural disasters

A non-fiction mixed with speculative fictional recounting the last moments of dinosaurs, and the recovery of nature? Yes! Easy to understand and perfect for dino nerds of every age and stage? YES. Written by a trans paleontologist? TRIPPLE YES I'M IN HEAVEN

Signed, a grateful trans dino nerd

TW: death, murder, genocide, racism, systemic racism and injustice

An informative and good starting point to start an anti-racist journey towards indigonous people's justice.

TW: racism, homophobia, unwanted sexual advances, sex

Great start and loved the writing. Sadly had a very messy ending that honestly didn't make sense and the more it progressed the more messy it got. I will def. try the author's next book though.

TW: transphobia, sexism, stolen indigonous peoples culture

Yikkeees... I liked a few things but the very heavy lifting of cultural practices of indigonous people's reeeaaallly made me uncomfortable.

2.5

TW: homophobia, infidelity, war, death, fatphobia, PTSD, ableism, talk of bi erasure

This had really good moments talking about disability and bi erasure, but it took so long to get started and then sadly stopped mid plot.