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2.83k reviews by:
betweentheshelves
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I would categorize this as fun! Maybe a little longer than it needed to be, but there were so many great lines in here. And the art complemented the story really well! If you're looking for a fun, entertaining, funny graphic novel, I would definitely recommend this one. You'll fly through it and have a ball while doing so!
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Blood, Vomit
adventurous
tense
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:
No
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Books for an advanced copy of this to review! Of course, with how Aurora Burning ended, I absolutely needed to know how this series came to a close. In true Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff style, it wouldn’t be a space book if things didn’t get chaotic.
I will admit, parts of this were difficult to follow. It’s space, all of the characters are spread out to different places, and sometimes I was like, “wait, what’s happening??” But I feel like that’s the mark of a true science fiction/book set in space. Sometimes, you just don’t really know what’s going on, but you go along with it because it will make sense at the end.
Once again, the characters and the voice are what make this series such a fun read. Kaufman and Kristoff have a way with writing great characters, and there are just some really funny moments. You will be entertained from start to finish, and feel like you’re a part of Squad 312. Even if space wouldn’t be your jam.
All in all, this is a pretty great finale to a fun, entertaining trilogy. If you like the Illuminae series, this is definitely one that you’ll want to pick up!
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An epic finale for this trilogy! I'll admit, I maybe got lost at times because, that plot is quite the plot (and being vague to avoid spoilers). More to come in a full review later this week!
An epic finale for this trilogy! I'll admit, I maybe got lost at times because, that plot is quite the plot (and being vague to avoid spoilers). More to come in a full review later this week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Grief
dark
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
So, this book was hard to follow at the beginning. I think the world building/parameters of Jake Livingston's powers needed to be defined more. For a good chunk of the beginning of the book, I couldn't quite figure out what was going on. This could be attributed to the fact that I listened to the audiobook, but I could have used more details and parameters on exactly what was going on.
However, I did enjoy the character development. Jake and Allister had good chemistry, and even Sawyer was really well developed. Good elements of horror, though! Which is much needed in the YA realm.
However, I did enjoy the character development. Jake and Allister had good chemistry, and even Sawyer was really well developed. Good elements of horror, though! Which is much needed in the YA realm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Mass/school shootings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Gore
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
All the spooky vibes just in time for Halloween! The structure of the book overall was clever, with different lines of a nursey rhyme for each chapter/section. While I wanted a bit more character development, it definitely worked well for this time of year. Leno is great at writing description, really pulling you into this spooky house.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicide
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I haven't read Caraval, but I enjoyed this! Very fairytale-esque with an interesting storytline. Kind of makes me want to go back and read Caraval because the world building in this was great! Plus, the characters make the book overall easy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Murder
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not only was the art beautiful in this, but I appreciated the storytelling and the perspective. It was a quick read, but definitely an impactful one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation
informative
medium-paced
This book was incredibly well done. I think the tone works really well for young readers, and there is so much great information included. There was a lot of stuff in here that I didn't know. 100% recommend this for all schools and libraries.
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adventurous
emotional
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:
No
Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for an advanced copy of this to review! Graceling is one of my favorite young adult books and I was excited to see the adaption. At first, I was a bit hesistant about it because it seems like a lot to adapt into a graphic novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Even though at times, it seemed a bit wordy, the illustrations were beautiful. I especially liked the way the landscape images, really drawing you into this fantasy world. The fight sequences are also well done. You can feel the movement between Katsa and Po, and it adds a lot to the story itself.
My only issue with the adaptation is that you lose some of the world building from the original book. This might take readers back to the original story though, which I definitely recommend! Even though I know the story, the end was still suspenseful. Seeing it played out in illulstrations might have made it even more so. I was on the edge of my seat even though I know what happens!
All in all, this is a great adaptation that might bring a new generation of readers to this YA classic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia
adventurous
emotional
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
This was definitely a worthy sequel to Raybearer, which I read last year and loved. This picks up pretty much where that story leaves off, and even though I don't remember a lot about how that book ended, I remembered enough that it wasn't difficult to jump into this one.
Overall, the pace in this book was faster than the first, probably because a lot of the world building happened in the first book. Not only did this sequel expand on what we already know from the first book, but it also gives us more characters to learn to love. Tarisai's arc works so well in this book, as she learns to acknowledge her privilege and work to make things better in the future. All in all, you can tell this is a well thoughout duology that has a home in YA fantasy.
Overall, the pace in this book was faster than the first, probably because a lot of the world building happened in the first book. Not only did this sequel expand on what we already know from the first book, but it also gives us more characters to learn to love. Tarisai's arc works so well in this book, as she learns to acknowledge her privilege and work to make things better in the future. All in all, you can tell this is a well thoughout duology that has a home in YA fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Blood
Minor: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Well this was absolutely adorable! I loved every moment of it. Stay tuned for a full review later this week!