dlrosebyh's Reviews (773)

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of Paper Planes by Jennie Wood.

This novel follows these two queer characters who communicate using paper planes. As a non-binary asexual, this graphic novel felt like a fever dream to me. The fact that the other is unlabeled? Amazing representation. Aside from the representation, I really do like the art style. It was so beautiful with the popping colors— it kept me intrigued. 

However, I did notice some ableist language. And the fact that a white author is talking about being ashamed to be black is not something I’m entirely on train for. There were of course, some plot holes— I think it’s very hard to write a graphic novel without plot holes, so I have some questions left unanswered. Lastly, I didn’t like how rushed the ending was. I wouldn’t say it felt out of character, but I was expecting something different. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the book. Would recommend to younger audiences.

1st read: 4.5 stars
2nd read: 5 stars 
evelynceliajohnharry ily </3

First read: 4.25
Second read: 5

Read for school.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of Hierarchy of the Unseen in exchange for an honest opinion.

This novel follows two queer characters who both were going to the same place. It took a while for them to meet, but their first meeting was really done well. It scratched an itch in my brain that I, myself, didn’t even know I had.

My favorite thing about this book is that the world building does not have homophobia and transphobia. It seems like such a cheap reason for it to be my favorite, but as a queer non-binary person, it’s so hard to find a novel without homophobia and transphobia that still fits my radar. I’m so glad this novel is one of those.

In addition, the world building is amazing. I didn’t have the highest expectations going into this novel, but the author— they amazed me. I would love to read more of their books.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of Vintage and Vogue in exchange for an honest opinion. 

 

Sena Abrigo, a wealthy IT wiz, has strong ties in the Arizona-Mexico borderlands. But when she walks into Owen Station in red-soled stilettos like she just stepped off the cover of Vogue, she intends to usher this small town into the future. And she is accustomed to receiving precisely what she desires. She must first overcome Hazel Butler. 

 

Hazel, the proud granddaughter of Irish immigrant miners, adores her library work, her eerie cat, her outspoken friends, antique Mary Janes, and the small house she inherited. And she is determined to preserve her town's rich past. 

 

Despite and because of their differences, flames ignite, and love isn't far behind. Sena's presence, however, does not just turn Hazel's life upside down in the most delightful of ways. It sets off an explosive chain of events that reveals a nasty truth lurking under the town's surface, jeopardizing their chances at love and their lives. 

 

For the most part, this book was fine. My favorite thing about this novel is the setting. Lately, small town romances have been growing on me— so no doubt I enjoyed a sapphic romance set in a small town. 

 

In order for me to like a romance novel, there are two conditions. Firstly, I must like the characters as individuals. This includes the character development of the characters for the sake of themselves as a character and not just as a driving force so that the relationship can be healthy and stable. I want them flourished before getting into an actual relationship— and well, this book failed that. 

 

Hazel annoyed me a lot during the second half. For the first half, I thought she was an interesting character, but she barely had character development— and if you know me, that’s one of the things I need to love my romance novels. And her being annoying literally sabotaged the whole relationship build-up, making them break up two times. 

 

During their second breakup, I was praying that Sena won’t take Hazel back. She’s too good for her. I mean, obviously she had some flaws, too, but Hazel was just really annoying to me. 

 

Secondly, in order for me to like a romance novel, I need the characters to have chemistry with each other. Seriously, it’s a romance novel, and you’re telling me I can’t even sense a dash of chemistry? I usually hate long romance novels, but this novel needed to be longer because I could barely sense their chemistry. It felt like the authors just picked out some of their favorite tropes and based the novel from there.