heddas_bookgems's Reviews (490)

“Black people always found a way in the most miserable circumstances. If we didn't, we'd have been exterminated by the white man long ago.”

Harlem Shuffle is set in New York 1954, Harlem. It’s a novel about heists, rip-offs and shake-offs. Carney, a son of a notorious criminal shot by the police, is 29 and determined to make something of his life with his furniture shop. But unfortunately it’s hard to make ends meet and so Carney gets swallowed more and more by side hustles to provide for his family.

This book transported me to the late 1950s of Harlem. It read like a painting. With its eye for detail I could feel, hear and taste the grime of Harlem but also experience it’s beauty. But, I wasn’t prepared for its entirety. Yes, it did have heists, thrilling ones, and yes it had the most dangerous crooks. But it also had family, humor, loyalty and the difficulties of growing up a black person in Harlem 1950. This book isn’t just about heists. It tells the story of black and white separation, a split world, about race and class power and social injustice. It tells about the Harlem Riots and about the need for making the American dream. Despite these serious themes, it wasn’t a hard read. This book definitely left an imprint and is highly recommended for a travel back in time and some reflection afterwards.

“There is a saying among us who work there: Palace secrets must never get out, or else inevitably there will be blood.”

In The Red Palace we follow eighteen year old Heyon, a bastard and palace nurse living in 1758 Joseon (Korea). When her closest friend and mentor gets suspected of four murders that took place in the palace she finds herself entangled in solving this murder mystery.

I love reading historical fiction or books related to Asian culture. When I heard many great things about this book I knew that I needed to read this. Well, this book didn’t let me down. It was thrilling, it had complex characters, it had spies, murders, political intrigues, it was romantic and it had an feminist touch. This book never got boring and that was mainly because of its wonderful writing and the steady pacing. So if you are in search for a who done it in a historical setting this book is calling your name. I would recommend checking TW’s before you do plan on reading it.

“Welcome to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs.”An enormous hall greets us, and I gasp—it’s filled with all kinds of strange sights. A flock of fairies twinkles past like floating Christmas lights, their laughter like tinkling bells. They all wave to me in unison.”

When Amaris brother disappears her grades are slipping and she has a hard time staying out of trouble. Although Amari is used to being bullied at her prestige school where she is pretty much the only black kid, she gets suspended after pushing her bully. But when she gets home she finds a briefcase with a nomination from her brother for a supernatural bureau. As this may be the only way in finding her brother she’s accepts and discovers how deep the rabbit hole goes.

This book has been on my radar for ages and quite frankly I don’t know why I waited so long to read it as this book is wonderful, wholesome, exciting and has a awesome magical system and worldbuilding. The characters are adorable (although maybe not everybody) and the story of training in a magic school of some sort is fantastic. It reminded me of the well known books from childhood with magic and a magic school only this time the main character is a black girl. Which brings me to the point that Amari and the Night Brothers is not only a middle grade; it also discusses some serious themes like racism and contains needed representation. So, this book is besides wonderful even more important for young black kids to have a voice too. Highly would recommend this for everyone in search for a lovely middle grade with an important message.

‘”You’re not just run-of-the-mill-sad.” “You’re melancholic. I AM HAPPY!!!I’M THE FRIGGIN’ GODDESS OF SPRING.”’

In the second volume of the enchanting graphic novel "Lore Olympus," we continue to follow the captivating adventures of Hades and Persephone. As Persephone grapples with the aftermath of past events, she navigates the complexities of school life and embarks on a new internship.

After having enjoyed the cotton candy artwork of the first printed volume of this original WebToon a few months ago, I was eagerly to see how the story progressed. With high hopes, I pre-ordered the second installment, and upon receiving my copy last week, I was pleasantly surprised to find it surpassed my expectations.

While the first volume left me with a lingering sense that it was aimed at a younger audience, dampening my initial enthusiasm slightly, the second volume felt like a significant improvement. The characters showed more depth and development, and the story unfolded with a delightful mix of humor, sweetness, and emotional depth. Although still a quick read, this installment left me eagerly awaiting the arrival of volume three.

For fans of graphic novels and Greek mythology, "Lore Olympus" is a charming addition to your collection. However, I advise potential readers to check for trigger warnings before diving in.

“Kya remembered Ma always encouraging her to explore the marsh: “Go as far as you can—way out yonder where the crawdads sing.”

Kya Clark has always lived in the marsh. She is one with nature and likes to be surrounded in the safe space of the marsh with her sea gulls. However she’s not that keen on people. When a popular inhabitant of the nearest town of Barkley Cove is found dead, the towns people immediately think about the odd, wild and uncivilized Marsh Girl.

With the movie insight, it releases in July, I needed to read this now. And let me tell you, like they say in The Netherlands, as a girl born out of clay with a love for everything green, I really loved this. This story is more than just a thriller or a coming of age novel. It also deals with prejudice from communities, isolation and the primal feeling of everyone to belong to a group. Who doesn’t relate to that? Everyone has some urge to isolate but on the other hand feel connected. It’s also a love story about nature. It’s detailed description of the marsh, it’s critters and the phonetically written Southern accent made me feel really connected to Kya and even more so to the nature she loves so deeply.
It’s a heartfelt story with some sappy moments, but it leaves a mark. And y’all aren’t ready for this plot twist. I would recommend this to everyone interested in a book about nature with a mystery element. But do check out TWs before you pick it up.

“She has wondered, of course, who it was, back when it had bones and skin. The eye hovers, higher than her own, and once she caught the edge of a bonnet, the fraying hem of a skirt, and thought, perhaps, it was a matron. Not that it matters. Now, it is only a ghoul, lurking at her back.”

Olivia is sixteen, alone and without the feeling of a real home. Without a father or a mother she grew up at Merilance School for Girls. Suddenly she receives a letter from her uncle she never heard of before. He summons her to the House Gallant but soon discovers her family is full of secrets.

This was my first read by V.E. Schwab and this didn’t disappoint. I loved the prosaic writing style. Words combined with each other that matches sound wise but also make such beautiful rhythm. This gothic story is ominous, haunting and mysterious which results in a continuous eerie feeling. Ghouls are lurking and something’s off but what? Well, Schwab takes her time to tell you that story. But just that slow pacing results in a tangible world with even more fleshed out characters. All in all I really loved this. It was like a savory meal combined with a sweet bun. And if you ask me that’s a perfect blend. I would recommend this to everyone who likes slow paced books with a gothic and creepy vibe.

“We may be small, and we may be young, but we will shake the world for our beliefs.”

The Priory of the Orange Tree tells the tale of a divided world. Omens are lurking of the return of The Nameless One. But how to keep a world save from The Nameless One when everyone has their own interest in mind?

So I conquered this brick of a book. If any book deserves all the hype it’s getting, it’s this one. I must admit that I struggled a lot in the beginning. But fortunately my buddy reads told me to push through. And I’m so glad I did. This book has such an extensive worldbuilding with eye for detail. And the characters are so well sculpted that they feel almost real. I liked the good characters and even the “bad”. As this book illustrates so perfectly how being blindsided by your own belief can cause a divided world. How misconceptions, hatred and fear are the themes we must conquer. Not only was it heavy on moral it also mentioned themes like grief, the power of choice, friendship and it had queer representation. This book is also heavy on plot and action. As you might guess, this is a new favorite. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a slow fantasy with great characters and dragons. Especially dragons!

“She frowned. ‘I asked if I could kiss you, and you said yes.’’Incorrect. You asked if you could kiss me and I snorted.’’I’m pretty sure I heard you said yes.’He lifted one eyebrow, and for a minute Olive let herself daydream of drowning someone. Dr. Carlsen. Herself. Both sounded like great options.”

Olive, is a third year Ph.D. candidate in biology. In a panic she fake kissed professor Adam Carlsen to persuade her friend to start dating her ex. From a fake kiss, starts fake dating. But suddenly she feels scientifically drawn to this mysterious and grumpy man.

This book has been hyped all over TikTok or other social platform. To see what it was all about I decided to read this romance with the classic trope fake dating. Although I never got the appeal to this fake dating thing, I must admit it does deliver some real funny and awkward moments. And I’m here for that. Love awkwardness. Cranky men however is not my style. So feeling any attraction through this cranky attitude was a challenge. But still, I get why this is so hyped. The attraction is there, the friends are amazing, their hilarious and this girl is a dead-on smart ass. It even discusses themes that women, in scientific field, are considered as purely decorative and why that’s utter bs. So, read this book as it is worth the hype, it executes the classic trope fake dating perfectly, has lovely humor and has a steamy romance.

“Nobody at Willowgrove actually wants anything to change, not even her own friends, who are all wonderful and queer and absolutely dead set on not coming out until after graduation.'

Chloe is bisexual on a catholic school in Alabama and she has one goal, winning Valedictorian. When her only rival, prom Queen Shara Wheeler, kisses her and after that disappears, it seems Chloe is not the only one Shara kissed. Worried and angry Chloe, Shara’s boyfriend Smith and neighbor Rory go on a high school scavenger hunt, guided by letters from Shara.

Being queer and growing up in the Bible Belt of Alabama can be hard especially in search of representation. That’s exactly the reason that McQuiston wrote this book. And this is also the reason why this is such a good read. It deals with all the good things of living in the South, but also how hard it can be being queer. It speaks of homophobia, exploring one’s identity, of coming out and the difficulties concerning one’s outing. The latter made me conflicted in some parts of the book as I had some issues concerning manipulation and respecting boundaries. But besides that the banter between the teens, the friendship between Chloe and Georgia and being queer in the South made this a super cute and meaningful read.