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loopsandlorewithmeg's reviews
366 reviews
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries was such a charming and cozy fantasy read. I loved the mix of academic fieldwork and whimsical fae magic—it had that perfect blend of folklore and adventure. Emily is a delightfully grumpy protagonist, and her dynamic with Wendell was a fun slow burn that added a nice spark. The writing style felt so much like a fairy tale or bedtime story that I literally found myself reading it to sleep more than once—not in a bad way, just super soothing. It took a bit to fully hook me, and some parts dragged, but once it got going, I was all in. A gentle, magical read with a unique vibe.
The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal
adventurous
emotional
reflective
4.0
The Martian Contingency was a really solid read! It had a great mix of action, tension, and smart sci-fi concepts that kept me turning the pages. I really liked the characters and the way the story handled the political and survival aspects on Mars—it felt grounded but still exciting. That said, there were a few pacing issues in the middle where things dragged a bit, and I found myself wanting just a little more depth in some of the character dynamics. Still, overall it was a super enjoyable ride and definitely one I’d recommend to fans of space thrillers.
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
When I first finished Remote Control, I was thinking it was a solid 4 stars. It’s a quiet, slower-paced story, and I wasn’t totally sure how to feel. But then I reread the final chapters, sat with it a bit, and watched a few videos discussing it—and honestly, it really is a 5-star read. Sankofa’s journey is so layered and emotional, and the atmosphere just lingers with you in this subtle, powerful way. I think having a couple of 5-star reads back to back had me second-guessing myself, but the more I thought about this one, the more it stuck. Quietly brilliant and definitely worth the hype.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
The Ministry of Time hooked me. The time travel concept is cool on its own, but what made it stand out was the emotional depth and the awkward, slow-burn relationship at the center of it all. Kaliane Bradley balances sharp writing, subtle humor, and just enough weirdness to keep things interesting without ever feeling overdone. I loved how human and messy it all felt, even with the sci-fi backdrop. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you and makes you want to recommend it to everyone as soon as you finish.
Network Effect by Martha Wells
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? N/A
5.0
Network Effect was everything I wanted and more—Murderbot in full novel form is an absolute treat. The mix of action, dry humor, and emotional growth hit so perfectly. I loved seeing the return of familiar characters and how the relationships have deepened, especially watching Murderbot navigate its very complicated feelings about humans (and itself). The pacing was sharp, the stakes were high, and I couldn’t put it down. Honestly, this series just keeps getting better and Network Effect might be my favorite installment yet.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
4.0
I really enjoyed A Psalm for the Wild-Built! It’s such a quiet, cozy little read that still manages to pack in a lot of heart and thoughtfulness. The relationship between Dex and Mosscap felt really special—like a gentle exploration of purpose, rest, and what it means to be human. It did feel a bit slow in spots, but honestly, that kind of worked with the whole meditative vibe of the story. Definitely a warm and hopeful book I’ll be thinking about for a while.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
3.5
I’m honestly still a little unsure how I feel about Orbital by Samantha Harvey. The writing is beautiful and contemplative, and I appreciated how it tackled big themes like time, humanity, and connection from the unique perspective of space. It has some of the nicest quotes I’ve come across in a while, and the parts that did hook me had some incredible messages that really made me pause and reflect.
That said, I found it easy to get lost or zone out while reading—it’s more of a quiet meditation than a plot-driven story, and while that works in some ways, it made it harder for me to stay fully engaged. I think it’ll really click with the right reader, but I’m not sure it fully landed for me.