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obscurepages's reviews
408 reviews
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
STOP. THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE 😭
Intersex merfolk who are descendants of pregnant African slaves women? A clever and compelling story about individuality and community, and history's significance towards the people in the present? A story that highlights intergenerational trauma and its impact? A story that highlights the need to discover personal identity while still wanting to connect with your people's history? This book is ALL of these, and it's also so much more.
Brilliantly written, this book is steeped with folklore and world-building and introspective themes. The perspectives, which can switch from the MC to an ancestor, highlight amazing storytelling from the author.
Overall, this was poignant and it was powerful. Definitely one of my top reads for the year. 🥹
Intersex merfolk who are descendants of pregnant African slaves women? A clever and compelling story about individuality and community, and history's significance towards the people in the present? A story that highlights intergenerational trauma and its impact? A story that highlights the need to discover personal identity while still wanting to connect with your people's history? This book is ALL of these, and it's also so much more.
Brilliantly written, this book is steeped with folklore and world-building and introspective themes. The perspectives, which can switch from the MC to an ancestor, highlight amazing storytelling from the author.
Overall, this was poignant and it was powerful. Definitely one of my top reads for the year. 🥹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness, Slavery, Grief
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wow wow wow. I think I have goosebumps 😭 This was an incredible book. It's both harrowing and compelling, this is a story you won't forget soon.
There's something so visceral and melancholic in the writing style, but there's also the tiniest bits of humor and I love that. I also love how this book is just filled with hope and love, just as much as it's filled with grief. It speaks so much of what humans have done to the environment (since their world is now broken because of global warming) and other people (the way Native Americans are being hunted). Language and culture is a big part of this story too and it is beautifully profound.
Overall, an such an incredible story. Glad I was able to discover and read this book!
(Lots of CWs for this one tho please take care of yourselves. CW: residential schools, violence, colonial trauma, racism, genocide, death, grief, torture, sexual assault, pedophilia, injuries)
There's something so visceral and melancholic in the writing style, but there's also the tiniest bits of humor and I love that. I also love how this book is just filled with hope and love, just as much as it's filled with grief. It speaks so much of what humans have done to the environment (since their world is now broken because of global warming) and other people (the way Native Americans are being hunted). Language and culture is a big part of this story too and it is beautifully profound.
Overall, an such an incredible story. Glad I was able to discover and read this book!
(Lots of CWs for this one tho please take care of yourselves. CW: residential schools, violence, colonial trauma, racism, genocide, death, grief, torture, sexual assault, pedophilia, injuries)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Murder, Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, Grief
Steven Universe Vol. 1 by Jeremy Sorese
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Right Where I Left You by Julian Winters
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
I think maybe Julian Winters just knows how to give readers a good summer teen story 🥹
This book gave me friendships and family, it gave me pining and angst, it gave me fandoms and geeks, and it gave me precious best friends-to-lovers trope.
I related to a lot of things in this book, and more often than not, I found myself relating to Isaac and his social anxiety/awkwardness, but also his desire to belong. Romance had lots of pining and angst which was a surprise for me somehow?? 😂 And the lack of communication gave me a bit of a headache, but it's a good one 😆
Overall, I just really enjoyed reading this.
This book gave me friendships and family, it gave me pining and angst, it gave me fandoms and geeks, and it gave me precious best friends-to-lovers trope.
I related to a lot of things in this book, and more often than not, I found myself relating to Isaac and his social anxiety/awkwardness, but also his desire to belong. Romance had lots of pining and angst which was a surprise for me somehow?? 😂 And the lack of communication gave me a bit of a headache, but it's a good one 😆
Overall, I just really enjoyed reading this.
Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I wanted something short and sweet and wholesome, and this book was exactly it! 😭
The art and the colors in here are AMAZING. I'm in awe every time I turn the page and see a visually stunning scene right in front of me. This doesn't overshadow the main story, too. The storyline is easy to follow, but also exciting and thrilling on its own. I can see why fans of Steven Universe and Adventure Time would love this. I know I did!
This book was about friendship, discovering your potential, and of course magic... and it's just so so good 🥹
Also!! Sapphic romance + friends (to lovers) who write fanfiction together?? Lowkey wishing there's a companion novel for Beetle and Kat's stories 😂
The art and the colors in here are AMAZING. I'm in awe every time I turn the page and see a visually stunning scene right in front of me. This doesn't overshadow the main story, too. The storyline is easy to follow, but also exciting and thrilling on its own. I can see why fans of Steven Universe and Adventure Time would love this. I know I did!
This book was about friendship, discovering your potential, and of course magic... and it's just so so good 🥹
Also!! Sapphic romance + friends (to lovers) who write fanfiction together?? Lowkey wishing there's a companion novel for Beetle and Kat's stories 😂
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.0
OKAY IT'S OFFICIAL. Dahlia Adler is a genius in queer YA romcoms 😭😂
This book is so so good. The two alternate timelines shouldn't have worked, but it did, and it's an incredible thing to witness. Both timelines connected with the MCs character arc well, and the parallels in specific pivotal scenes are so good! In one timeline music is a big part of her life, in the other, it's food. In both timelines we see her fixing her relationship with her mother, and we see her struggle and realize her passion. In both timelines we see her fall in love and discover two different kinds of romance. The author aced the writing styles in both timelines for sure.
Also loved how this book navigated through being queer and religious at the same time. I also learned a lot about Jewish customs and practices here, which I really appreciated!
Overall this book was just fun and wildly entertaining. Did I hope for some magical twist at the end? Maybe?? Like all of it was a dream and only one timeline is real 😂 But if there's anything this book has taught me is that we make our choices and those choices lead us to exactly where we need to be. This book showed that perfectly well.
ALSO WAS THAT A CAMEO WITH AMBER AND JACK FROM HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE?!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Self harm
The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
UHM WOW WOW WOW. I didn't know exactly what to expect in this book, but this blew me away.
I thought this was going to be a complex and compelling fantasy, and while this book is that, it's also so much more?? This book explored nuanced topics of immigration, being oppressed and being the oppressor, gender fluidity, and family. It's engrossing and heartfelt and just so damn good.
I loved that Persian culture is so present here, and the queernormative world in here is just pleasant to read about.
ALSO the author is such a good writer 😭 How they managed to make the biggest plot twist both so obvious and yet so surprising at the same time is beyond me 😭 I really thought I knew what the plot twist was, but I was actually so wrong and it's so good.
Glad to have read this for Pride Month 🥺
I thought this was going to be a complex and compelling fantasy, and while this book is that, it's also so much more?? This book explored nuanced topics of immigration, being oppressed and being the oppressor, gender fluidity, and family. It's engrossing and heartfelt and just so damn good.
I loved that Persian culture is so present here, and the queernormative world in here is just pleasant to read about.
ALSO the author is such a good writer 😭 How they managed to make the biggest plot twist both so obvious and yet so surprising at the same time is beyond me 😭 I really thought I knew what the plot twist was, but I was actually so wrong and it's so good.
Glad to have read this for Pride Month 🥺
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Dysphoria, War, Classism
Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
OMG OKAY. I have varying reactions to this. My reading journey went like: 😃🥲🫣🫠🤡🙅♀️🤔🙂
What I liked: The individual MCs, finding community and other queer people, plus lots of nuanced discussions and themes such as activism (big and small actions that counts), internalized homophobia, coming out and being safe, hiding/being the closet again, messy mom/daughter relationship with mom's dreams projecting on her daughter
What I didn't like that much: The romance, MCs keep saying messy things towards one another (and I had to remind myself that they're teens 😆)
I loved Ruby and Morgan as individual characters. But together? Not really. Mainly I feel like the chemistry lacked? It's not that convincing for me as a reader so I didn't feel invested in their relationship. I guess what really hooked me in this is just those nuanced topics, and how the characters navigated those discussions, and how they matured because of those. That I really liked.
Stills glad to have read this for Pride Month tho!
What I liked: The individual MCs, finding community and other queer people, plus lots of nuanced discussions and themes such as activism (big and small actions that counts), internalized homophobia, coming out and being safe, hiding/being the closet again, messy mom/daughter relationship with mom's dreams projecting on her daughter
What I didn't like that much: The romance, MCs keep saying messy things towards one another (and I had to remind myself that they're teens 😆)
I loved Ruby and Morgan as individual characters. But together? Not really. Mainly I feel like the chemistry lacked? It's not that convincing for me as a reader so I didn't feel invested in their relationship. I guess what really hooked me in this is just those nuanced topics, and how the characters navigated those discussions, and how they matured because of those. That I really liked.
Stills glad to have read this for Pride Month tho!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Witch King by Martha Wells
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
AFTER TWO WEEKS?!? I finally finished a book 😭😂
Okay this was good?? But it wasn't too mind-blowing, but also I wanted more??
I loved the world-building, and I loved the action. But because this is such a plot-driven novel, I feel like the characterization lacked for me? And that's a bit of waste because the characters are awesome and I loved reading about them. Sanja?? Dahin?? Tahren and Zeide?? And the tension or whatever between Bashasa and Kai?? Would have loved to read more about those 😆
Still, this is a solid book, a complex and rich SFF novel. For sure I need to read more from Martha Wells.
Okay this was good?? But it wasn't too mind-blowing, but also I wanted more??
I loved the world-building, and I loved the action. But because this is such a plot-driven novel, I feel like the characterization lacked for me? And that's a bit of waste because the characters are awesome and I loved reading about them. Sanja?? Dahin?? Tahren and Zeide?? And the tension or whatever between Bashasa and Kai?? Would have loved to read more about those 😆
Still, this is a solid book, a complex and rich SFF novel. For sure I need to read more from Martha Wells.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Sing Anyway by Anita Kelly
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Okay this is so good??? Found this on Libby and knew nothing about it, but wow, I am so glad to have discovered it! 🥹
Karaoke love story featuring nonbinary/genderqueer MC + fat heroine?! YES PLEASE
Loved the chemistry between Sam and Lily, I swear. I could almost feel it through the pages??? Loved the conversations about gender and body diversity, too. I could relate to a lot of their struggles and feelings, especially as another fat, genderqueer person.
This was so so precious. Glad to mark this as my first read for Pride Month! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Find me elsewhere: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/obscure.pages/">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lxndrnae">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://enthralledbookworm.wordpress.com/">Blog</a>
Marking this book as part of reading challenge: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/de133357-4196-421b-8d50-0445bfec4ec3/">#ReadQueerly2023</a>.
Karaoke love story featuring nonbinary/genderqueer MC + fat heroine?! YES PLEASE
Loved the chemistry between Sam and Lily, I swear. I could almost feel it through the pages??? Loved the conversations about gender and body diversity, too. I could relate to a lot of their struggles and feelings, especially as another fat, genderqueer person.
This was so so precious. Glad to mark this as my first read for Pride Month! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Find me elsewhere: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/obscure.pages/">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lxndrnae">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://enthralledbookworm.wordpress.com/">Blog</a>
Marking this book as part of reading challenge: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/de133357-4196-421b-8d50-0445bfec4ec3/">#ReadQueerly2023</a>.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Dysphoria