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sunflower_fantasy's reviews
46 reviews
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Things I loved:
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
MSTSK is a chilling read that I couldn’t put down! It stayed with me after reading it too.
Things I loved:
• Tackles colourism & desirability,
• Troubling and tense.
• Great character development
• Suspenseful
• Dark feminist satire
• Great character development
• Suspenseful
• Dark feminist satire
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
The Monsters We Defy was a surprising read. Initially, I was intrigued by the synopsis but I didn’t expect for it to be so damn good!
The plot development was smooth and Penelope balances mystery, historical fabulation, and spiritualism so well. She set the scene impeccably and I felt like I was traversing 1920s Washington D.C., especially with all the references to real history. The magic system was embedded in African-American folklore and hoodoo. Penelope creates a wonderful cast of characters. Clara was written so well. She was flawed, troubled, and determined. Zelda was also another favourite.
There are a couple of things that I didn’t like as much:
• Zelda felt underwritten towards the end, which was sad. Her character was so dynamic, funny & skilled. In the climax we don’t see much of this and her final storyline being thatthis got her a man and she lived happily ever after fell flat.
• There were some conveniences in the final showdown which smoothed things over a little too easily.
That being said, there’s so much more that I adored! I’ll definitely read more of her work.
💛 More things I loved 💛
• exploration of colourism & class divides in the Black community
• real world histories woven into narrative
• dynamic loveable characters & their backstories
• explores legacies of slavery on class divides
• fashion & culture
The plot development was smooth and Penelope balances mystery, historical fabulation, and spiritualism so well. She set the scene impeccably and I felt like I was traversing 1920s Washington D.C., especially with all the references to real history. The magic system was embedded in African-American folklore and hoodoo. Penelope creates a wonderful cast of characters. Clara was written so well. She was flawed, troubled, and determined. Zelda was also another favourite.
There are a couple of things that I didn’t like as much:
• Zelda felt underwritten towards the end, which was sad. Her character was so dynamic, funny & skilled. In the climax we don’t see much of this and her final storyline being that
• There were some conveniences in the final showdown which smoothed things over a little too easily.
That being said, there’s so much more that I adored! I’ll definitely read more of her work.
💛 More things I loved 💛
• exploration of colourism & class divides in the Black community
• real world histories woven into narrative
• dynamic loveable characters & their backstories
• explores legacies of slavery on class divides
• fashion & culture
Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
A gorgeous second instalment to the Faebound trilogy.
Cursebound begins where we last saw Yeeran & Lettle -Yeeran heading back to Waning to warn her former lover (I really wish there was more of a love triangle!), and Lettle attempting to uncover the mysteries of the Fae world. The novel follows them as they seek to undo the curse entrapping all the fae underground, meanwhile navigating multiple assassination attempts and a brewing war-to-end-all-wars.
Once again, I loved the worldbuilding and writing style, and the plot/characters kept me hooked. However, I have some of the same comments that I had with the previous, that it was predictable, a little too fast-paced and didn’t expand certain storylines that I would’ve liked. But despite this, I still loved this book!
The introduction of new characters and points of view was welcomed. There were times where I was pleasantly surprised by the plot too. I can’t wait for the final instalment. I wonder what it’ll be called?Earthbound?
Cursebound begins where we last saw Yeeran & Lettle -
Once again, I loved the worldbuilding and writing style, and the plot/characters kept me hooked. However, I have some of the same comments that I had with the previous, that it was predictable, a little too fast-paced and didn’t expand certain storylines that I would’ve liked. But despite this, I still loved this book!
The introduction of new characters and points of view was welcomed. There were times where I was pleasantly surprised by the plot too. I can’t wait for the final instalment. I wonder what it’ll be called?
Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Disappointed by this read as I was really excited to get stuck into it. Could have DNF, but powered through and skimmed it.
I don’t think this was a book about Shigidi. If anything, it told the story of Nneoma. The characters could’ve been fleshed out more and I was excited for the heist, but it wasn’t actually the main focus of the plot.
I thought the heist would delve more into the reality of stolen African artefacts, but it didn’t. The writing style, hopping across a timeline was also laborious and wasn’t for me.
There’s some elements I enjoyed though.
I don’t think this was a book about Shigidi. If anything, it told the story of Nneoma. The characters could’ve been fleshed out more and I was excited for the heist, but it wasn’t actually the main focus of the plot.
I thought the heist would delve more into the reality of stolen African artefacts, but it didn’t. The writing style, hopping across a timeline was also laborious and wasn’t for me.
There’s some elements I enjoyed though.
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I wanted to really love this, but I didn’t. I can see how it could be a 5 star for some people. I think I went into it with expectations and maybe I shouldn’t have.
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Rounded up from 4.5 because it’s just so good!
The world-building is exquisite and the characters are charming, gorgeous and devastatingly flawed. At times the pacing was off and some character arcs like Pila, Komi & Nerad weren’t fleshed out enough for me. However, this didn’t detract from its enthralling plot and its world. I’m eager to see how it unfolds in the next two books.
Loves:
• world-building, lore, & the mystery
• cool plot with war, political intrigue & myth
• eroticism, lust & desire
• stunning scenes, settings, & fashion
Not so much:
• some characters lacked depth
•I hate to say it, but Pila was boring. The Obeah could’ve been written better with more animalistic qualities other than smelling things. She felt too agreeable for a cat-like creature.
• a couple of plot holes, some things just seemed to work out smoothly for the protagonists.
Finally, is this marketed as Afro/Arab because I would’ve enjoyed more cultural references?
I don’t always need literary perfection for me to list something as a 5 star…. I need to feel. I need to be excited, witness a world emerge, experience something new, and be in a state of anticipation. This book did that.
The world-building is exquisite and the characters are charming, gorgeous and devastatingly flawed. At times the pacing was off and some character arcs like Pila, Komi & Nerad weren’t fleshed out enough for me. However, this didn’t detract from its enthralling plot and its world. I’m eager to see how it unfolds in the next two books.
Loves:
• world-building, lore, & the mystery
• cool plot with war, political intrigue & myth
• eroticism, lust & desire
• stunning scenes, settings, & fashion
Not so much:
• some characters lacked depth
•
• a couple of plot holes, some things just seemed to work out smoothly for the protagonists.
Finally, is this marketed as Afro/Arab because I would’ve enjoyed more cultural references?
I don’t always need literary perfection for me to list something as a 5 star…. I need to feel. I need to be excited, witness a world emerge, experience something new, and be in a state of anticipation. This book did that.
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
A cute finale. Although there was less worldbuilding and exciting action that I enjoyed from the first book, this is still a great series especially for a younger reader. Xio’s character is a standout for this book.
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse
Cons
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I said I’d read more dystopian fiction. Bonus if it’s in a post-apocalyptic world. I was excited by Trail of Lightning because of its exploration of American indigeneity as a post-apocalyptic condition and even more so as it was written by my favourite author of the year so far, Rebecca Roanhorse.
Pros
Pros
- Exciting apocalyptic worldbuilding
- Navajo folklore
- Great main character
- Action filled with well-written fight scenes
Cons
- Wanted much more monsters, horror & monster action.
- Holes in the story that either left me a bit confused or felt flat
- Anti-climatic ending
Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
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
4.0
A glorious easy read set in the universe of the Celestial Kingdom. I loved having it expanded, though I do wish there was a little more of a nod to the previous series. Tan’s writing is beautiful as always and the romance was surprising and deep. Not as good as the duology but a pleasant, adventurous read nonetheless.
The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
The Prey of Gods is a fast-paced, dynamic story of gods, drugs, and technology told through the perspective of a diverse set of characters.
Drayden had lots of ideas packed into this relatively short novel, and this meant that each chapter was exciting, each character arch had depth. I enjoyed this!
Drayden had lots of ideas packed into this relatively short novel, and this meant that each chapter was exciting, each character arch had depth. I enjoyed this!