wren_rainbow's Reviews (451)

We’re finally getting some answers and digging deeper into the story. As a anime watcher first, it’s enlightening to read the manga and pick up on the “small” details (at this time) that are actually quite significant later on. 

The way I hugged this book and smiled after finishing the last page! I cringed, I laughed, I smiled, and my heart broke all while reading this book.  It touches upon finding value and worth in yourself rather than from a relationship. That you shouldn’t change who you are to be valued and deemed worthy by others. But what I also loved was that at the age of 30 the main character comes to a point in her life where she is reconsidering her career and what it means to her, what does she love? Is she happy? It discusses generational differences and the stigma of counseling in the black community. Had me cheering to see Yinka and others attend.

The depiction of Nigerian culture was beautiful! I honestly googled ALOT to learn about the food dishes and clothing that was mentioned. Also, I absolutely adore Nana, by far my favorite character!! 

What I liked most about this book was that it explores and goes into the dark side of having a door and the consequences. Not all doors leave you wanting to go back.  Some leave you in horror or even with PTSD symptoms, bitter, and angry. Some doors take more from you than you’d expect. I wonder if this was a lead up to the next installments. There’s no way you can introduce the new school, Whitethorne, and a new character/ role and not expand more!  This installment focuses on Cora and discussed topics such as; fat phobia, suicidal ideation and attempts. This is not one of the feel good magical Wayward Children stories we’ve had in the past. 

It was interesting getting the full story that wasn’t shown in the anime. Yet still as heart wrenching experiencing Connie’s seeing what was done to his family and mother. 

This was a different spin on vampire lore and was quite enjoyable. I wish there was a second book to follow Shori’s life as she learns more about Ina history and connects with her symbionts. It was also a good story of prejudice and resistance to change that doesn’t feel like another black trauma narrative. I hugged this book after finishing the last page. Octavia E Butler always delivers! 

I had difficulty getting into the physical book so decided on the audiobook which definitely helped bring me into the story. It was an informative book told through 5 queer/ lesbian women living in Uruguay in the 1970’s dictatorship who create their own found family. I never knew about the historical events in this book and the author did a wonderful job bringing the women to life. Seeing them discover and defining themselves, their queerness over time and their relationships as time went on was wonderful. There is details of conversation therapy, torture, sexual abuse, and suicide in the book. 

I have been trying to find the words to express how much I adore this book. It’s staying on my shelf always. 

I appreciated Hannah’s journey to knowing about her culture, her family, and herself. I wanted a bit more from this book though. It talks about being a romance but the romance could have been more prominent. The story starts with varied POV from her siblings and I kinda wanted that to remain. So we can see their perspective throughout the journey. It was moving at first then became a bit flat.