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dylanlouise's reviews
182 reviews
Worry by Alexandra Tanner
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Despite the ending (out of left field!!) I loved this book!!! I have already been recommending it to so many people. It’s FUNNY like laugh-out-loud teenage girl humor and reflects on brainrot and internet culture in such a smart way. Every time I reached for my phone while reading this book, I thought twice about it! Also the depiction of sisterhood and what it means to be family was right on and devastating. Don’t be fooled by the internet focus, this novel still packs a punch! Check trigger warnings, but I’m so glad I started 2025 with this one
Animal Life by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Pretty good overall, a nice translated story about life cycles and inheritances. I liked the frankness of it all, and the odd one liners I kept wanting to underline (I read the library’s copy)
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I REALLY enjoyed this. It was a page turner but the writing was incredible, the setting was atmospheric and believable, and McConaghy brilliantly weaves questions about environmental work, gaslighting, domestic abuse, and what it means to love. I found myself understanding/rooting for almost every single character, this book is truly an exploration of what empathy is in its many forms. Check content warnings first!!
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
This was fine, too many characters and didn't really understand the point. It felt like it was trying to be too many things for too many people. The writing was gorgeous of course, but I didn't feel compelled to keep reading (my book club kept me honest) and it was weirdly sexual all of a sudden.
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
VERY GORY! Had to skip many many paragraphs of this book because the author just loves body horror (which in this novel is a metaphor for transness). The world-building was impressive, and the found family storyline is fantastic, but I just found this a bit fast and gross. I really enjoyed the reflection on evangelicalism and malthusians, but it is INTENSE! I guess I would recommend for high schoolers thinking about gender who really like gross things and thrillers, or to adults willing to confront the pain of transphobia in a very visceral way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Really liked this, definitely felt "like a warm hug" as another reviewer put it. As someone that loves octopuses and animal POVs, this was right up my street. I liked reflecting on animal captivity, different types of intelligences, and what it means to age. Loved! the ending! The beginning was slow going though, and some of the other storylines weren't for me
Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
I can tell this is well-written, just not really my thing. The stories are incredible metaphors for intergenerational trauma and gendered expectations. Very folkloric, and the setting of Lagos felt real, a good read for spooky season and a good introduction to Black speculative fiction if you're not familiar! I wished the stories were longer, but maybe I'm just not a story collection person!
The Hills of Estrella Roja by Ashley Robin Franklin
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This was really good! well-paced, fleshed-out characters, cute artistic style, made me smile :)