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gossamer_lens's reviews
1383 reviews
The Past Hangs over the Future by Art Spiegelman
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
A good side companion to the original books. Dark, sad, but hopeful too.
The Visit by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
An interesting flipping of perspectives on gender and a good plot and emotional grounding for the experiment of directly flipping genders. It make it clear how dumb misogyny and gender roles can be.
Lore Olympus, Season 3 by Rachel Smythe
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I quite enjoy this season and the ending is pure perfection in my books. The way Persephone comes out of all the events of this series is... perfection! Same for Hades. I just really enjoy this whole series and the ending was icing on the cake!
Lore Olympus: Volume Five by Rachel Smythe
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I think a good amount of the middle of this series is handled a little less interestingly or well then I would have liked to see, but overall I enjoy it a lot. I don't think I will be rating every single installment of this series so here is a copy paste of part of my book 2 rating. I like this series enough to re-read it and the beginning gives my mushy heart joy, the end gives me joy in many ways, and the middle is all a fun ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Gaslighting
Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think a good amount of the middle of this series is handled a little less interestingly or well then I would have liked to see, but overall I enjoy it a lot. I don't think I will be rating every single installment of this series so here is a copy paste of part of my book 2 rating. I like this series enough to re-read it and the beginning gives my mushy heart joy, the end gives me joy in many ways, and the middle is all a fun ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think a good amount of the middle of this series is handled a little less interestingly or well then I would have liked to see, but overall I enjoy it a lot. I don't think I will be rating every single installment of this series so here is a copy paste of part of my book 2 rating. I like this series enough to re-read it and the beginning gives my mushy heart joy, the end gives me joy in many ways, and the middle is all a fun ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol
Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is the hardest to read out of what is out already just because of a particular scene. It is hard to read but the visuals are done tactfully and convey more of the emotion then expose the abuse. There is something so comforting to me in reading scenes done so sensitively so I can feel un-alone in experience I have personally had. I don't know that everyone would agree, but for me it was quite touching and I felt very seen when I first read this as a webtoon. The fallout isn't handled perfectly and
I think a good amount of the middle of this series is handled a little less interestingly or well then I would have liked to see, but overall I enjoy it a lot. I don't think I will be rating every single installment of this series. So I am going to put it here that I like this enough to re-read and the beginning gives my mushy heart joy, the end gives me joy in many ways, and the middle is all a fun ride.
I think a good amount of the middle of this series is handled a little less interestingly or well then I would have liked to see, but overall I enjoy it a lot. I don't think I will be rating every single installment of this series. So I am going to put it here that I like this enough to re-read and the beginning gives my mushy heart joy, the end gives me joy in many ways, and the middle is all a fun ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Minor: Stalking
If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose by Refaat Alareer
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
What a mix of emotions this book is. Half essay, half poetry... it is a beautiful plea for change, consideration, art, love and hope. It is so hard sometimes to feel hope in dark times and the way Refaat Alareer expressed himself is pure beauty. It is heartbreaking that we lost him so soon and we lost him to a genocide that so many have turned a blind eye on. The silver lining of this book is how many he clearly inspired and touched during his life and who he can continue to inspire with his writings after his passing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, and War
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Is it the best thing every written? No. But I have a soft place in my heart for this Webtoon become book. I love the myth of Persephone and Hades and love the playing around with characterization of the gods. The story is cute. The drawings are stunning. And my husband bought this book for me because of how much I enjoyed the Webtoon that I found when we were in COVID lockdown. I just... it warms my heart to revisit this story in this way!
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
funny
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
4.0
A fun and worthwhile rendition of Frankenstein. Especially once you are able to hear over the audio of "storm."