jrobin19's reviews
371 reviews

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke

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mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman

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emotional funny hopeful fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman

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emotional hopeful reflective
  • 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? Yes

4.0

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.0

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

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emotional lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

The Southern Tide by Hamish Williams

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adventurous medium-paced

3.75

I was given a free copy of this book to provide an honest review. 

Officially, this book is marketed for kids 8+, but I think that's a little young, at least for an at-level US reader. My 8yo son grew very bored before the end of the first chapter, needing multiple explanations - partially because the book is written with British-coded protagonists, partially because the book started with a lot of exposition. 

I finished the book myself and enjoyed it. The world feels familiar, a slightly less mundane version of our world, and I can see kids slightly older (10+) getting immersed in it. Overall enjoyable & I do plan to read the future books in the series.