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marywahlmeierbracciano's reviews
829 reviews
Sound the Gong by Joan He
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Best read directly after its predecessor, Sound the Gong continues the story of Zephyr and the Three Kingdoms. Again filled with incredibly brave, badass warrior women, this book sees Zephyr navigate strategy by inhabiting the bodies of others. The characters in this story will do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals in a (sometimes literally) cutthroat environment, and yet, the chess pieces they manipulate in order to do so are not only pawns but also friends, allies, rulers. Zephyr’s powers are put to the test as she tries to change fate to get what she wants, but history is cyclical and destiny powerful. Will her choices have been worth it?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Suicide, Torture, and Vomit
Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Amidst a restrictive church community, three friends were drawn together by their covert queerness. In a moment of danger, they made a wish to the forest Patron, and now one of them is gone, and the others have forgotten everything. Five years later, Fern’s vying to be cast as the female lead in her senior musical (Grease) like her three older sisters. Jaq is on track to attend college alongside her sweet boyfriend, whom she’ll someday marry. A chance encounter leads them to the forest again, and they slowly start to remember. Told in dual timelines—before the wish, and after—this heart-pounding story exemplifies the pain of suppression, the necessity of safe spaces, and the boundlessness of queer identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Outing, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Finished just days before his death, master journalist David Halberstam’s The Coldest Winter extensively chronicles the politics surrounding the Korean War, intimately profiling key players: Truman, MacArthur, Mao, Kim Jong Il, and more. Plentiful miscalculations on both sides—many due to flagrant racism, swollen egos, and military politics—were matched with incredible feats of bravery, talent, and selflessness by many lesser-known figures (see: Kansas’s own Fr. Kapaun). Halberstam offers an enlightening look at cultural differences in strategy alongside personal stories from the front lines. An excellent overview of the conflict for those curious about the “Forgotten War.” Scott Brick’s commanding audiobook narration is superb.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Peter and Ivan—brothers, a decade apart—have just lost their father to cancer. Once close, now semi-estranged, they grieve independently. Peter a confident human rights lawyer and a miserable coward, self-medicating while juggling loves old and new. Ivan, the younger (whom I read as autistic), a chess player of missed potential, intense, tender, and in love for the first time. Intimate and erotic, the brothers’ stories unfold amid themes of philosophy. Intermezzo leaves one wondering—optimistically—what really matters, in the grand scheme of things. Sally Rooney is among my favorite living writers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, and Death of parent
Entitlement by Rumaan Alam
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've come to expect tense, highly descriptive stories of privilege and identity from Rumaan Alam, and Entitlement is just that. Amidst the backdrop of the Obama-era 2010s, the lines of reality blur in New York City. This unsettling novel sometimes paints its Black female protagonist as a villain, which is uncomfortable in itself, but what choice does she have but to play the field? Single in her thirties, she's just started a new job at a charitable foundation; a rich white man is giving away his fortune. You can't take it with you, and all. But also, ask and you shall receive.
Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
5.0
Wow. This is the book to give a grieving young person who connects to video games, graphic novels, and stories of adventure. It won’t feel like a “prescription.” With incredible visual storytelling and a unique and meaningful palindromic structure, this touching story illustrates the cyclical, reflective nature of life and death.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
How to Sing a Song by Kwame Alexander, Randy Preston
inspiring
relaxing
4.0
As a singer myself, I was struck by the way this book captures the feeling of freedom that singing provides. Everyone is worthy of taking up space and raising their voice. Visually exciting, poetic, and mindful, this is a great choice for musicians-in-training.
I'll Have What He's Having by Adib Khorram
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Two Kansas Citian men of color fall in love in this sizzling book that will make you want to wine and dine. Farzan’s a tender late bloomer—he can’t seem to get it together, but he’s determined to prove himself by taking over his parents’ restaurant. Former finance bro David’s studying to become a Master Sommelier, which would land him his dream job anywhere he wants. After an unforgettable meet cute, the two agree to keep things casual (cue: “Casual” by Chappell Roan), but amid movie nights, kickball leagues, and video game soundtracks, temporary turns into committed. With a big focus on self-esteem and personal growth, these leading men are a perfect pairing.
Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This video-game-centric Shakespearean retelling is friendly to noobs of both the Bard and of MMORPGs. Sick of misogynistic treatment, lifelong gamer Viola starts playing Twelfth Knight online under a male screen name. Sidelined after an injury, footballer Jack (a.k.a. “Duke” and Viola’s nemesis) reluctantly takes to the servers. They team up to complete a quest, but only Viola knows her true identity, which complicates things when they start falling for each other irl. This fun read is all about strong female representation and challenging assumptions!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny