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natreviews's reviews
420 reviews
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Want to finish up my ABC challenge first
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
So I wasn't the dinosaur kid in my family, but liked them enough. I mean, what kid doesn't like dinosaurs? So I picked up this book because of that and I needed a J for my Alphabet challenge, and I found an amazing book.
I will say if you're going in from the movies, expect it not to be like that. Compared to the book, the movie is a child/teen flick. The book is more graphic in deaths and in the number of deaths.
It's interesting that the science of the book (which was published in 1990) still holds up in 2022. Not all of the science, but the thought that dinosaurs came from birds more than reptiles which I don't think was all that popular of a theory back in the day has been pretty much confirmed now (to the point that we highly suspect they had feathers).
Overall, what a great read!
I will say if you're going in from the movies, expect it not to be like that. Compared to the book, the movie is a child/teen flick. The book is more graphic in deaths and in the number of deaths.
It's interesting that the science of the book (which was published in 1990) still holds up in 2022. Not all of the science, but the thought that dinosaurs came from birds more than reptiles which I don't think was all that popular of a theory back in the day has been pretty much confirmed now (to the point that we highly suspect they had feathers).
Overall, what a great read!
We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was another book on booktok that was deemed to be really disturbing and a good horror read. For me, it wasn't.
I grew up with the internet and knowing about the posts and videos like those described, so I guess it's not that shocking to me. The lesson that this stuff will fuck you up isn't new. The writing wasn't bad and it was well paced, I guess just the subject matter doesn't shock or disturb me. I did catch the subtle nod to Luka Magnotta though which I thought was interesting to include. Not shocking that it was included, but interesting that the author did think of the case when writing.
I grew up with the internet and knowing about the posts and videos like those described, so I guess it's not that shocking to me. The lesson that this stuff will fuck you up isn't new. The writing wasn't bad and it was well paced, I guess just the subject matter doesn't shock or disturb me. I did catch the subtle nod to Luka Magnotta though which I thought was interesting to include. Not shocking that it was included, but interesting that the author did think of the case when writing.
Moon Knight: Legacy - The Complete Collection by Paul Davidson, Max Bemis, Jacen Burrows, Ty Templeton
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I originally DNF'd this comic. After reading the Lemire run (I've reviewed it) I decided to go back and it got me more. So read that run first, then this one (there are references to the previous run in this collection as well, so things will just make more sense).
Overall I liked it. The ending was a bit cliché, but it all around was good.
Overall I liked it. The ending was a bit cliché, but it all around was good.
Snotgirl, Vol. 1: Green Hair Don't Care by Leslie Hung, Bryan Lee O’Malley
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love the art style, the characters I hate, but what the fuck was that cliffhanger? Like, it was a good cliffhanger and does make you want to get the next volume, but... what?!?
Zero Repeat Forever by G.S. Prendergast
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
So this book. To be honest, I didn't really enjoy this. I would've given up on it if I didn't need a Z book for my Alphabet Reading Challenge.
In broad strokes this is a re-telling of Beauty and The Beast. Classic inhuman kidnaps girl and holds her hostage for a bit, he is totally in love and obsessed with her and she knows nothing about him, but eventually falls for him. Now, I will say I'm fine with this trope and have no problem with it BUT it wasn't mentioned anywhere. See, I'm fine with this trope being in adult books or having it as a warning and letting the reader know this is going to be in it, but this is a YA novel. This is advertised to teens, who, let's be honest, aren't always the smartest. This shouldn't be considered romantic, which it is in this book. It really put me off of reading it to be honest since I was in it for weird alien invasion sci-fi, not alien beauty and the beast falling in love.
Also, there are somethings as a Canadian that really pissed me off. The major one being they always talk about distance in miles. MILES?!? YOU'RE IN CANADA! Here we use kilometers. I understand if these characters were from the 80's maybe them using miles, but as someone who was born in 1999, we literally only use kilometers. That or measuring things based on how much time it takes to get there (ex. 200km in a car can take about 4 hours, depending on speed limits). It really took me out of the book when they kept on mentioning miles.
The book does have a good cliff hanger, I will give it that. Will I continue with this series? Probably not. Just isn't for me.
In broad strokes this is a re-telling of Beauty and The Beast. Classic inhuman kidnaps girl and holds her hostage for a bit, he is totally in love and obsessed with her and she knows nothing about him, but eventually falls for him. Now, I will say I'm fine with this trope and have no problem with it BUT it wasn't mentioned anywhere. See, I'm fine with this trope being in adult books or having it as a warning and letting the reader know this is going to be in it, but this is a YA novel. This is advertised to teens, who, let's be honest, aren't always the smartest. This shouldn't be considered romantic, which it is in this book. It really put me off of reading it to be honest since I was in it for weird alien invasion sci-fi, not alien beauty and the beast falling in love.
Also, there are somethings as a Canadian that really pissed me off. The major one being they always talk about distance in miles. MILES?!? YOU'RE IN CANADA! Here we use kilometers. I understand if these characters were from the 80's maybe them using miles, but as someone who was born in 1999, we literally only use kilometers. That or measuring things based on how much time it takes to get there (ex. 200km in a car can take about 4 hours, depending on speed limits). It really took me out of the book when they kept on mentioning miles.
The book does have a good cliff hanger, I will give it that. Will I continue with this series? Probably not. Just isn't for me.
Moon Knight by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev by Matthew Wilson, Alex Maleev, Cory Petit, Matt Hollingsworth, Brian Michael Bendis
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To be honest, I really wasn't into this storyline.
Instead of the normal Marc/Steven/Jake dynamic, they switched it for Marc/Captain America/Spider-Man/Wolverine. I mean it is a cool idea in theory, but in practice it just didn't super work for me.
I will say this does feature my favourite out of context panel though (when Carol Denvers asks if anyone has dated Moon Knight and Spider-Man says 'A little bit'), but other than that I would skip this line. It also ties into Age of Ultron, which is cool, but just not something I'm interested in.
Instead of the normal Marc/Steven/Jake dynamic, they switched it for Marc/Captain America/Spider-Man/Wolverine. I mean it is a cool idea in theory, but in practice it just didn't super work for me.
I will say this does feature my favourite out of context panel though (when Carol Denvers asks if anyone has dated Moon Knight and Spider-Man says 'A little bit'), but other than that I would skip this line. It also ties into Age of Ultron, which is cool, but just not something I'm interested in.
The Blood of the Vampire by Florence Marryat
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
I honestly can't remember where I first heard of this book. I will say for being published the same year as Dracula, it is a very good read.
This isn't your 'traditional' vampire (sucking blood, immortal, etc.), but more of what you think of with Mercy Brown (America's first 'Vampire'); sucking the life force/energy out of someone until they die. It's this premise that an interesting story is told.
You will need to keep in mind the society this book was written in. Woman are treated as objects, slavery was a normal thing, etc. (so expect the N word to show up because it does).
Overall, if you're looking for classic vampire novels I would add this one onto your list.
This isn't your 'traditional' vampire (sucking blood, immortal, etc.), but more of what you think of with Mercy Brown (America's first 'Vampire'); sucking the life force/energy out of someone until they die. It's this premise that an interesting story is told.
You will need to keep in mind the society this book was written in. Woman are treated as objects, slavery was a normal thing, etc. (so expect the N word to show up because it does).
Overall, if you're looking for classic vampire novels I would add this one onto your list.
Moon Knight: The Complete Collection by Jeff Lemire
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My first introduction to Moon Knight was through the Disney+ show. After finishing that series (and loving it) I thought I would give some of the comics a try. This Moon Knight collection shows the origins of Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Jake Lockley. It's also what the second half of the Disney+ series is based on for some segments.
I liked this run. It was confusing at times, but overall fun. Of course we need to touch on the issue of DID. Again, this isn't great representation. It came off as something that could and can't be cured (depending on the issue of the comic) and doesn't show a good representation of what it's like to live with the disorder. On one hand people will say it's just a comic so it doesn't need to adhere to what the disorder is actually like, on the other hand I've heard other runs of Moon Knight have delt with the issue better.
Overall I did like this run and will probably read it again at some point. It's basic premise is about dealing with your inner demons, which it does a pretty okay job at portraying, minus the whole DID thing.
I liked this run. It was confusing at times, but overall fun. Of course we need to touch on the issue of DID. Again, this isn't great representation. It came off as something that could and can't be cured (depending on the issue of the comic) and doesn't show a good representation of what it's like to live with the disorder. On one hand people will say it's just a comic so it doesn't need to adhere to what the disorder is actually like, on the other hand I've heard other runs of Moon Knight have delt with the issue better.
Overall I did like this run and will probably read it again at some point. It's basic premise is about dealing with your inner demons, which it does a pretty okay job at portraying, minus the whole DID thing.
Circe by Madeline Miller
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As with a lot of really good books, this should be one you should just go read. My review will be short. The only thing that stopped this from being a 5 was that I found it a bit too long. At points the book seems to drag on. It makes sense (given that you can feel her immortality and it's length through this), but at times it made me just wish the book ended.