papercraftalex's reviews
363 reviews

The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

This was a very touching and realistic portrayal of mentally ill and queer teens.
Skim by Mariko Tamaki

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The entire story was depressing with no concrete ending. The characters were all despicable, which I don’t mind if the characters are relatable but I couldn’t connect to them at all.
Threshold by Anke Gladnick

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.5

Anke Gladnick’s graphic allegorical memoir Threshold featured beautiful art and conversations about identity, especially trans identity. It was very metaphorical and it took me a while to fully understand what they were trying to say, but I enjoyed it fully.
Displacement by Kiku Hughes

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense 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

5.0

It was a heartbreaking read. The characters and their pain were so real and visceral. This is not a subject I (or probably many others) were taught in school and it was done in a captivating way that will forever reside in my mind.
From the Roots Up by Natasha Donovan, Tasha Spillett

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emotional hopeful informative reflective tense 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? No

5.0

Just like the previous one, I learned a lot I hadn’t previously known, but I think the author really found her footing in this story. The characters felt more whole and I loved the subplots.
Surviving the City by Natasha Donovan, Tasha Spillett

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emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I learned a lot from this story and there were great resources in the back. The art had a profound affect on the story and made it amazing.
The Crossroads at Midnight by Abby Howard

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dark fast-paced

3.5

Creepy as heck! Beautiful and terrifying
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

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funny lighthearted fast-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

4.0

Hibbert is a good writer. She is also perpetually British. It was, however, incredibly refreshing to see a protag with chronic illness. I related a lot to Chloe and I would love to see more characters like her.
Felon: Poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

This was a really great poetry collection. Betts is very good at playing with form.
Go Deep by Rilzy Adams

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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

4.0

This was so out of my comfort zone, but I loved it! It was very well written and edited; when I found out the author self-published I was in awe! I’d absolutely recommend this.