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skitch41's reviews
984 reviews
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
An incredible blend of Sci-fi and literary fiction with an ending that is both beautiful, yet slightly unsatisfying. The ending is also a wee bit of a mind-f**k that I am still trying to process. It’s also three different stories in one, each pushing the other forward in different ways. Does an author ever truly die? Where does one story end and another begin ? This book blurs those questions in beautiful ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Rampage: Macarthur, Yamashita, and the Battle of Manila by James M. Scott
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
An absolutely horrendous view of the cataclysmic battle for the Philippine Capitol during WWII. The details of the atrocities commuted by Japanese soldiers against civilian men, women, and children often reads like a 1980s slasher flick, in the worst possible way. But the final part of the book detailing the war crimes trial of the Japanese commanding officer was fascinating and raises some judicial and ethical questions that are difficult to disentangle from the suffering detailed in the main section. It does take a long time for the book to actually get to the main action, but no book on war has ever really conveyed just how nightmarish it can truly be like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Rape, Torture, Mass/school shootings, and War
The Volcano Daughters: A Novel by Gina María Balibrera
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Rape
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Alcoholism
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Rape, Torture, and Murder
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Abandonment
Tempest Breaker by Cavan Scott
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
Moderate: Rape
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
How Long 'til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
challenging
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? No
3.5