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spencerjie's reviews
22 reviews
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don’t think I can write a thorough review without uncontrollably sobbing, so I’ll just say this. This book is easily my favorite book I have read this year. Maybe in my life time. Dash anyone who turns their nose down at young adult fiction. This is writing at its best.
Little by Edward Carey
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.
First, this book needs serious trigger warnings.
Second, for how closely it follows Asian history (including a very detailed retelling of the Rape of Nanjing), it does not do a good job of treating its characters that clearly represent the Taiwanese people with the respect they deserve. There is plenty of set up of prejudice, racism, and harsh/untrue stereotypes of the Speerly without the investigative work or clear denouncement of Chinese propaganda and misconceptions of Taiwan. I should not have been surprised and this was written by a Chinese author, but I urge writers from countries that have brutalized and colonized smaller nations to really take a hard look at their opinions of others before writing characters to be “savages” or “uncontrollable.”
The fantasy aspects and the prose itself are fantastic and that is precisely what is so disappointing about this book. The author clearly has impressive talent and great potential. However, politics especially those with deep histories of mistreatment should not be written about so shallowly.
Second, for how closely it follows Asian history (including a very detailed retelling of the Rape of Nanjing), it does not do a good job of treating its characters that clearly represent the Taiwanese people with the respect they deserve. There is plenty of set up of prejudice, racism, and harsh/untrue stereotypes of the Speerly without the investigative work or clear denouncement of Chinese propaganda and misconceptions of Taiwan. I should not have been surprised and this was written by a Chinese author, but I urge writers from countries that have brutalized and colonized smaller nations to really take a hard look at their opinions of others before writing characters to be “savages” or “uncontrollable.”
The fantasy aspects and the prose itself are fantastic and that is precisely what is so disappointing about this book. The author clearly has impressive talent and great potential. However, politics especially those with deep histories of mistreatment should not be written about so shallowly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
this book is, understandably, incredibly dark. taking place in war-torn Afghanistan, these personal stories get to the root of the effects of war, traditionalism, womanhood, religion, and so much more. gorgeous prose and insightful storytelling. i would be very cautious and cognizant that you are in a decent mental health space before you read this book because it is nothing short of brutal from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Oculta by Maya Motayne
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
5.0
this sequel to Nocturna is so intense and beautifully written you will want to read it in one sitting and immediately reread it again. i am awestruck by Motatyne’s prose and cannot wait for the third installment
The Whisper Man by Alex North
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.0
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
a great addition to the hunger games series. fleshing out coriolanus snow’s character in tandem with a kind of origin story for the hunger games themselves was a really good choice that made for a thrilling story.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
really weird pacing and an insane ending that doesn’t make much sense