tuma's reviews
417 reviews

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring sad 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

4.25

I love the African mythology framing this stories. It's powerful how Africans are represented authentically during the 1400. With history, innovation, culture BEFORE enslavement. Enjoyed learning how the orishas and other creatures of myth. 
The Silence of Bones by June Hur

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challenging dark informative mysterious tense slow-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

4.25

Like nothing I've read before! Reading a book set on Joseon Korea is really interesting. Learned a lot about a unique time period. The mystery kept me on my toes. Multiple lines of mystery at same time. Important themes about status, belonging, loneliness, and home. 
A Man and His Cat, Volume 1 by Umi Sakurai

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

3.0

Quick, cute read. Made me chuckle and smile. Sweet. 😊
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

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challenging dark mysterious sad 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

4.0

This was such a cool thriller concept. Take something very real, such as gentrification, and give it a dark twist that one doesn't see coming. There are hints but not enough to fully connect all the dots until you're meant to, which made for an engaging read. The ending was a bit over the top without all logical loose ends tied up. But I don't hate it. Overall a very satisfying read. I feel compelled to do research on gentrification patterns now...👀 Make sure no crazy shit is secretly going down!
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow wow woooow! This was incredible! Well written. Fascinating storyline. Captivating pacing. Hooked completely from beginning to end. Read in two days. Wish some characters were better developed but plot was more important here than character development. I also appreciate the mixed media style. Narrative, interspersed with podcast transcriptions and news articles. Now, to read all of Tiffany D. Jackson's backlist cause I'm in love! 
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The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

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adventurous emotional tense slow-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

Wow! This was an ambitious novel, expertly executed! Magical realism adventure that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Ending was super satisfied too. 
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

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informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

Really powerful read. So important for anyone who is struggling with gender identity. Upsets me that this book is so heavily banned. 
Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

When We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez

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hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Powerful poetry. Tons  heart striking lines that I had to underline and tag. Super relatable to me as a fellow New York who grew up in the Bronx without my family having a ton of money. We didn't struggle as much as Sarai's family but I definitely understand the preoccupation with "making it". Trying to get out of the hood. But as I got older and went to college, I learned like Sarai, that "making it" doesn't always mean leaving. You can make it simply by completely accepting yourself as you are and living your best life whatever that means for you. 
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They Called Us Enemy by Steven Scott, George Takei, Justin Eisinger

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Very much recommend! Great way to learn about impact of an often left out moment in American history.