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xwritingstoriesx's reviews
221 reviews
Killstreme by Rayne Havok
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, and War
The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World by Antony Loewenstein
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
dark
sad
fast-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
4.5
I've never read anything quite like this. Written in free verse with the words meandering on the page, i really enjoyed the experimental use of format and poetic style. When format choices coincide with character arcs, story themes and tone, I tend to appreciate the overarching story much more. I really do cherish art that is divisive, intrusive and real. While I didn't like the choice she made to keep her baby, I'm glad that this book chose to show the audience that quick fixes (such a band-aid baby) which refuse to address the underlying issue won't solve the problem. The realism of the final page was quite haunting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Woe to Those Who Dwell on Earth by John Lynch
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
blood in the sand - 3 stars
butcher at bridgeport - 3 stars
the tree farm - 3 stars
stasis - 3.75 stars
the hale koa incident - 3.5 stars
cock meat sandwich - 3.5 stars
bow saw - 4 stars
noose - 4 stars
wing night - 4 stars
open the window, tommy - 3.75 stars
the newlyweds - 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Shiga Hime Volume 5 by Hirohisa Satō
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Shiga Hime Volume 4 by Hirohisa Satō
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0