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knitted_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Gore, and Violence
jupiterlee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Zombie apocalypse novels can be touch and go just due to the natural of them, but this one was a little different of a take (nothing majorly new though) but with a romance at the heart of it. If you are wanting something gory, action packed and full of zombies, this really is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a romance set in this type of world, a romance between two shy boys then this is the book for you.
Now while this is a zombie/undead apocalypse book, it does touch on slavery: exploiting ones that are different to do the work for another, in fear of being killed or found out. There is also a hint of implied sexual assault, but that it is if you squint at the page and if your like me and that's where your mind goes when someone says "they'll be made to do more than just work for them".
Such an easy quick read, and ill be picking up the sequel as soon as I can!
Now while this is a zombie/undead apocalypse book, it does touch on slavery: exploiting ones that are different to do the work for another, in fear of being killed or found out. There is also a hint of implied sexual assault, but that it is if you squint at the page and if your like me and that's where your mind goes when someone says "they'll be made to do more than just work for them".
Such an easy quick read, and ill be picking up the sequel as soon as I can!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Trafficking, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
nevermoregothic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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: Blood, Body horror, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Bullying, Slavery, Trafficking, Sexism, and Misogyny
magpi3's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
This was a little slow to start but it started running once it got going. The events towards the end were a little jumbled but it was an excellently crafted story. Romance was sweet if a little quick but they are both teenagers which fits. I liked Peter being softer and being able to be soft in a post-apocalyptic world, it’s something most books don’t even consider.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking
Moderate: Gun violence, Gore, Animal death, Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual violence and Death of parent
bookishpriest's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
It is always a good recommendation when I'm able to sit down and read a book cover-to-cover in one sitting. This is precisely what happened for me with Wranglestone. The blizzard outside may have contributed to the overall atmosphere, but the pacing of the story and a couple of unexpected twists kept me engaged and turning pages. I do not typically read a great deal of YA material and zombie tropes are hit-or-miss for me. Charlton's take on the latter was refreshing, using the threat of zombies primarily as a part of the setting, prompting interpersonal conflict and engagement between characters. This was a far better use of the idea, in my opinion, than the more obvious jump scares, body horror, or race-for-survival scenarios that might also have been used.
The pacing of the story was pleasantly quick. There was plenty happening that kept my interest and engagement with the plot and characters high and included moments of reflection and thoughtful development. In the last third of the story the pace felt a little rushed at times and I found myself trying to keep track of where and how certain specific events were happening, but the narrative held together well.
The main characters, especially Peter and Cooper, are far from perfect but were easy to love and cheer for throughout the book. Their budding romance is tender, sweet, and refreshingly appropriate for teenage protagonists in a YA novel. It is a lovely, healthy depiction of a gay romance between two young men. I was impressed with the variety of responses that the relationship between Peter and Cooper elicited from their community. Charlton wrote them with more nuance and care than I have seen in other writing of similar type and reading level, though I admit my experience here is limited.
Overall, Wranglestone was a fun, engaging read and I would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for some light suspense/horror with a zombie theme, a wholesome gay teen romance, all wrapped up with a few unexpected twists and turns!
A longer, more detailed review is available at www.bookishpriest.com
A longer, more detailed review is available at www.bookishpriest.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Animal death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Sexual assault
tori_spring's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Gun violence, Medical content, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
loverboy's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
paperlo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
This book started so strong that it had me gripped by the time I was only a few pages in. The relationship between Peter and Cooper from the very start was so charming and so much fun to read, the setting was so atmospheric and the mystery was intriguing.
It moved so quickly that things fell apart just a little for me as the book progressed - although it was still very entertaining and gripping throughout. I read it all in practically one sitting. The plot felt like it had to skim over moments that I would like to have seen, plus Cooper and Peter’s relationship felt as though it went from
the perfect build up to all at once developing much too quickly. All the same, both characters are so charming and their relationship is so lovely that you can’t help but desperately root for them the whole way through. I’ll be thinking about them for a while to come.
The mystery felt somewhat predictable the whole way through, although that never dampened my enjoyment. I wish that some of the moments and plot had been given a little bit more space to breathe and grow.
All the same, it was a fun read. I had a good time!
It moved so quickly that things fell apart just a little for me as the book progressed - although it was still very entertaining and gripping throughout. I read it all in practically one sitting. The plot felt like it had to skim over moments that I would like to have seen, plus Cooper and Peter’s relationship felt as though it went from
the perfect build up to all at once developing much too quickly. All the same, both characters are so charming and their relationship is so lovely that you can’t help but desperately root for them the whole way through. I’ll be thinking about them for a while to come.
The mystery felt somewhat predictable the whole way through, although that never dampened my enjoyment. I wish that some of the moments and plot had been given a little bit more space to breathe and grow.
All the same, it was a fun read. I had a good time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Gore, Blood, Body horror, and Genocide
Minor: Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, Rape, Slavery, and Trafficking
li_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Torture
oliverlang's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I needed this book to be longer.
I zoomed through this story so fast. I find that a lot of queer stories involve a process of coming out - I loved that there was no coming out involved in this book. A great first book from Darren Charlton and I eagerly await it's sequel! (Hopefully that ones longer, I need more of these types of stories in my life).
I zoomed through this story so fast. I find that a lot of queer stories involve a process of coming out - I loved that there was no coming out involved in this book. A great first book from Darren Charlton and I eagerly await it's sequel! (Hopefully that ones longer, I need more of these types of stories in my life).
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Blood, and Gun violence
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