adamcordner's reviews
56 reviews

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Negative Space by B.R. Yeager

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I like individual aspects of this story. I like the characters, despite usually hating unlikeable characters. I like the mystery. I like the framing device - following three main characters' perspectives and a fourth main character who is mostly a mystery to us. But I don't think it all quite came together for me. I think it would benefit from a reread, but it doesn't compel me to reread it (at least not yet). I would still recommend it, I certainly enjoyed it and found it a compelling read. Truly captures the way that life just happens, and sometimes we never know why. 

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is so cute

BEASTARS, Vol. 22 by Paru Itagaki

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I really love Beastars and all of the characters with all my heart. I truly wish the characters got a better conclusion than this one, but upon reading through it for the first time since the initial Japanese release I find myself feeling more bittersweet than upset. I love any excuse to see more of Legoshi and I'm glad that we can see a continuation of these characters in Beast Complex and the ongoing anime series. 

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

Warm and buttery. 

Wolves by Simon Ings

challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A compelling look at a possible near-future dystopia battered by climate change and intrusive tech. Despite the dark premise, the book is hopeful about humanity's future, affirming that humans will generally choose to help each other even when living on the edge of societal collapse. 

The plot delivers on the thriller elements very well. I was constantly looking forward to finding the next piece of the puzzle, and the answers to the mystery were stringed out in a satisfying manner. 

Ubik by Philip K. Dick

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.5

Confusing and open ended, in a good way. I liked a lot of these ideas more than their execution (e.g. Pat's talent) but the overall execution of the story was enjoyable. I was very invested in finding out the truth of what's going on. The ending brings up a whole bunch of other questions and really left me thinking. 

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I was very fond of the style of prose used throughout, however, it was a difficult read at times given the subject matter it chooses to focus on. Still, I think it accomplished exactly what it set out to do very well. Definitely not for everyone. Please check out a list of trigger warnings before reading if you're sensitive to any violent themes. 

Love on the Other Side - A Nagabe Short Story Collection by Nagabe

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Very cutesy. Some of the stories are very weird, but they're all cute. Very typical Nagabe content, which is always a good time.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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