alandd's reviews
1363 reviews

Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 by Wendy Martin

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

The synopsis masterfully summarizes what this book is about, but it doesn't mention how touching it is, how addictive and entertaining all the pages are, because it is impossible to put it down once you start. A solid script serves as an entry to a very well-constructed world, every detail carefully thought out, but without making it unnecessarily complicated.
Full review (April 24): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/04/comic-castle-swimmer-volume-1.html

La sinopsis resume magistralmente de qué se trata este libro, pero no menciona lo enternecedor que es, lo adictivas y entretenidas que son todas las páginas, porque es imposible soltarlo una vez que empiezas. Un guión sólido sirve como entrada para un mundo muy bien construido, cada detalle pensado minuciosamente, pero sin volverlo innecesariamente complicado.
Reseña completa (24 de abril): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/04/comic-castle-swimmer-volume-1.html

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

The story captivated me from the first moment. Silas's voice is so strong, so solid, that it's impossible not to immerse yourself in the reality of him. He is a very well-constructed protagonist, just like the story, surprising with every opportunity, as viscerally human as can be, to the point of involving you in this emotional reality.
Full review (04-22): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/04/resena-review-spirit-bares-its-teeth.html

La historia me atrapó desde el primer momento. La voz de Silas es tan fuerte, tan sólida, que es imposible no sumergirse en su realidad. Es un protagonista muy bien construido, al igual que la historia, sorprendiendo con cada oportunidad, tan visceralmente humano como se puede ser, hasta el punto de envolverte en esta realidad emocional.
Reseña completa (22 de abril): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/04/resena-review-spirit-bares-its-teeth.html

Twilight Director's Notebook: The Story of How We Made the Movie Based on the Novel by Stephenie Meyer by Catherine Hardwicke

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

Barefoot Souls by Maram Al-Masri

dark hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

The Jinn Daughter by Rania Hanna

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing 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

5.0

Refreshing and creative, overflown with emotion and vivid imagery, The Jinn Daughter is a novel that aims high just to deliver as much and then some. Rania Hanna has brilliantly started her writing career, also during a time when the Middle East has garnered a lot of attention. I highly recommend this book if you want a different kind of fantasy while exploring the meaning of death in human life.

Full review: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/04/resena-review-jinn-daughter.html

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Police brutality, Blood, Grief, and Murder

Minor: War and Suicide

Plurielle(s) by Kid Toussaint, Aveline Stokart

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-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

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

dark emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced

0.0

The first few pages were amazing, but then it was so simplistic and devoid of emotion I finished it expecting it to get better. Spoiler alert:

it didn't

All You Want, Whenever You Want by Omayu

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

A cute, wholesome romance that explores a taboo relationship and how daily life can complicate things more than it should. It doesn't have the best beginning, but it catches up real quick.

Liberty Walks Naked: Poems by Maram Al-Masri

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

 

Raw but beautiful. More books like this are needed in the world.

Crudo pero hermoso. Hacen falta más libros como este en el mundo.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Genocide, Gun violence, Violence, War, Police brutality, and Torture

Teenage Dirtbags by James Acker

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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

I'm a sucker for all things mental health related, even more when it's during adolescence. I love it when an author gives a truthful, real image of what it is like to be a teenager with issues. I was expecting something good with this book, but I found absolute perfection.

Full review to be published on February 14:  https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/02/resena-review-teenage-dirtbags.html