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alyssard's reviews
59 reviews
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism and Self harm
Where I Can't Follow by Ashley Blooms
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the concept of this book. I loved the metaphor of this book. I truly, truly wish the author didn’t have Maren and Julie have that conversation about Julie having attempted to commit suicide. It completely took me out of the book and made the metaphor of the situation of little doors and what they’re meant to be too on the nose. Overall, though, I loved this book. I related to it so much and think it’s an absolute must-read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, Alcohol, Car accident, Drug use, Death of parent, Dementia, Police brutality, Suicide, Alcoholism, and Suicide attempt
Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir by Lauren Slater
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book is so interestingly and intriguingly confusing in the best way possible
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Sexual content
Hazards of Time Travel by Joyce Carol Oates
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is so incredibly intriguing and has such an interesting premise but I think that premise is overshadowed by so much background information that doesn’t matter. For instance talking about Adriane’s course work and what exactly she’s learning and everything about everyone she ever meets. I would have enjoyed the book more if I could have learned more about what was in The Instructions.
Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff
adventurous
reflective
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Child abuse and Alcoholism
When Villains Rise by Rebecca Schaeffer
dark
reflective
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
5.0
This series is so perfect for someone like me; a former english major that loves fantasy and sci-fi but also LOVES philosophy and discussing the different moral dilemmas of life. As the reader you can’t help but empathize with Nita when she questions if what she is and who she is is morally correct. I loved how this series ended; tied up with a nice bow with enough room for fan speculation of what happened next. This series is PHENOMENAL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book feels like the warmest hug on the coldest day of the year. This book feels like a single light bulb that works in an otherwise pitch black room. This book will tear you apart in the best possible way. Mystery and love and lost and hope and hopelessness and never knowing what is going to happen next. I cannot recommend it enough.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
4.0
I understand why someone wouldn't like this book, I do, but I love the way this book is written sort of like a memoir and sort of like April is telling this insane story to an old friend. I love how she thinks back on random events in her life and ties it into the story of the Carls because I think it's really relatable to how a lot of real people tell stories to each other in real life. I'm also a huge fan of epistolary novels so the twitter updates every couple of chapters were very much appreciated, I thought they were so fun. I also loved how in depth the book went into the BTS of the industry April was suddenly thrown into. I think that is where the book loses a lot of people but I think it's really important to the narrative. Overall, a really interesting and fun read.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
5.0
This book was the classic enemies to lovers romance trope done in such a cute way; I love how Alex was written to be completely oblivious to the fact that he likes men for the majority of the book until he and Henry kiss during/after the new year's party. I think the way that Alex was written was just so realistic as to how a lot of young queer people will end up figuring out their sexualities and that representation in a book that is so popular right now is really important. This book honestly left me yearning to read another book about Henry and Alex sharing the brownstone that Henry bought in Brooklyn and Henry working on his Queer Youth Foundation and Alex working through law school because I just love them and their relationship so so much.