baponthecob's reviews
81 reviews

Theo Nhịp Chân Vui by Trinh Ngọc

informative

4.0

Những người bạn by Aihara Hiroyuki

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

I loved this book, cried twice. -0.5 because of the questions I had throughout. Most were answered eventually, but not in a timely manner. I also don't think the ambiguous setting worked, especially because this book was clearly set in America (multiple instances of characters saying "here in America, etc). The attempt just made things confusing.
Chiamaka and Devon were pretty cardboard cutout in the beginning, but I grew to love them, especially Devon. The ending was also wrapped up nicely. Although I wonder how they finished/made up for their senior year, I suppose it doesn't matter much, since the point was that life moved on and they ended up okay.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.0

this book had a lot of promise, but the author did not deliver. it's their first adult novel and you can tell. the writing was SO repetitive. i think 100 pages could have been cut just from repetition alone.
the plot twist reveal was not bad. i also usually dont like 1st person pov, but i think it works here due to sigourney's ability to "sink in" to a person's mind. bc of this, we get some parts that read like 3rd person, which is really interesting. however, this doesn't make up for the writing style itself.
parts of the plot are still not explained by the end or dont make sense no matter what. for example,

sigourney suspected niklasson of being the one tricking them, despite reading his thoughts and knowing that he loved the king and was deeply hurt and confused by the king's change in behavior

and that's just ONE plot point. there are many more.
maybe the editor was the friends we made along the way!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Alcohol

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

reflective slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Blood, Car accident, War

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis

informative

4.75

there are many repeated topics due to the nature of the book, especially with the interviews. i would have liked more in-depth answers for those too. overall, it is a great introduction to learning about intersectionality.

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

loved the plot, but the way it was written didnt flow; it felt like i was being jerked around. the writing itself was also repetitive and circular at times. there were some things that werent properly explained. the romance was okay except for the setup; the way they met and kindled their friendship was so random and they trusted each other too quickly to be believable imo.
other than that, i also loved the themes and symbolism represented and am optimistic about book 2.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Gore, Misogyny, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Torture, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol

This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska

adventurous funny hopeful 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

4.5

The Seven Seat: A True Story of Rowing, Revenge, and Redemption by Daniel J. Boyne

1.5

not terribly written, but so boring. could not see the point. i have never been less interested in a book in my life.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? No

4.5