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batmans's reviews
16 reviews
The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World by Antony Loewenstein
insightful and damning in the way it reveals the zionist entity’s hand in numerous global systems of oppression; definitely highlights the ways in which global liberation movements are deeply interconnected. however the author occasionally rehashes tired western talking points about the Palestinian resistance in Gaza. there is also a noticeable lack of Palestinian voices throughout. the text also advocates for the zionist entity to reevaluate its “defense” policies and settlements — changes that seem aimed more at rehabilitating the entity’s global image and clearing its conscience, overall lacking the necessary anticolonial imperative to dismantle the zionist entity altogether and free Palestine from the river to the sea.
The King of Crows by Libba Bray
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Self harm, Death, and Grief
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
a heavy (mind the trigger warnings!) fast-paced read – jake goes through a lot in this, but the author treats everything with such care. i really enjoyed the dual pov – both jake and sawyer have such distinct voices, and the way sawyer's deterioration matched jake's growing fear and paranoia created a really good tension throughout. jake is a compelling character you can't help rooting for and i enjoyed seeing him come into his own. i loved his delightful back and forths with allister and fiona. with sawyer, i think the author achieved a really good balance between an unflinching take on how people slip through the cracks of society (e.g., how jake sympathized with sawyer) while also not denying or justifying sawyer's actions (i.e., jake not excusing sawyer's actions and still being horrified by the person sawyer had become). i really enjoyed reading this, and the audiobook was an Experience in and of itself (highly recommend!). i think some parts could've lingered on for a bit longer, some of the conclusions jake came to seemed a bit rushed, and there could've been more realistic consequences for certain situations BUT it is a YA novel and i think jake more than deserved an uncomplicated happy ending. overall, this was such a refreshing take on a YA horror story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Murder, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Homophobia
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
Minor: Sexual assault and Incest
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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? No
4.5
super fun read, mona is a really charming narrator who is supported by a quirky cast of characters. a refreshing take on the idea of heroism (particularly what it means for a child/children to have to be heroes and how this is a failure on the part of adults). funny and witty narrative voice that doesn’t take away from serious or tense moments. just an overall delightful middlegrade book about wizards.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cannibalism, Death, Death of parent, and War
Poison Ivy: Thorns by Kody Keplinger, Sara Kipin
dark
hopeful
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
3.0
loved ivy, loved the gothic-horror aesthetic, loved the stunning art, loved ivy and alice's relationship (but i wish we'd gotten more i.e., a slower-burn romance, especially considering everything else that was happening in ivy's life). the pacing felt too rushed overall, which is really sad because the premise has so much potential!! but this is an altogether quick, decent read with some very cute ivy/alice moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual harassment