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bookdragon217's reviews
567 reviews
The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Flames of Wrath by J.L. Campbell
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Some kinds of dirt rise to the surface, even if you sweep them under the carpet."
Flames of Wrath by J. L. Campbell was an addicting, propulsive read about privilege, justice, racism and revenge. If you've ever wondered about what lengths a mother would go to, to get justice for her daughter after she was set up by "friends" and violated in the worst ways, then this one is a perfect example. The story starts off with a bang with a very triggering event and from there, the author grips you by the throat and holds you hostage. You won't want to put this one down until all the pieces of the puzzle are put together. This is one psychological wild ride you don't want to miss.
Even though this one was action-packed, it tackled some heavy themes and topics of:
• the ways the justice system fails Black women
• examination of "friendship"
• the repercussions of social media and cybersurveillance
• vigilante justice when the legal system fails
• the complications of cooperation with international entities
• the rich using their donation money to influence college admission for their kids
• r*pe culture and the systems that protect perpetrators
• the strength of Black mothers
If you're looking to diversify your TBR and read more small press women authors, then give this one a try. Thanks to @iamblackodyssey @cocoachapters for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
Flames of Wrath by J. L. Campbell was an addicting, propulsive read about privilege, justice, racism and revenge. If you've ever wondered about what lengths a mother would go to, to get justice for her daughter after she was set up by "friends" and violated in the worst ways, then this one is a perfect example. The story starts off with a bang with a very triggering event and from there, the author grips you by the throat and holds you hostage. You won't want to put this one down until all the pieces of the puzzle are put together. This is one psychological wild ride you don't want to miss.
Even though this one was action-packed, it tackled some heavy themes and topics of:
• the ways the justice system fails Black women
• examination of "friendship"
• the repercussions of social media and cybersurveillance
• vigilante justice when the legal system fails
• the complications of cooperation with international entities
• the rich using their donation money to influence college admission for their kids
• r*pe culture and the systems that protect perpetrators
• the strength of Black mothers
If you're looking to diversify your TBR and read more small press women authors, then give this one a try. Thanks to @iamblackodyssey @cocoachapters for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia
Safe Passage by G. Neri
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Safe Passage by G. Neri & David Brame put me through the wringer. It's a middle graphic novel set in Chicago about three kids who ditch school to try to get money from an overturned Brinks truck in hopes of saving their family from the impoverished conditions and violence of their city. Darius and Cissy already lost their mom to gun violence, and Booger seems to have lost hope and has a death wish with all his poor decisions. Darius was also hurt due to being shot. This graphic novel depicts the dangers of life in Chicago for today's youth. Much of the rise in violence was due to over 50 schools being closed and kids being forced to travel farther through territory to get to school. The public schools that remained open enacted the Safe Passage Program, where adults, many veterans undertake the job of ensuring students make it to school safely. There are signs posted delineating safe zones, and the adults coordinate safe passage and try to be informed about where violence is escalating. Reading this one had me so emotional, sad and heartbroken because there are so many inner city children losing their lives due to the consequences of the rising cost of living due to gentrification, police brutality, poverty, lack of resources, lack of strict gun laws and racism. There were times I didn't realize that I was holding my breath because I felt waves of tears coming uncontrollably. Overall, it was a really thought-provoking read & the illustrations bring the story to life. I highly recommend this one and it will be a great conversation starter for many about the harsh realities that Black youth face in the inner city. Take care of yourself while reading because this one will seep deep underneath your skin & make you uncomfortable.
Here are some additional books that would pair well with this one:
📚 I am Alfonso Jones (graphic novel)- Tony Medina
📚 Yummy, the Last Days of a Southside Shorty (graphic novel) - G. Neri
📚 Long Way Down (graphic novel)- Jason Reynolds
📚 Monster (MG novel)- Dean Myers
📚 Ghost Boys (MG novel)- Jewell Parker Rhodes
📚 Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice
📚 Children of Chicago - Cynthia Pelayo
Here are some additional books that would pair well with this one:
📚 I am Alfonso Jones (graphic novel)- Tony Medina
📚 Yummy, the Last Days of a Southside Shorty (graphic novel) - G. Neri
📚 Long Way Down (graphic novel)- Jason Reynolds
📚 Monster (MG novel)- Dean Myers
📚 Ghost Boys (MG novel)- Jewell Parker Rhodes
📚 Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice
📚 Children of Chicago - Cynthia Pelayo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
Minor: Ableism, Police brutality, and Racism
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Bullying and Murder
Dysfunction Junction by Robin W. Pearson
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Your Shadow Half Remains by Sunny Moraine
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"In the end, maybe it's disturbing how easy it was to adjust. How easy it is for the worst things imaginable to become normal."
I won Your Shadow Half Remains by Sunny Moraine through a @goodreads @tornightfire giveaway and it was such a creepy, little mind game. For such a short tale, it had all the terrifying elements I love that made me close the book at night because it was eerie and sinister. I love an unreliable narrator, atmospheric writing and dystopia caused by an event where the consequences aren't fully revealed yet. This one is described as Bird Box mixed with the Last of Us and it lived up to the hype but it also gave so much area as far as tension and character struggle. I was completely tuned in and couldn't wait until the truth was revealed.
The psychological aspects of this story are what really kept me interested until the end. The author really took her time building this world and introducing characters that had an air of mystery about them. I didn't really know who to trust because the characters were guarded but their world's circumstances amplified their isolation and feelings of anxiety about others. In their world, literally looking at someone could be the trigger to activate the "infection" that causes someone to spiral into violence. Riley, the main character has been isolated for so long that when she comes in contact with Ellis, old traumas resurface and her mind begins to play tricks on her. As a reader at one point, even I questioned if there even was a reason to not look because no one had a definitive answer as to what exactly was the cause of their current situation.
The mood definitely parallels the paranoia and fear people have felt during the last several years of this pandemic. By the end of this one, I could definitely understand how eventually some people could just snap and how the mind plays tricks on people in order to protect them from their innermost demons. The ending was jarring and left me with my jaw on the floor because it was pretty twisted. I have so many questions but I'm almost afraid to know more because this one really makes you feel uncomfortable and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
If you fancy slow paced, horror novellas with lots of gore that delve into what happens to the human psyche when pushed to the limit then definitely give this one a try and read it in the dark. Movies and shows that come to mind when I think about this one are: The Strangers, The Walking Dead, The Crazies and The Happening. I loved this one so much I can't wait to read more of Moraine's work.
I won Your Shadow Half Remains by Sunny Moraine through a @goodreads @tornightfire giveaway and it was such a creepy, little mind game. For such a short tale, it had all the terrifying elements I love that made me close the book at night because it was eerie and sinister. I love an unreliable narrator, atmospheric writing and dystopia caused by an event where the consequences aren't fully revealed yet. This one is described as Bird Box mixed with the Last of Us and it lived up to the hype but it also gave so much area as far as tension and character struggle. I was completely tuned in and couldn't wait until the truth was revealed.
The psychological aspects of this story are what really kept me interested until the end. The author really took her time building this world and introducing characters that had an air of mystery about them. I didn't really know who to trust because the characters were guarded but their world's circumstances amplified their isolation and feelings of anxiety about others. In their world, literally looking at someone could be the trigger to activate the "infection" that causes someone to spiral into violence. Riley, the main character has been isolated for so long that when she comes in contact with Ellis, old traumas resurface and her mind begins to play tricks on her. As a reader at one point, even I questioned if there even was a reason to not look because no one had a definitive answer as to what exactly was the cause of their current situation.
The mood definitely parallels the paranoia and fear people have felt during the last several years of this pandemic. By the end of this one, I could definitely understand how eventually some people could just snap and how the mind plays tricks on people in order to protect them from their innermost demons. The ending was jarring and left me with my jaw on the floor because it was pretty twisted. I have so many questions but I'm almost afraid to know more because this one really makes you feel uncomfortable and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
If you fancy slow paced, horror novellas with lots of gore that delve into what happens to the human psyche when pushed to the limit then definitely give this one a try and read it in the dark. Movies and shows that come to mind when I think about this one are: The Strangers, The Walking Dead, The Crazies and The Happening. I loved this one so much I can't wait to read more of Moraine's work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith Jr.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
"How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" by Tony Keith, Jr. is a poignant, memoir in verse that will capture your heart forever. Tony's poetry has sharp edges and cuts you deeply at times but it also scoops you up in a big hug and leads you towards the light of hope. Keith makes you take a long look at the ways that queer Black youth are made to feel unsafe and forced to role play their lives in order to make others comfortable and not want to hurt them.
I loved the format of this novel. It included photos, poems and pages from Keith's notebook. This mixed media form was a perfect way to show how Keith navigated life as an anxious, queer Black boy trying to figure out his own sexual identity and make place for himself in a world that is hostile and violent towards Black people. I loved that the poems gave you a personal glimpse into Keith's thoughts and you are given the opportunity to question what he questions about society.
Reflecting on this one, I am left pondering about:
▪︎the ways that straight performance pervades every aspect of society
▪︎ the ways that queer kids have to hide within themselves and battle their own inner voices of shame because of not having safe spaces to be themselves
▪︎ the ways that poetry can speak what is in the heart and be used to break down systems of oppression
▪︎ the importance of community and acceptance for queer kids
▪︎ the ways that people pleasing create anxieties and heighten fear about showing up authentically and in the fullness of ones identity
▪︎ the ways that self-talk is important when you're learning to take leaps of faith in yourself and get over the imposter syndrome
▪︎ the"coming out" journey as a complex process that is further complicated by racism, homophobia, violence, social stigma & toxic masculinity
▪︎ how HBCU's can foster self esteem and become a safe space for self exploration
▪︎ how language and the arts can create freedom
▪︎ the importance of safe adults to development of self-worth and identity
If you loved The Black Flamingo, When We Make It, The Poet X and All Boys Aren't Blue, then run and go grab this one immediately. There are so many beautiful lines.Thanks to @epicreads for the gifted ARC.
I loved the format of this novel. It included photos, poems and pages from Keith's notebook. This mixed media form was a perfect way to show how Keith navigated life as an anxious, queer Black boy trying to figure out his own sexual identity and make place for himself in a world that is hostile and violent towards Black people. I loved that the poems gave you a personal glimpse into Keith's thoughts and you are given the opportunity to question what he questions about society.
Reflecting on this one, I am left pondering about:
▪︎the ways that straight performance pervades every aspect of society
▪︎ the ways that queer kids have to hide within themselves and battle their own inner voices of shame because of not having safe spaces to be themselves
▪︎ the ways that poetry can speak what is in the heart and be used to break down systems of oppression
▪︎ the importance of community and acceptance for queer kids
▪︎ the ways that people pleasing create anxieties and heighten fear about showing up authentically and in the fullness of ones identity
▪︎ the ways that self-talk is important when you're learning to take leaps of faith in yourself and get over the imposter syndrome
▪︎ the"coming out" journey as a complex process that is further complicated by racism, homophobia, violence, social stigma & toxic masculinity
▪︎ how HBCU's can foster self esteem and become a safe space for self exploration
▪︎ how language and the arts can create freedom
▪︎ the importance of safe adults to development of self-worth and identity
If you loved The Black Flamingo, When We Make It, The Poet X and All Boys Aren't Blue, then run and go grab this one immediately. There are so many beautiful lines.Thanks to @epicreads for the gifted ARC.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Police brutality, and Racism
Out of Body by Nia Davenport
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
The Two Lives of Sara: A Novel by Catherine Adel West
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Not in the mood and felt like I needed to read first book