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catalyst226's reviews
188 reviews
The Dead Don't Need Reminding: In Search of Fugitives, Mississippi, and Black TV Nerd Shit by Julian Randall
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A thoughtful reflection on a variety of topics both pop culture and deeply personal to the author.
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
Because this was a short, self-contained story, there wasn't a ton of depth to any of the smaller characters but I personally found them more interesting than the overarching plot between Vitrene and the angel.
I had to switch to audio after reading five or so chapters because I couldn't get into the story enough to read the physical copy.
I had to switch to audio after reading five or so chapters because I couldn't get into the story enough to read the physical copy.
Betrayed by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
Sixteen-year-old chosen one trope. Why is mentor suddenly having a massive personality shift? Why is this 20-something flirting with a teenager? All of these people lost a good friend, Zoey has BIG main character syndrome.
I'm reading this like a soap opera. Let me have my cynicism and still enjoy this, okay?
I'm reading this like a soap opera. Let me have my cynicism and still enjoy this, okay?
Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
Twist upon twist upon twist. This book started off a bit slow and had a lot of sci-fi elements that had to be spelled out for me to comprehend but it was well worth it and all came up again to fill in the story.
A great commentary of womanhood, motherhood, Blackness, nationality, and overall power. I haven't read something like this in a while and would love to recommend to everyone. Be wary if you're not interested in gore.
A great commentary of womanhood, motherhood, Blackness, nationality, and overall power. I haven't read something like this in a while and would love to recommend to everyone. Be wary if you're not interested in gore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Miscarriage
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another great entry in this series. I'm really enjoying the jump to another paladin that we've gotten some references to in the previous novels. This one in particular was great because we'd shifted away from the BBEG from the previous two novels so it felt very fresh. I liked the main couple, I liked the trials, I liked the pacing.
Please for the love of everything, I hope we don't have another paladin that thinks they aren't worthy of love in the next book.
Please for the love of everything, I hope we don't have another paladin that thinks they aren't worthy of love in the next book.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. Just wow.
This was poetically written and gives such a great look at addiction, loss, love, and seeking meaning in life.
This was poetically written and gives such a great look at addiction, loss, love, and seeking meaning in life.
Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
A great prequel to Elatsoe which I read back in 2023. We follow Shane, the grandmother of our original protagonist, back in the 1970s on a mission to find missing children and a family member.
There are a couple plot points that are very quick in the grand scheme of the novel's story but overall enjoyable!
There are a couple plot points that are very quick in the grand scheme of the novel's story but overall enjoyable!
Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
From the author's dedication to her letter at the end, this was a letter to women and the difficulties they face in terms of beauty, society, and the struggle to love yourself.
I really enjoyed the layered storytelling that spanned mostly the women in our main character's life (with a couple men involved with the family for additional details). You learn about each woman's life and struggles and it culminates in a really powerful interaction at the end of the novel. The story ends fairly open-ended but I don't mind.
I really enjoyed the layered storytelling that spanned mostly the women in our main character's life (with a couple men involved with the family for additional details). You learn about each woman's life and struggles and it culminates in a really powerful interaction at the end of the novel. The story ends fairly open-ended but I don't mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape and Abortion
Marked by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Rereading this series that I first started back in middle school... Wow, I've changed a lot in 18 years and so have my tastes (but I'm still enjoying it for the most part with some mild cringing). This reads like a teenager's diary and has the highschool stakes nailed down.
I'm looking forward to actually getting the rest of the story and found myself remembering some of the upcoming plot points already.
I'm looking forward to actually getting the rest of the story and found myself remembering some of the upcoming plot points already.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
dark
emotional
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
4.0
I went into this without any background info so BE WARNED THIS BOOK FEATURES CHILD ABUSE.
I really enjoyed the story overall but the ending wrapped up quite quickly and fell a little flat. Kingfisher writes a wonderful "mature" romantic subplot and really fleshes out every main character. She also writes incredible horror elements. She's also got some beef with horses...
I really enjoyed the story overall but the ending wrapped up quite quickly and fell a little flat. Kingfisher writes a wonderful "mature" romantic subplot and really fleshes out every main character. She also writes incredible horror elements. She's also got some beef with horses...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse