chloemakesbooks's reviews
724 reviews

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

challenging dark sad medium-paced

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

3.5

All about style; a poetic exploration of language and culture that happens to have a plot. Characters were flat, plot was tissue thin, but it was beautiful. Very little resolution, but what was there was at least happy. Giving it a 3 seems mean because it really was well done, but I just didn't love it. 

The Realms of the Gods by Tamora Pierce

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Lovable, but felt rushed/compacted. Hated the ending and the weird May/December relationship. Cameo at the end made me sob. I'll miss Tortall! Series is easily a 4 overall for lovability and ingenuity and nostalgia. 

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Poignant and poetic. I read the 25th anniversary edition and I thought the introduction was the best part of the book. High emotional impact, a perfect encapsulation of childhood.

Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

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

3.5

Not as good as #1, stakes fairly low for most of the book. Hoping for more from 3 and 4

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia

Moderate: Slavery, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Fatphobia, Excrement, Vomit

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

adventurous emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

Endearing. Nice to see old friends again. Tore through in 22 hours. I missed Tamora Pierce! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Death of parent

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Domestic abuse

Liquid: A Love Story by Mariam Rahmani

emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

I think the writing was gorgeous. The tone matched the conceit beautifully. The plot wasn't much to write home about, but I liked the characters. I wasn't sure how it was going to end in the last few pages, and actually started to root against the ending I'd wanted all along, which was an interesting magic trick. Well done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Minor: Drug use

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Well written, and publishing deserves a good skewering. A little heavy handed; Kuang chooses message over character, which is appropriate for the project. 

Reverie by Ryan La Sala

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

2.75

Maame by Jessica George

emotional funny sad 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

3.5

Almost gave up during the first half. A real slow start, and not a very likeable main character. However, as a semi autobiographical debut, the emotions ring true and I cried multiple times. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief

Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Medical content, Death of parent

Minor: Suicide, Classism

Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science by Erika Engelhaupt

informative fast-paced

3.75

Solid bit of science writing. Some topics more interesting than others (to be expected). Great factoids.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Excrement, Medical content, Cannibalism