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crusoe's reviews
186 reviews
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Voor het te laat is by Mark Carwardine, Douglas N. Adams
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Found this little gem at the thrift. I didn't know Douglas Adams had written about nature, what a fun little side quest! It reads like a Bill Bryson book and catches you by surprise occasionally with how funny it is.
Needed a break after reading something heavy and this did the trick just fine even if it's not groundbreaking.
Needed a break after reading something heavy and this did the trick just fine even if it's not groundbreaking.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Can't give this the full 5 stars because I could not connect well to the characters but in every other regard I adore this book! From the slow world-building to a fantastic climactic end; everything lines up. Every character has their own motivations, even the sidecharacters and that breathes real life into the story. It feels like there is much under the surface that can be revealed at a second read.
As someone who was once ensnared in the claws of academia, the way this story weaves theory with history and critique of the institution was quite nice.
Can't wait to read more in the dark academia subgenre of 'WTF RICHARD?!'
As someone who was once ensnared in the claws of academia, the way this story weaves theory with history and critique of the institution was quite nice.
Can't wait to read more in the dark academia subgenre of 'WTF RICHARD?!'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
The Darkest Hour by Erin Hunter
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is the perfect ending to an amazing first series in this franchise! The first half starts tense but isn't overly filled with dramatic plotpoints which makes the back end of the book feel like a punch to the gut.
Firestar's pride for his clan and him reflecting on their individual stories and skills before and during the battle was an emotional rollercoaster and the twist with scourge was excellent. Chapeau.
Firestar's pride for his clan and him reflecting on their individual stories and skills before and during the battle was an emotional rollercoaster and the twist with scourge was excellent. Chapeau.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Fun companion piece for fans of Twilight but it doesn't really add much to the overall narrative. Kind of a bore.
Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Complete Edition by Van Jensen
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Pinocchio vampire slayer is a fun story with some genuinely heartfelt moments. I think it might have hit harder if I'd read it in seperate installments instead of binging the collection.
The story was solid if at times simple, the artstyle rough but charming with some very impressive and original compositions. (Especially in the sections with lore like the woodcut scenes.) Sometimes it felt like I was missing a chunk of story when jokes mentioned adventures not covered in the graphic novel which was a shame. I did quite like the characters, especially the puppets from the puppet theatre. All in all, a solid read but it did feel like it was missing something.
The story was solid if at times simple, the artstyle rough but charming with some very impressive and original compositions. (Especially in the sections with lore like the woodcut scenes.) Sometimes it felt like I was missing a chunk of story when jokes mentioned adventures not covered in the graphic novel which was a shame. I did quite like the characters, especially the puppets from the puppet theatre. All in all, a solid read but it did feel like it was missing something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcohol
A Dangerous Path by Erin Hunter
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.5
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was, at once, a very strange and entertaining read. The unsettling atmosphere settles under your skin and the way Mary behaves becomes more disturbing as the book goes on. You know the saying about how to boil a frog? You only start to realise Mary's influence to the full extent when it's already too late. Because yes, why shouldn’t she dislike the townspeople? And why should Charles be allowed in their home?
Her relationship to Constance is also very strange. Constance is both her sister and a motherly figure but her decision making is dictated by Mary. Whether out of her own fear of the public, a sense of obligation to Mary or something else entirely; she does not seem able to defy Mary in any meaningful way.
Her relationship to Constance is also very strange. Constance is both her sister and a motherly figure but her decision making is dictated by Mary. Whether out of her own fear of the public, a sense of obligation to Mary or something else entirely; she does not seem able to defy Mary in any meaningful way.
Rising Storm by Erin Hunter
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
One of the more depressing installments of this series, truly. Not only is fireheart dealing with the loas of his best friend but he soon comes to take on the responsibility for the entire clan as the once so strong Bluestar loses all hope after Tigerclaw's betrayal. It starts really slow and bleak, and ends really fast and bleak with a killer cliffhanger. I did not like fireheart as much in this novel but that's because of the recent tragedies and pressure he is under.
Forest of Secrets by Erin Hunter
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Many years after first reading it, the ending of the book still gives me chills! The book starts of slow but it builds up to a point where the events we've been building up to suddenly accelerate and everything comes to a crescendo. In terms of its pay-off, this is one of the better books in series 1.