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dark_marble_eyes's reviews
92 reviews
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Death, Child death, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Death of parent, Slavery, Gun violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Animal death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Gore
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
AHHHHHH sorry to be this person but AHHHHHH I love this series. I watched the show first, and this only covers half of the first season, but I adore these characters. I love the art style and characterization [visually] of the characters. One of the many comics to start to nudge my inspiration to write some comics myself.
Definite recommend for a predominantly lighthearted soft romance. **DO** mind the tags for this one as well as there are brief but still possibly triggering moments in the story line.
Definite recommend for a predominantly lighthearted soft romance. **DO** mind the tags for this one as well as there are brief but still possibly triggering moments in the story line.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
Minor: Outing
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was darker than I remembered, right from the jump. This was my third time reading it, as it was on my mind recently, and I wanted to see how I interpreted it and felt about it as an adult. The first two times I was a child, and the second time, a teen. It was as vivid as I remembered, and the information on the dyeing process itself was as magical. I think I would need to finally finish the series [The Giver, Gathering Blue, The Messenger, and Son] to decide how I feel about it completely, but it is a book I would recommend for a dark, fast read. Just mind the tags~
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
Minor: Sexism and Grief
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Sexing The Cherry by Jeanette Winterson
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I've seen this book as recommended reading for young adults/teens quite a lot, and I can see some merit in it. The main problem with this book is that it doesn't overtly take a stance, yet is promoted as a "conversation starter" on the subject/concept of abortion, the could-be alternatives, and the people on "either side" of the argument. It is purposefully written in such a way that somehow both anti-legal abortion and pro-legal abortion people regularly point to this book as a "see here! this is arguing my point!"
However, it comes across to me as a work written by someone who is either not invested in the issue or only invested in the way that it's a profitably inflammatory subject.
I cannot speak to the original intentions for the book and its sequels, but the opinion I personally have formed after reading the book, some interviews of the author, and the reactions of others, is that it lacks integrity of belief. I do believe that books written with intentional ambiguity can be helpful and valuable -just not this one.
However, it comes across to me as a work written by someone who is either not invested in the issue or only invested in the way that it's a profitably inflammatory subject.
I cannot speak to the original intentions for the book and its sequels, but the opinion I personally have formed after reading the book, some interviews of the author, and the reactions of others, is that it lacks integrity of belief. I do believe that books written with intentional ambiguity can be helpful and valuable -just not this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Suicide, Child death, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Ableism, Death, Abortion, Pregnancy, Police brutality, and Suicide
Minor: War
in relation to my tag on mass/school shootings- I do not remember there being specific mention of school shootings themselves, but there are people called "clappers" who are essentially suicide bombers in this universe who will go to schools or public areas and clap, activating [nitroglycerin?] in their bloodstream causing combustion and explosion.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This has been on my to-read list for ages, as I loved the 1993 movie as a child. The magic of a child exploring and discovering new things was certainly there, but I knocked it down a bit because it didn't quite grab me as I hoped it would. I was prepared for the ableism, as I knew it was a key point in the story, but it's still a negative. It also lost points with me because the racism in it tarnished the entire story. The characters' ignorant comments, while certainly "of their time," made them significantly less lovable, even at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
Love by Toni Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was definitely a hard read due to the subject matter. The way the layers were peeled back was definitely painful before it was enlightening, but, as another reviewer wrote, the final chapter lends some catharsis and satisfaction.
I’m glad I pushed through. Morrison is wildly talented in her storytelling. Though I gave it a 4, if it was based on the mastery of writing and storytelling alone, it would be a solid 5.
I’m glad I pushed through. Morrison is wildly talented in her storytelling. Though I gave it a 4, if it was based on the mastery of writing and storytelling alone, it would be a solid 5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Vomit, Mental illness, Racism, and Sexual violence
Minor: Excrement
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0