darryn_gray's reviews
146 reviews

The Fae Keeper by H.E. Edgmon

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

Ahhh! I couldnt ask for a better sequel for The Witch King! This book had me completely gripped from beginning to end! Absoutely loved it

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

adventurous emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

It's not very often that I find books that resonate so much with me. I find books that I enjoy a hell of a lot, sure. But that literally leave a lasting impact on my life? Its rare- but this book. This book had things in it that I adored. This book had things in it that I so heavily related to, it felt like I was Wyatt. It had things in it that inspired changes for how I write in my own books.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

adventurous hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

I wish I read this book in elementary school or middle school! This would have easily been a life long love for me! But even reading it for the first time at 20 years old, I fell in love with it! I can't way to get the rest of the series and read through them!

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

The mystery of this book kept me reading and wanting to just know more! It wasn't the tensest mystery book out there, but it still kept me wanting to read more and more, to the point I read the 2nd half of the book in one sitting! Certainly worth the read!

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

4.5

So i've already read this book before, but after reading the entire story and then re-reading this, I love this book even more! It's absolutely wonderful! 

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

I just absolutely loved this book! It was amazing to see a non-binary main character and to see it completely normalized! Ben's entire story felt super realistic, they reminded me deeply of one of my friends! Highly recommend

The Temperature of Me and You by Brian Zepka

medium-paced

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

2.75

Honestly-- I struggled with a lot of this book. All of Dylan's decisions were kinda stupid and made no sense. I really struggled with the way the author wrote teens, there were some references that were really dated, such as a character saying "whats the 411" despite that the book was published in 2022 and seems to take place between 2010 and now (given the references to Instagram and other social media-related things. The main plot was alright, it at least kept me somewhat interested; however, there was just too much going on at once and really some of them never seemed to do anywhere. 

The Deep by Rivers Solomon

challenging emotional 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

4.0

Honestly, I didn't know what to think going into this story. I mostly just because interested because I'm a clipping fan. But i throughly enjoyed this book! It took the story of the clipping song and turned it into a different version of the same story. Not quite a retelling, but just another telling, a different perspective. But even then, it still stands in its own without the orignal song! The story was great. I love the characters.

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The more I get into this story the more I absolutely love it! It's just absolutely amazing!

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Read this over on Webtoons, currently caught up! And I love this series, its so sweet, well done, and just brings the joy that relationships can and should bring. It just keeps getting better and better the more I fall in love with Nick, Charlie, and all of their friends!