darryn_gray's reviews
140 reviews

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

I absolutely loved this book almost more than The Hate U Give. It might help that I already knew the characters going into it. But I loved seeing Maverick in such a different light than before. The energy in this book from the characters was amazing.
It showed a different side of the Garden Heights than we saw in The Hate U Give, and I really enjoyed seeing it work on a day to day life while Mav went around being 2 for 2 on making babies.

I am still in love with Angie Thomas as an author. Her books always take me a minute to get into, but by  the end I am always hooked and wanting more.

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They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

To put it simply, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time, possibly ever. I was off-put by the title, knowing it was just gonna make me sad like that made me not want to get attached to the characters at all. Despite this, I found myself falling in love with Mateo and Rufus, as well as their friends families throughout the book. 
I just finished reading it about 10 minutes ago and I am still speechless.

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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

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emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

This book is heavy, some of the early scenes are intense, yet captivating. The story took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, but I was buckled in for it. As usual, I fell in love with the characters, and they truly taught me a lot. This was the first book I've read by Angie Thomas, and I've already got the prequel, Concrete Rose, on my list of books to read next! She is a wonderful author, can't wait to read the rest of her repertoire.
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.75

While this book isn't my favorite in the Simonverse, it doesn't mean I don't love it; this book is great. The characters are memorable, and the main family's dynamic is something you rarely see in books and I loved to see it. Though the plot is a little basic, with a lovesick character who's never been in a relationship, the way it's done in this book is a fun take on it.

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Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

The book is just really sweet and simple, it's inspirational and nice to go back to when things get hard.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

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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? It's complicated

5.0

Love, Creekwood by Becky Albertalli

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

4.25

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

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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

4.75

Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer

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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

4.5

Trepidation by Darryn Hawks

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

5.0


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