darryn_gray's reviews
119 reviews

The Queering by Brooke Skipstone

1.0

This book was really hard to read. It's confusing trying to read something marked completely as fiction but the author and the main character have the same name. The character doesn't read as a 70 year old, despite how many times the book likes to remind us of that. I just simply couldn't get into it.
That being said I do like the concept, I just feel like it needed a little longer before it was ready. It's a lot of telling and no showing. It has potential, it's just not there yet

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

adventurous informative fast-paced

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

5.0

I'll be honest, I read this book because I grew up having fond memories of the Will Smith movie, and I expect this book to be that. I was expecing to be reading these badass fight sequences, anyhting about Spooner, or Sonny. But honestly, I like this version more. I'd honestly be heavily interested in listening to the rest of the series

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

I read this book for the first time at around 14 years old, and I had honestly forgotten how much I really love this book. And at 20, it's still something I like just as much, I couldn't even explain to you why, its such a simple book plot wise, yet- its really captivating. It keeps me interested the entire time the totally gay characters really helps but in just a simple way, it's easy to start feeling like you're part of the family, experiencing everything with Ponyboy. 

Black Ice by Bradford D. Smith II

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

3.0

This book had so much potential but needed to be more developed. It was good enoughthat I was interested until the very last page, but nothing felt like it was satisfied. Either needs to have a 2nd book immedietly follow it, or to be a longer one off book. I also wish the book on the inside had colors like the outside did, it would have been even better that way. The lack of colors around Oscar's eyes made it confusing at first about why everyone was talking about his eyes.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Alright. This story is fun. It's not a book I'd normally read, but seeing as Knives Out is one of my favorite movies, everyone was recommending this to me, so I figure'd I'd give it a chance, and I honestly really liked it. There's some parts that are a little confusing and don't quite get resolved but I know there's more to this series, so hopefully I can see some of that get resolved there!

Talons of Power by Tui T. Sutherland

adventurous 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

4.5

Wow- this one was just wow. I absolutely adored it! I could relate so well to Turtle in a way I never though I would in this series. This one also had some of the best twists and turns that the other ones haven't had so far! 

I'll Be Home For Christmas by Mason Deaver

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

It's a nice sweet little book. If you're a fan of the original, you'll like this. It delivers exactly what you'd expect from it, a sweet christmas book about Ben and Nathan and their first Christmas together.

Pride and Joy: A Story about Becoming an LGBTQIA+ Ally by Frank J. Sileo, Kate Lum-Potvin

emotional informative 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? No

4.75

Super cute book that helps not only teach kids but adults too on how to be a good ally. I really like the touch at the end of it about how adults can be better allies and how they can help their own kids become good allies. We need more books like these around, so I'm glad to see a picture book like this get published. Every parent, whether part of the LGBTQIA+ community or just allies should pick up a copy of this.

The Sandman Book Two by Neil Gaiman

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

While I did not like this book as much as the first one, I still found it incredible and I cant wait until its in the Netflix show! I really hope to see Wanda included in the show, for a trans character written in the 80s, there isn't much to complain about!

Escaping Peril by Tui T. Sutherland

adventurous challenging 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

4.25