darryn_gray's reviews
136 reviews

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

Winter Turning by Tui T. Sutherland

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

Now that I'm even further into this series and we're meeting more character who actually did grow up in their tribes, I like seeing them try and get out of their old habits and learn how messed up some of their traditions truly are.

In this one you can actually feel a change in Winter as he goes from the icewing who only cares about his ranking, to a true dragon who is conflicted on keeping with his family or going back to his friends

Moon Rising 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

4.0

Pretty decent start for the next part of this series! Excited to see where it's going next

The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman

lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Perfect for any heartstopper fans!