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debthebookworm's reviews
294 reviews
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 4 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
There was a scene I knew was coming up, and it's in this book! And after all the heartbreaking moments in this particular book, that scene made it all worthwhile!
But anyway, this is my favorite series, and the books continue to be amazing. Seeing just how ruthless Wei Wuxian can be but then also how soft he is, he's such a great character to follow. I hate how he's treated and want to protect him just like Lan Wangji wants to.
But anyway, this is my favorite series, and the books continue to be amazing. Seeing just how ruthless Wei Wuxian can be but then also how soft he is, he's such a great character to follow. I hate how he's treated and want to protect him just like Lan Wangji wants to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Rape, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Incest, and Suicidal thoughts
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This is my first experience with indigenous dark fiction and horror, and I must say these authors are GIANTS. Great stories, wonderful writing, from the darkest to the scariest, and yes, there is a difference. I marked this as reflective, because it really does make you think of the horrors inflicted on the indigenous of this hemisphere and how evil colonizers truly are. I hope to read something from each author in the near future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Genocide, Gore, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 3 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I don't really need to keep gushing over this series... but I'm going to keep gushing over this series! As I expected from the end of Book 2, we made it to one of my favorite scenes in Book 3, and it came with an illustration!
The Untamed pulled from this book almost scene for scene with a few moments left out that pleasantly surprised me. I'm actually shocked that the show added more to the Lotus Pier battle, because that scene on screen made me cry. I'm actually glad they added it, though.
And oddly enough, it took me this book to understand why Wangji said he wanted to bring a man back to Cloud Recesses and hide him there. Somehow, I missed the context in the story about his parents. I'll have to rewatch the show to see if Lan Xichen went as in-depth with telling Wei Wuxian about it. Woe is me.
Again, brilliantly translated, wonderful storytelling, and by the way it ended, I know heartbreak is coming for me in Book 4. I can't wait!
The Untamed pulled from this book almost scene for scene with a few moments left out that pleasantly surprised me. I'm actually shocked that the show added more to the Lotus Pier battle, because that scene on screen made me cry. I'm actually glad they added it, though.
And oddly enough, it took me this book to understand why Wangji said he wanted to bring a man back to Cloud Recesses and hide him there. Somehow, I missed the context in the story about his parents. I'll have to rewatch the show to see if Lan Xichen went as in-depth with telling Wei Wuxian about it. Woe is me.
Again, brilliantly translated, wonderful storytelling, and by the way it ended, I know heartbreak is coming for me in Book 4. I can't wait!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Bullying
Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I've never been more disappointed in a sequel/conclusion before. I had worried about what the beginning of this book would entail with the ending of Virtue and Vengeance, and because I was right, Anguish and Anarchy opened with pages upon pages of Black trauma inflicted by white men. Blood and Bone was a beautiful story filled with Nigerian-borne fantasy, rich with Black characters living in conflicts of their own making. To turn around and bring our real-life history into this series ruins the fantasy. Even with the differences, the motivation was still the death and destruction of Black people for the sake of white people to gain power. The fantasy was gone.
Putting that aside, the book just felt like a means to an end and not a solid conclusion. Everything was rushed to the point that when all of these climactic moments happened, I felt absolutely nothing.And I blinked and suddenly Amari was in love with Mae'e. It made no sense. The final battle couldn't have been more anti-climactic. Even structurally, the sentences, paragraphs, and chapters were all short. What was the rush?
More technical issues:we're introduced to what felt like-based on their description-an indigenous South American people, and though Tomi Adeyemi studied in Brazil, she didn't take the time to consult with an indigenous South American on languages? When the Gaians start speaking Portuguese, I felt cheated. You would think these people whose first defense is offense against foreigners would hold onto their language, no?
Many descriptions felt implausible based on the first-person narrative being written. In one instance, the main characters are supposedly far enough away from the Skulls' shores that they can't be seen, but we're given every detail of what the Skulls are doing on the shore. In a similar instance, when the Skulls are on the horizon at night, their ships are described as silhouettes, but then the lines of Skulls, what weapons they're holding, and what the ships are made out of are described. Both things can't be true. It's like she couldn't decide between giving us first or third person or was going for a 360, cinematic visual that doesn't work in first person.There was also a point where Zelie was able to hide a bone blade in her hair, pull it out while tied to a stake, and stab herself with it? How would no one have noticed her doing any of this in the middle of her being sacrificed? It was too easy and a cop out way to inevitably kill of Inan, which was very disappointing after all they had been through. Maybe if the story weren't so rushed and time was put into understanding all these visions and prophecies that were happening, it would have meant more.
Also, I understand we're dealing with magic users here, but the amount of magic used in such short periods of time (because of the writing) was overwhelming. It was hard to focus on exactly what was happening, but by the time I could visualize it, the chapter would be over anyway.
AND, the amount of times the words "hierophant," "diamond gaze," and onomatopoeia instead of taking time to add more description (like "Boom" and "Ha") were used constantly pulled me out of a story I was already disengaged from. And, because hierophant is such a distinct word with a specifically Greek origin, it felt weird every time it came up.
I forgot to mention, Zelie is stripped of her necromancy and given lightning powers!? WHY? How does it even make sense? With the discourse about the Black characters being given lightning powers, you would think Tomi might've steered away from this cliche. Why wouldn’t she use Zelie's power over death and Mae'e's power of life (the vines the Gaians use)?
Overall, this did not feel like the same series. From the writing to the plot itself, I'm in shock at how underwhelming it was.
Putting that aside, the book just felt like a means to an end and not a solid conclusion. Everything was rushed to the point that when all of these climactic moments happened, I felt absolutely nothing.
More technical issues:
Many descriptions felt implausible based on the first-person narrative being written. In one instance, the main characters are supposedly far enough away from the Skulls' shores that they can't be seen, but we're given every detail of what the Skulls are doing on the shore. In a similar instance, when the Skulls are on the horizon at night, their ships are described as silhouettes, but then the lines of Skulls, what weapons they're holding, and what the ships are made out of are described. Both things can't be true. It's like she couldn't decide between giving us first or third person or was going for a 360, cinematic visual that doesn't work in first person.
Also, I understand we're dealing with magic users here, but the amount of magic used in such short periods of time (because of the writing) was overwhelming. It was hard to focus on exactly what was happening, but by the time I could visualize it, the chapter would be over anyway.
AND, the amount of times the words "hierophant," "diamond gaze," and onomatopoeia instead of taking time to add more description (like "Boom" and "Ha") were used constantly pulled me out of a story I was already disengaged from. And, because hierophant is such a distinct word with a specifically Greek origin, it felt weird every time it came up.
Overall, this did not feel like the same series. From the writing to the plot itself, I'm in shock at how underwhelming it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
We never learn what happened to Roën. He's a footnote, and then nothing else.
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I picked this up on a whim at a cruise ship library. Jane Austen was such a brilliant writer. I'm curious as to whether or not she knew one or two real Lady Susans, given how authentically hateful and manipulative the character is, and seeing the events unfold from so many different perspectives added depth to everyone involved. It's very clear by the end that Lady Susan is not only jealous of Frederica, but she resents having been married to her father in the first place. The conclusion is both satisfying and frustrating, but that makes for a well-rounded, believable story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Comic Complications by Krystyna Allyn
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm still in love with this series. There was no doubt that I would be, but I'm enjoying getting more into the mystery and watching it unfold. I especially love the story with the juniors, A-Qing, and Xiao Xingchen, heartbreaking though it may be. Someone once said that storyline is Shakespearean, and it is!
I can't get enough of WangXian, and seeing just how much more dense Wei Wuxian is to Lan Wangji's affections in the book than he was in the TV show, it's hilarious. I was talking to the book!
I can foresee by the cliffhanger and where this book stops that we're going to start book 3 with one of my favorite moments from the boys' teen years (I'm almost sure), and I'm ready! What a masterpiece!
I can't get enough of WangXian, and seeing just how much more dense Wei Wuxian is to Lan Wangji's affections in the book than he was in the TV show, it's hilarious. I was talking to the book!
I can foresee by the cliffhanger and where this book stops that we're going to start book 3 with one of my favorite moments from the boys' teen years (I'm almost sure), and I'm ready! What a masterpiece!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gore, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Homophobia, Incest, and Abandonment
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Like many Black millennials, I grew up watching The Color Purple repeatedly in VHS. I loved it so much I wanted to be Shug if they ever made a musical...THEN, the musical happened! The film adaptation of the musical came out, and they said it was closer to the book than the original movie...While it is closer in parts, between the three, having finally taken the time to read the book, I prefer the book! There is so much left out of both movies, e.g., Celie's complicated relationship with Mr.____ and seeing Nettie grow up in Africa in more than little snippets, that I would have appreciated being explored more deeply in the films. I also love Alice Walker's explanation of the evolution of Celie's views on God and the origins of religion. The Olinkan theory was very interesting,and I wonder if Alice Walker made it up or heard it from someone.
Anyway, amazing book, and I'm glad to have read it!
Anyway, amazing book, and I'm glad to have read it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Family separation, settler colonization
Vestige by Deb Hanrahan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.
I got through 54% of this, and I can't take it anymore.
First, this is a Biblical-style tribulation story. That's not a problem in and of itself. It's the way it's gone about. From the "golden" child being the blond, blue-eyed teenager who was in a group of misfits bullying a homeless man to dogs going to heaven but not cats, the subtext of the writer sends a message.
Second, the characters are just dumb. You're a priest who doesn't believe what you're preaching. Believable. A priest who doesn't know the Bible enough to understand why at least half of the population disappeared overnight and doesn't believe he's actually seeing the devil after he wakes up BURNING? Implausible. That's actually where I gave up. But also, you're the child of a survivalist mother who texted you, "It's happening" before SHE disappeared, and nothing in you says, "Maybe I should go look at Mom's notes to see which apocalypse we're in?" Ridiculous.
Also, the speed at which the rationing of food and mark of the beast tags happens seemed rushed. It was only 2 or 3 days.
Speaking of rushed, the forced romance between Micah and Clarke was painful and full of clichéd moments. Micah saw Clarke's ANKLE and thought, "This girl needs protecting." Then, he keeps trying to hug and touch her after she's said no, but kisses her to stop her from crying. It reeks of chivalrous over-stepping that typically a guy will write, but it's coming from a woman, so it's even worse.
I've spent far too long trying to give this book a chance, and I cannot any longer.
First, this is a Biblical-style tribulation story. That's not a problem in and of itself. It's the way it's gone about. From the "golden" child being the blond, blue-eyed teenager who was in a group of misfits bullying a homeless man to dogs going to heaven but not cats, the subtext of the writer sends a message.
Second, the characters are just dumb. You're a priest who doesn't believe what you're preaching. Believable. A priest who doesn't know the Bible enough to understand why at least half of the population disappeared overnight and doesn't believe he's actually seeing the devil after he wakes up BURNING? Implausible. That's actually where I gave up. But also, you're the child of a survivalist mother who texted you, "It's happening" before SHE disappeared, and nothing in you says, "Maybe I should go look at Mom's notes to see which apocalypse we're in?" Ridiculous.
Also, the speed at which the rationing of food and mark of the beast tags happens seemed rushed. It was only 2 or 3 days.
Speaking of rushed, the forced romance between Micah and Clarke was painful and full of clichéd moments. Micah saw Clarke's ANKLE and thought, "This girl needs protecting." Then, he keeps trying to hug and touch her after she's said no, but kisses her to stop her from crying. It reeks of chivalrous over-stepping that typically a guy will write, but it's coming from a woman, so it's even worse.
I've spent far too long trying to give this book a chance, and I cannot any longer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Abandonment
Story of an Optimistic Broken Heart by Nicole Huggins
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
I gave this an extra star for being short and almost took one away for the letter before last, but in fairness I think I hated this so much because Zoe is stupid for 85% of the book. She gave Sean every possible pass she could, and it was evident he didn't deserve her from the first page. Had it ended the other way, I absolutely would have taken a star back. Reading about weak and stupid women is not enjoyable.
I also didn't like the random guy at the end who refused to go away and was written to be someone Zoe needed when she could have gotten that from her friends. It was pointless. I'm guessing he'll be back, but I'm not going to read further to find out.
I also didn't like the random guy at the end who refused to go away and was written to be someone Zoe needed when she could have gotten that from her friends. It was pointless. I'm guessing he'll be back, but I'm not going to read further to find out.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content