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desdemonarose's reviews
238 reviews
The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
dark
emotional
informative
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
This is a dark book, it is about two gay men who are also slaves. The book doesn't soften the horrors of slavery at all. Along with those expected challenges, they are also gay in a society where not everyone among the slaves accepts them. So, they have that added challenge. Which, before I read this book I had not even thought of how much more difficult slavery must have been for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The writing is very well done, Jones captures the different cultures of his characters and their backgrounds well in it. It's not a easy read in terms of subject matter, but I think it's important to face those tough topics, unless it's especially triggering. I'm not a POC, but from my limited view, Jones does seem to tackled the topic really well and it gave me a lot to think about.
The writing is very well done, Jones captures the different cultures of his characters and their backgrounds well in it. It's not a easy read in terms of subject matter, but I think it's important to face those tough topics, unless it's especially triggering. I'm not a POC, but from my limited view, Jones does seem to tackled the topic really well and it gave me a lot to think about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, Slavery, and Death
Semiosis by Sue Burke
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I truly enjoyed this book. It surprised me to see that the average rating wasn't higher, but I can see why it wouldn't be a book for everyone.
If you want creative world-building, a unique dynamic where plants are sentient, and a diverse cast of personalities, then this is a good book. The book moves through a few generations of humans as they try to figure out how to survive on an alien planet.
I found it fascinating to see how Burke planned their culture, morality, how they dealt with danger, and how they planned on doing better than those who live on the planet they (or the previous generations) fled.
If you like audiobooks then I definitely recommend listening to this one. The narrators are fantastic. There is a chapter near the end that (spoiler): I particularly enjoyed since one of the MCs decides to learn the language of an alien species that also shows up on the planet. They don't use words, they use sounds. The narrator really put effort into playing the character making the different alien sounds and I loved it.
If you want creative world-building, a unique dynamic where plants are sentient, and a diverse cast of personalities, then this is a good book. The book moves through a few generations of humans as they try to figure out how to survive on an alien planet.
I found it fascinating to see how Burke planned their culture, morality, how they dealt with danger, and how they planned on doing better than those who live on the planet they (or the previous generations) fled.
If you like audiobooks then I definitely recommend listening to this one. The narrators are fantastic. There is a chapter near the end that (spoiler):
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual assault, Child death, and Body horror
Burke was very good at describing a horrible thing, letting you feel how horrible, but not making it overtly graphic or sensationalist
The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have listened to the audiobook for this book twice now. I was looking up the author's name on my audiobook list of purchases and accidently told it to download, so I figured I might as well listen to it again. Especially since I keep recommending it.
It was just as good the second time and I will continue to recommend it. It is a dark book. A future world where water is very scarce and natural disasters are ravishing what few habitable areas there are. The story follows a few characters who start out with separate lives, but all intertwine in Phoneix, AZ... a city that's holding on even though the odds seemed to be stacked against it. What happens in a very tough world when water rights that could trump any current assumption of rights is discovered?
Bacigalupi writes a well thought out and believable world for his story. His characters are also down to earth and very believable. They are complicated, it's not just about rooting for a cookie cutter protagonist, which is always my favorite sort of character building in a book.
It was just as good the second time and I will continue to recommend it. It is a dark book. A future world where water is very scarce and natural disasters are ravishing what few habitable areas there are. The story follows a few characters who start out with separate lives, but all intertwine in Phoneix, AZ... a city that's holding on even though the odds seemed to be stacked against it. What happens in a very tough world when water rights that could trump any current assumption of rights is discovered?
Bacigalupi writes a well thought out and believable world for his story. His characters are also down to earth and very believable. They are complicated, it's not just about rooting for a cookie cutter protagonist, which is always my favorite sort of character building in a book.
The Passage by Justin Cronin
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
It is a good book, it covers a lot of ground, but in a way that keeps everything moving pretty well. The world building is interesting and I thought the author revealed everything at a good pace. The only reason it didn't get a full 5 stars from me is how the book played with the idea of religion in it's world, but didn't really define it well enough for me. Whenever I read books where characters treat anything metaphysical as real, I like to know if the author see's it as real in the world that they are creating, at least if it's relevant. There are a few parts in the book where it would have been relevant. Though, to anyone who doesn't get as hung up on that stuff as I do, it's probably fine.
Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri
adventurous
dark
tense
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
I don't remember exactly why I added this book to my list, but probably because the author has the same first name as me (with a slight spelling difference). It's not too often that you come cross Tasha's. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was sucked right into the book from the beginning. I did listen to the audiobook, so some credit goes to the narrator, who was fantastic. Of course, the author did an amazing job. Her world building skills are fantastic. Her characters are complicated and deep. She approaches complicated issues with characters who have depth, which I definitely appreciate. I have a hard time with black and white characters, even if they are in the, "right."
A colorful world with strife and the complications that come when people try to control the gods. I definitely recommend it.
A colorful world with strife and the complications that come when people try to control the gods. I definitely recommend it.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse
A Neon Darkness by Lauren Shippen
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you like the Bright Sessions then this book will definitely be right up your alley. The brilliant mind of Lauren Shippen returns to explore the complexity of human nature. Even without the podcast the book is still a fantastic read. It is a story within itself that doesn't rely on the podcast to fill in blanks.
When I Was White: A Memoir by Sarah Valentine
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw the 3.5 rating that this book had at the time of my reading. It was really good though. I am surprised that it didn't rate higher. Is it a challenging book at times to read, sure. It's a book about racism and how people who were raised in white American society can cause pain. The book is honest. The author is honest with how she was effected, she is honest in where she has also had racism taught to her. She was raised as if she was white, though much of the rest of the world didn't treat her as white. She learns her truth and has to struggle with it and learn where she is in the world. She doesn't let the white people in her life define her, as much as they seem to want to, she defines herself. It's not an easy road for her, but she travels it just the same.
I really like memoires, so maybe that is part of the reason why I like this book more than the average reviewer. I have read some where people don't really trust that the author is honest. I definitely feel like the author is very honest here and I appreciate that a lot. She is also a talented writer.
I really like memoires, so maybe that is part of the reason why I like this book more than the average reviewer. I have read some where people don't really trust that the author is honest. I definitely feel like the author is very honest here and I appreciate that a lot. She is also a talented writer.
The Blessing of Brokenness by Karin Slaughter
dark
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? Yes
3.75
A short story about a woman who's directing the correction of the listing cross in the church she works for/attends. The story is more or less a religious, "Karen." As the story progresses you learn more about her and her current situation. It's a quick read if you want something short and don't care about liking the characters.