dmbooks's reviews
95 reviews

A House Between Earth and the Moon by Rebecca Scherm

mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual violence, and Stalking

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This may have been my favorite read this year. I am still thinking about this book regularly after finishing. 

I loved the characters, and the way the plot developed. Great imagery and creativity. I liked that the author didn’t shy away from the hard things the characters were navigating (neglect, and navigating a new physical embodiment, etc) and also at the same time gave the reader a sense of comfort that good things were happening for these folks after all they had been through. As someone with complex trauma it was nice to follow characters who were navigating these things and finding community and purpose. Following the characters ups and downs, both the big dramatic life-changing moments and the more mundane made it feel really real. I will be recommending this to everyone I know who may like it, I’m sure. 

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

And They Lived... by Steven Salvatore

hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Under Fortunate Stars by Ren Hutchings

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

This had a lot of what I enjoy in a sci fi. I will definitely keep checking to see if this author puts out any more works! 

The Sleepless by Victor Manibo

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

If you like a mystery within a sci fi premise, you’d like this! I enjoyed the main character enough, even though I don’t usually enjoy reading main characters who are suffering amnesia or memory loss. 

This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves

funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Funny, sweet, relatable, warmed my bisexual heart. 

The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta

hopeful relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

Cozy and good. 

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

adventurous emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75