dracos_library's Reviews (167)

Babel: An Arcane History

R.F. Kuang

3.75

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was unlike anything I usually read.
At the end of it I was shaking crying which rarely happens for me while reading books.
I can’t write much because I am still wrapping my head around what happened.. The pure knowledge that went into the translations, the literature and the different cultures and chinese idioms is insane to me.
I really liked the character dynamics and development and was very shocked with the plot twists, since I was not expecting the first one at all and only kinda expected the second one.

The ending had me sobbing which is why I know I enjoyed it even tho it was different and a very heavy read compared to my usual books.

Heartstopper Volume 5

Alice Oseman

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Wholesome queer book Volume 5? Sign.me.up.!
I’m always so happy seeing a healthy queer book. I just wish something like this would’ve existed when I was young. Thanks Alice Oseman for creating these wonderful characters!🫶🏼

I Kissed Shara Wheeler

Casey McQuiston

4.25

funny mysterious reflective 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

Oh what a cute book with such a deep amazing storyline!✨
Let me start by saying that Smith Parker is my new favorite character of all time!

„Okay, but I feel like that too, and I’m not nonbinary.”
There’s the slightest change in Ash’s face. “What do you mean?”
“Like … I like my body, because it’s fast and strong and good at football. But it also has to be a dude’s body, because I play football. So like, maybe sometimes I wish it was smaller or softer or … different … but I don’t really have a choice. And I can wear stuff like my letterman jacket and feel better because I could be shaped like anything under that, and I can imagine that maybe I’m not shaped like a dude sometimes. But that’s not the same thing as what you’re talking about, right?”
“Are there … times you don’t want to be a dude?”
Smith’s eyes are closed so Ash can keep working, but his eyebrows furrow above them. “Does it matter? I’d have to be a guy no matter what.”
“You know … if being a guy feels like something you have to do, like it’s an obligation or something…” Ash says carefully. “Maybe think about that.“

I rarely like a side character better than a MC, but Smith’s character development from football jock to

wholesome non-binary bisexual in love with his gay best friend hit differently!

“I kissed Shara Wheeler” is a coming-of-age story of queer characters in a very christian, biblical school/community and the friendships that develop during those critical points in high school. I know why I like Casey McQuiston’s books as much as I like them: It’s because every character always feels whole. They all have their own motivations, flaws and biases. Watching the main trio Chloe, Rory& Smith become friends on the search for Shara was really fun. What was even better though, was the fact that not only the MC was discovering their love interest/queer identity, but also everyone around her. Much like the way it is in real life around that time.

I also liked the fun banter with her best friends Georgia & Benjy!

„We got sidetracked doing a mozzarella stick tasting.”
“A what?”
“Benjy drove us around and we picked up mozzarella sticks from every place in town. Then we ranked them on a scale of one to ten for flavor, presentation, structural integrity, and dipping sauce.”
“Oh my God. I’m so mad I missed that. Did you average the results at the end? Who won?”
“Chloe, we’re gay. We can’t do math.”
“Okay, well, next time I’ll come and make a spreadsheet.”
“This is why we need you,” Georgia says. “Once in a generation, there is born a bisexual who can do math. You’re the chosen one.“

I’d say it’s just overall a very wholesome queer book! 🏳️‍🌈🥰