edenvanwyk's reviews
42 reviews

The Dragon's Tooth by N.D. Wilson

adventurous challenging funny hopeful mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

This is a childhood favorite reread. still as wonderful and mysterious as i remember it. i’m excited to read the rest of the series again. Cyrus and Antigone feel like friends to me. The world building is simple yet flawless. So like reality yet so distinctly different. fresh air compared to my reading recently. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

This book is literary fiction trying too hard to literary fiction. The whole thing is: trauma, sex, self loathing rinse and repeat. With a tasteless nonlinear timeline this book leaves you confused, frustrated, disappointed yet happy it’s over. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment

In: A Graphic Novel by Will McPhail

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

This is one of my new favorite books. Graphic novels have a power to reach a level that written word cannot. “In’s” use of color was so meaningful. Its ability to distinguish thought and speech was flawless. The turns and plot twists were so well done. 
no notes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Death of parent

Killing and Dying by Adrian Tomine

dark funny hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Many of the stories felt like real peoples stories i had heard before. I had some déjà vu while reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

challenging dark funny inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

This was on of the best books i’ve read in a while. If you love true crime, family drama, or just a good read pick up Apples Never Fall. The mystery had me hooked, Savannah had me furious and the end made me cry. Every moment and chapter has meaning. A breath of fresh air. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder

Minor: Bullying, Infertility, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan, Meg Wolitzer

funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

A very sweet and engaging book about friends becoming sisters. 

Assembly by Natasha Brown

challenging mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I want to love this book but i’m stuck liking it. It’s vague and mysterious at moments and other times vulgarly obvious with its meaning. A good quick read, perhaps i should read again. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

as someone who struggles with depression i found this book very inspiring and comforting. 

Looking for Alaska by John Green

4.5