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ekgranstro's reviews
11 reviews
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was giggling and kicking my feet, then gasping while my heart dropped. I thoroughly reccomend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
4.5
For a Gen Z who avoids pop culture, Joan’s references and discussions of popular ideologies, people, shops, etc. were hard to understand. I feel I may have missed some deeper, pivotal meanings because of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Child abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship and Sexual violence
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Definitely a fun and engaging read, but prepare for a deluge of cringe moments. Also smut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Chronic illness and Grief
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s been a long time since I got so sucked into a book that I felt I could not stop reading it. However, despite that, I was cringing almost every other page at cliche and unrealistic lines. The characters lack emotional intelligence and the overall writing was subpar. The worldbuilding swings back and forth between inspired and shallow. Elements of the book are clearly good because I genuinely was very invested and enjoyed it, but objectively the book was leaning toward terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Violence
A Map of Tulsa by Benjamin Lytal
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Car accident, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Rape
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Sexism
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The only reason I didn’t give this book a higher rating was because some parts were definitely slow. But it’s also FULL of twists, and the characters are fascinating. I heavily recommend it!
Gleanings by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Sun and the Star by Mark Oshiro, Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
It yassified Will and Nico— gave cutesy gay fanfic couple (negative). I missed their old dynamic.