emgulph's reviews
264 reviews

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.5

Incredibly cliched and dull, there was almost no prose or buildup to the plot-points, and all minorities get shafted before they're even introduced.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I'm crazy pissed off now

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Sexual content

Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest, Racism, Racial slurs, and Suicide

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Don't get me wrong, I loved this book. It was a stunning visual into the intricacies of the Vietnam war, with a refreshing focus on the crimes of all the powers involved, not taking sides. The refuges and victims of the Vietnam War are allowed to be both angry with their so-called American saviors and with their home country in disrepair.

That being said, much of the content in this work is shocking and not for the faint of heart. It's a book about war. Fresh out of finishing this, I'm sure there are content warnings I forgot to list below. There were many moments where I needed to pause and catch my breath.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Xenophobia

Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

I've beaten Hades and made them happy again, this can't phase me

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Homophobia

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1 by Gege Akutami

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Let the pain begin

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Body horror

Moderate: Animal death and Death

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 30 by Karuho Shiina

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Oh I'm insane now

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 29 by Karuho Shiina

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The teacher is a king

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 28 by Karuho Shiina

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 27 by Karuho Shiina

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75