emilyceratops's reviews
201 reviews

And Shall Machines Surrender by Benjanun Sriduangkaew

adventurous medium-paced

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

1.0

Didn't really like this. Was confused about the plot towards the end. I liked it a lot at the start and gradually disliked it more and more. 

Loveless by Alice Oseman

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

If I had read this book when I was 15-20 years old, this would have been revolutionary to me! As a 28 year old, who is familiar with the aro Ace spectrum, I didn't get a whole lot from it. But that doesn't mean it's a bad book, just that this book wasn't aimed at me. 

Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin

adventurous dark tense fast-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? It's complicated

2.0

I didn't love this book personally but I can see that it might appeal to many others. Author definitely has a way with words; descriptions felt very real and visceral. And gross.

Characters were interesting though at times I had difficulty telling apart Beth and Fran.

Circe by Madeline Miller

reflective 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

2.0

It's a well written book but it just didn't click with me. Drags a bit. 

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

adventurous lighthearted 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? Yes

3.0

I really enjoyed this book! I love the world building in it, I love the characters and their back stories. The plot and characters felt smaller than the first book; the first book felt like it covered a lot of ground with many not characters, but it is still a very enjoyable read. 

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad 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? No

4.0

Quite enjoyed reading this, particularly enjoyed seeing characters interact with each other over time. Parts made me cry, and some parts kicked me in the chest. 

The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz

adventurous reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Very cute, left me wanting more!

Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So

informative lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Interesting to read about the Cambodian diaspora in America. I'm of Chinese descent and grew up in Australia, so parts were intimately relatable as an Asian kid growing up in a white country. 

I enjoy short stories as a way to get a little snapshot view into the characters' lives. I can't say I particularly liked or disliked any of the characters, but that doesn't change how I did enjoy reading all the stories.

Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

5.0

I loved this book SO much. For me, friendships have been the relationships that I've always wanted to prioritise and champion. My friends have meant so much to me, and have made me who I am and who I will be and who I have been. It's always lovely to read about how this type love can be important, when a lot of the narrative in society says that your romantic relationship is the most important. 

I don't want to have children, but I found the passages on pregnancy to be the most moving. 

Excellently written - I was already recommending the book to people before I'd finished. 

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.0

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Ending felt a bit cliche, characters felt a bit flat. At times it felt like it was being sad for sadness' sake, and grotesque for the sake of being grotesque.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Car accident, Death of parent, Chronic illness, and Bullying