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endemictoearth's reviews
4016 reviews
The Waiter at Table 6 by Nikki Castle
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A Lovestruck Cat Wants to Be Petted by Nira Kaneyuki
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sick by 倉橋 トモ, Tomo Kurahashi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
There is a real "what the fuck?" moment with dialogue halfway through, but I can't tell if it is a knowing nod to the (seemingly) requisite dubcon in bl manga, or just an unfortunate phrasing. That point aside, it actually turns into a really sweet story by the end, so it's a shame in a way.
The Little Bird Sleeps by the Sea by Yuu Minaduki
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I Don't Need a Script for Love by Umire Konatsu
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Ukraine: Remember also me: Testimonies from the War by George Butler
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.5
Driftwood by Harper Fox
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5 stars
uhhhhhhhmmmm
hwhut is hyappening
The first 2/3 of this book was decently good, if a bit melodramatic. I'm used to a certain amount of that from this author, so it wasn't bothering me and was cruising to a 3.5 or 4 star rating. But then, literally everything happens. Things that could not happen happen. Even an ex-army doctor who has amazing reflexes could not have lasted the ABSOLUTE GAUNTLET OF HORRIBLE THINGS-NESS he was subjected to.
Let's, uh, sketch out a brief list, shall we? (We need to remember that Tom's (doctor) love interest Flynn, is trying to <spoilers> extricate himself from an abusive relationship with his former rescue helicopter co-pilot, who turns out is running drugs and guns on the side and Tom has worked that out.)
Tom gets intentionally driven off the road by someone who knows he knows. He's driving a Range Rover, without seatbelts OR airbags, and was going about 50 mph. He's somehow found alive by Flynn (which, spoiler, they did not have enough time to fall in love, I don't know when or how they did it, we were not shown the falling, just the smashing, both of a sexual nature and of a car crash nature).
Flynn pulls him free of the crash after some difficulty, because the car's about to blow! It does, indeed, blow up and Flynn tackles him to take the brunt of the explosion
Tom drifts in and out of consciousness in the INTENSIVE CARE UNIT where he is IN A COMA for FIVE WHOLE DAYS. Flynn stays by his side the whole time, until he gets called away on the sixth morning to do a helicopter rescue with the evil sort-of ex.
Tom wakes up that afternoon, because he senses the storm? Or something? Has a quick chat with his doctor and then decides to covert ops his way out of the hospital with a broken collarbone, cracked ribs, extensive bandages to cover his lacerated legs and feet (forgot to say he smashed three vodka bottles in his kitchen while trying to fight the demon drink the night before his car accident), and who knows what else. He casually slips out of the hospital bc he has an overnight bag in the staff room or something. Sure.
Catches a taxi, goes to a bar for intel on what's happening with the rescue helicopters. Gets a bad feeling, leaves to . . . walk to the harbor, I guess? Almost gets run over by another car, but turns out that car is his friend Vic's and he just HAPPENS TO HAVE A FULLY FUNCTIONAL BRAND NEW LIFEBOAT HE JUST FINISHED.
They head out in the storm, immediately find the crew of Flynn's helicopter that went down. Flynn's not there! He and evil sort-of-ex were fighting when they were forced to bail out and jump in the sea with the life raft. Vic and Tom (who is still grievously injured, btw) swap boats with the lads and head out with the raft (has an outboard motor) to keep looking for Flynn.
Of course they find him like two minutes later
Of course he's still alive, even though he probably should have succumbed to hypothermia
They keep looking for evil sort-of-ex, but not that hard.
Storm stops, sun comes out, boat on horizon
Oh no
Bad boat with bad guys
Evil ex
blah blah blah
They get the jump on them, Vic takes out the driver, eventually tosses a gun to Flynn, Flynn shoots evil definitely ex bc he was gonna shoot the love of his life Tom and . . . scene.
EXCEPT NOT
Bc then they go back to Tom's crumbling tower by the sea (INSTEAD OF THE GODDAMN HOSPITAL YOU ABSOLUTE CHUNDERING DIPSHITS) and have two kinds of sex! With Tom in this deplorable state and Flynn probably still hypothermic and with half the sea still in his lungs.
AND THEN!!!!!!!!!
Soon after HIS FUCKING CRUMBLING TOWER ACTUALLY DOES CRUMBLE INTO THE SEA and they barely make it out in time with the dog but of course they do because of course.
What the fuck.</spoilers>
I would rate it lower, but I did actually have fun screaming about how my disbelief could not withstand this amount of suspension.
uhhhhhhhmmmm
hwhut is hyappening
The first 2/3 of this book was decently good, if a bit melodramatic. I'm used to a certain amount of that from this author, so it wasn't bothering me and was cruising to a 3.5 or 4 star rating. But then, literally everything happens. Things that could not happen happen. Even an ex-army doctor who has amazing reflexes could not have lasted the ABSOLUTE GAUNTLET OF HORRIBLE THINGS-NESS he was subjected to.
Let's, uh, sketch out a brief list, shall we? (We need to remember that Tom's (doctor) love interest Flynn, is trying to <spoilers> extricate himself from an abusive relationship with his former rescue helicopter co-pilot, who turns out is running drugs and guns on the side and Tom has worked that out.)
Tom gets intentionally driven off the road by someone who knows he knows. He's driving a Range Rover, without seatbelts OR airbags, and was going about 50 mph. He's somehow found alive by Flynn (which, spoiler, they did not have enough time to fall in love, I don't know when or how they did it, we were not shown the falling, just the smashing, both of a sexual nature and of a car crash nature).
Flynn pulls him free of the crash after some difficulty, because the car's about to blow! It does, indeed, blow up and Flynn tackles him to take the brunt of the explosion
Tom drifts in and out of consciousness in the INTENSIVE CARE UNIT where he is IN A COMA for FIVE WHOLE DAYS. Flynn stays by his side the whole time, until he gets called away on the sixth morning to do a helicopter rescue with the evil sort-of ex.
Tom wakes up that afternoon, because he senses the storm? Or something? Has a quick chat with his doctor and then decides to covert ops his way out of the hospital with a broken collarbone, cracked ribs, extensive bandages to cover his lacerated legs and feet (forgot to say he smashed three vodka bottles in his kitchen while trying to fight the demon drink the night before his car accident), and who knows what else. He casually slips out of the hospital bc he has an overnight bag in the staff room or something. Sure.
Catches a taxi, goes to a bar for intel on what's happening with the rescue helicopters. Gets a bad feeling, leaves to . . . walk to the harbor, I guess? Almost gets run over by another car, but turns out that car is his friend Vic's and he just HAPPENS TO HAVE A FULLY FUNCTIONAL BRAND NEW LIFEBOAT HE JUST FINISHED.
They head out in the storm, immediately find the crew of Flynn's helicopter that went down. Flynn's not there! He and evil sort-of-ex were fighting when they were forced to bail out and jump in the sea with the life raft. Vic and Tom (who is still grievously injured, btw) swap boats with the lads and head out with the raft (has an outboard motor) to keep looking for Flynn.
Of course they find him like two minutes later
Of course he's still alive, even though he probably should have succumbed to hypothermia
They keep looking for evil sort-of-ex, but not that hard.
Storm stops, sun comes out, boat on horizon
Oh no
Bad boat with bad guys
Evil ex
blah blah blah
They get the jump on them, Vic takes out the driver, eventually tosses a gun to Flynn, Flynn shoots evil definitely ex bc he was gonna shoot the love of his life Tom and . . . scene.
EXCEPT NOT
Bc then they go back to Tom's crumbling tower by the sea (INSTEAD OF THE GODDAMN HOSPITAL YOU ABSOLUTE CHUNDERING DIPSHITS) and have two kinds of sex! With Tom in this deplorable state and Flynn probably still hypothermic and with half the sea still in his lungs.
AND THEN!!!!!!!!!
Soon after HIS FUCKING CRUMBLING TOWER ACTUALLY DOES CRUMBLE INTO THE SEA and they barely make it out in time with the dog but of course they do because of course.
What the fuck.</spoilers>
I would rate it lower, but I did actually have fun screaming about how my disbelief could not withstand this amount of suspension.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, Medical content
The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Self harm, Terminal illness
Legal Bindings by Ella Fenn
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Reckless Hearts by Jax Calder
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
It wasn't exactly what I was expecting (even though I didn't think I was expecting anything in particular -- hmm.) Mainly, I was surprised at how long we spent with these characters in their university years. It's just over a third of the book, and I spent the whole time on tenterhooks, waiting for what we know must come, but we don't know exactly when or exactly how.
Calder takes big swings with her books, and more often than not, they pay off. (At least, for me they do.) This is a book about fame and its costs, but is also about New Zealand's ecology and saving endangered birds . . . go figure?
I don't want to say too much, not that there's much that can be truly spoiled. While we don't get a shock twist like in the previous book, we do get to map both Marcus's and Seb's emotional journeys. Much like with the travel in the book, they have both logged frequent flyer miles and run the gamut tempermentally. And however anxious they may make us, we can expect a safe landing (though there might be some worrying turbulence along the way.)
Many thanks to GRR for providing a copy for review.
Calder takes big swings with her books, and more often than not, they pay off. (At least, for me they do.) This is a book about fame and its costs, but is also about New Zealand's ecology and saving endangered birds . . . go figure?
I don't want to say too much, not that there's much that can be truly spoiled. While we don't get a shock twist like in the previous book, we do get to map both Marcus's and Seb's emotional journeys. Much like with the travel in the book, they have both logged frequent flyer miles and run the gamut tempermentally. And however anxious they may make us, we can expect a safe landing (though there might be some worrying turbulence along the way.)
Many thanks to GRR for providing a copy for review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Abandonment