gossamer_lens's reviews
1317 reviews

Y: The Last Man - The Deluxe Edition Book One by Brian K. Vaughan

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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? No

4.25

I like the premise and themes. As a book published in the early 2000's, there are some issues of the time with how LGBTQ+ people and women are handled, imo. If this was a written work I think they would be light enough to be forgotten after a first twinge of cringe. But instead, the format makes it a pervasive sort of issue. 

I think so far the story, character arcs and themes make it so I can push on and want to know what happens next. 
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Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can Change the World by Neil Gaiman

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informative lighthearted reflective

3.0

I think in general Gaiman should stick with fiction. The first two installments were very... "rich guy who has little real consequences for things has thoughts that he thinks are common sense". The last two installments were much more focused in on art and creation and his feelings on that, which made it worth the cringe of reading the first 2 installments. I don't know that I would recommend this book so much as say that Gaiman has some interesting thoughts that lead to some great fiction writing. Maybe his being out of touch in many ways assist with his fiction writing. Who knows. 
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad fast-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

5.0

Just... sooo soooo good. If you ever read the MurderBot Diaries and loved Miki... this book was hands down made for you. The vibes are immaculate, the writing is great, the plot is intriguing, the characters... I would die for the main character. I love it!
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The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

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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

5.0

I just... so good. I loved it. The ending wasn't how I would have wanted it ended... but reflecting on it, it was perfectly satisfying, well-written and enjoyable. It was very Neil Gaiman esq in the way the plot progressed and the whole vibe was a fun dark and mysterious thing. I went into it expecting more horror/thriller which it wasn't. But I kinda loved it for that. It feels like something that will sit in my brain for longer due to what it actually is. 
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Lost Boy, Lost Girl: Escaping Civil War in Sudan by John Bul Dau

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative sad fast-paced

5.0

This memoir gives two interesting perspectives into a civil war I knew nothing about. It was written in such a direct, powerful, and emotional way that I had a hard time putting it down at times. But then, it handled such intense topics I had to also take breaks at times... but my thoughts would linger on it. I have a hard time rating non-fiction. I couldn't rightly say I "enjoyed" this book. But I found it powerful, informative and very well-written. 
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The Chimes by Charles Dickens

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dark emotional hopeful 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

The first few pages reminded me... I well and truly love Dickens' style of writing. It is so full of descriptions, repeating for emphasis, wit and banter. I love it! This story didn't feel as classically crafted as his Christmas Carol. But the moral, characters and tale were charming, poignant and very relevant in modern times. If someone likes the Christmas Carol and hasn't ever gotten to this, I do think they would enjoy it a lot. 
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Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

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

3.75

I typically gravitate towards books that are strong in themes... this one wasn't. But what it lacked there it made up for in the melodramatic. It was emotional, sad, romantic, and complicated. Wharton's characters have a strong sense of reality. They are complicated,and messy and my heart couldn't help feeling for them even while judging them immensely. If you want a short, passionate, and sad book this would be the one for you!
Foster by Claire Keegan

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emotional sad 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? No

4.25

Nothing about the setting, characters or circumstances felt remarkable.... And that wa sits beauty. It was a very nicely written insight into a young girls summer away from home. I wish there was more to this book so I could have understood her fear and family better. But maybe that was half the enjoyment was the mystery of the specifics.
To see her heart warmed, her anxiety calmed, and people find love... It was lovely.
 
A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman, Rafael Albuquerque, Rafael Scavone

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

A very fun and solid Lovecraftian spin on Sherlock Holmes with fun nods to other gothic tales, like Doctor Jekyll Mr. Hyde. The art was pretty great and the vibes were amazing!
Phantom of the Opera by Time Princess

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3.5

Fun and lighthearted. This choose your own adventure remake worked very well. While I don't like Phantom of the Opera, I actually enjoyed this as it felt like I could say no to the things about the story that I don't like.