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gossamer_lens's reviews
1383 reviews
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A good piece of writing. Rather simple in themes and narrow in scope. But the theme it focuses on is an important one.
It is important we not forget the wrongs of the past, in case we forget how to identify and call them out when we see such wrongs in the present.
It is important we not forget the wrongs of the past, in case we forget how to identify and call them out when we see such wrongs in the present.
Blade Runner by Philip K. Dick
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thought I was going to rate the book lower. But after thinking on it, watching Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 and explaining the themes and plot in great detail to my husband.... I think I fell in love with it? Maybe not quite because it suffers from some general misogyny and the ending having several themes be forgotten a bit or lost in the mix of the main character being horny. But overall it offers a lot and is clearly a seminal work when it comes to exploring what it means to be human in media afterwards. Fun and solid.
The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
I love this kind of writing. I'm not a huge reader of graphic novels... So as a sort of intro to such it is intense. I enjoyed myself as I explored the dark, emotional and raw storytelling that is Sandman. I do have to say, I read it because of first loving the Netflix's Sandman TV show. And while I can appreciate this graphic novel, I don't think it can touch (at least season one's) ability to adapt this tale into something even darker, more thrilling, and more sensitive to the stories of women, POC, and LGBTQ+ characters contained within. I love the liberties Netflix took and it is one of the rare cases of a TV adaptation rising above the source material for me. And this was pretty good for source material.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A totally pleasent book that I will probably never think about again... Except when I reread This Is How You Lose the Time War and am reminded that I read this book because it was mentioned in one of the best books I've ever read.
This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
I cannot enjoy how the narration is unmoored in time and is clearly leading to a character being a trans women... And yet it insists on calling the character what they were assigned at birth. I would understand doing so if the narration was a first person or linearly moored narrative... But since it isn't it just feels disrespectful.
Looking up the author I had thought perhaps they were trans and so I could trust that the narrative would correct and maybe critic itself... But finding the author is the mother of a trans person who wrote the book while discovering her daughter is trans... I feel like perhaps this book is packed with intense feeling and emotion, but not necessarily the kind of focus and sensitivity I would hope for. I get it's hard for parents to deal with a fundamental shift in how they view their children... But I care more for the feelings of trans people then those around them. So despite this book being emotive and perhaps well written... I don't think it is a book for me.
Looking up the author I had thought perhaps they were trans and so I could trust that the narrative would correct and maybe critic itself... But finding the author is the mother of a trans person who wrote the book while discovering her daughter is trans... I feel like perhaps this book is packed with intense feeling and emotion, but not necessarily the kind of focus and sensitivity I would hope for. I get it's hard for parents to deal with a fundamental shift in how they view their children... But I care more for the feelings of trans people then those around them. So despite this book being emotive and perhaps well written... I don't think it is a book for me.
Content Warnings
Misgendering
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I felt very little emotion. I was intrigued by the magic when I figured out half way through there was magic. I was stunned to find this was a Great Gatsby fanfic.
I could see liking other works of this author. This fell flat for me as I don't inherently enjoy the characters of Great Gatsby and this didn't feel like it offered much other than a new awkward character and some flimsily inserted magic elements.
I truly hated tying LGBTQ people's sexual freedom to a place connected to the devil. I just felt so... Meh.
Again, the magic was interesting... So maybe if this authors work didn't lean so heavily on the idea of another person work it could feel fleshed out and emotionally intriguing.
I could see liking other works of this author. This fell flat for me as I don't inherently enjoy the characters of Great Gatsby and this didn't feel like it offered much other than a new awkward character and some flimsily inserted magic elements.
I truly hated tying LGBTQ people's sexual freedom to a place connected to the devil. I just felt so... Meh.
Again, the magic was interesting... So maybe if this authors work didn't lean so heavily on the idea of another person work it could feel fleshed out and emotionally intriguing.
Wishful Wonderland by Time Princess
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
I genuinely loved this story. I was truly touched by the child characters feeling of needing to hold herself together. The ending was lovely and I felt that the emotional through line was strong and well paced. I also really enjoyed the last chapter switching perspectives so we could enjoy the romantic subplot just a little more. Good stuff!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Self harm
Moderate: Death
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I've been having a great year with reading... This book is a crowning jewel. The writing is pure poetry. The way the story is told is captivating, hazy and electric. The characters are layered and defined. The world is raw, real and beautiful. The appreciation for music and music references are top tier. The interpersonal relationships are everything I could want. The ending was both unexpected and something my brain was waiting for. I have no bad notes. Just pure enjoyment even as I sat through the last few chapters crying my eyes out at the beauty, pain, and themes were wrapped up in fire prose.