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hustlinfuzz's Reviews (81)
dark
tense
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:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
[Cooking up a review, standby]
[Cooking up a review, standby]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Blood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I decided to reread the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series as a joke (I haven’t read these books since I was probably like 10) but… dare I say, it’s actually enjoyable?? Good?? Hilarious??
I like Greg as a character. He’s so funny and obviously he’s not a perfect protagonist. He learns virtually nothing from his missteps and actions. I love that. He’s the villain of his own story.
I like Greg as a character. He’s so funny and obviously he’s not a perfect protagonist. He learns virtually nothing from his missteps and actions. I love that. He’s the villain of his own story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sukuna 😋
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I always have the most to say in my reviews about books I rate the lowest, is that helpful? Can I ever just say “I didn’t like it” and move on? I suppose not…
So, *cracks knuckles*, Slip…
The story follows the main character, Jade, as she goes off on some kind of artist residency, competing with other high school aged artists for a scholarship to get into the big city school. Meanwhile, Jade’s best friend is currently being hospitalized after a suicide attempt. I don’t think any of that is a spoiler, but also the book doesn’t blossom into anything else. Jade dwells on her friend the entire summer, so much so that it seemingly impacts her work negatively.
I’m not saying this is unrealistic. I think anyone would have big feelings about their friend nearly dying. But that’s also the thing: Jade is just so numbly a nothing character for most of the book. Her big “character development” moment is when she shows an ounce of misery and a little bit of anger, which she funnels into making some of her best pieces… which then become destroyed.
So, *cracks knuckles*, Slip…
The story follows the main character, Jade, as she goes off on some kind of artist residency, competing with other high school aged artists for a scholarship to get into the big city school. Meanwhile, Jade’s best friend is currently being hospitalized after a suicide attempt. I don’t think any of that is a spoiler, but also the book doesn’t blossom into anything else. Jade dwells on her friend the entire summer, so much so that it seemingly impacts her work negatively.
I’m not saying this is unrealistic. I think anyone would have big feelings about their friend nearly dying. But that’s also the thing: Jade is just so numbly a nothing character for most of the book. Her big “character development” moment is when she shows an ounce of misery and a little bit of anger, which she funnels into making some of her best pieces… which then become destroyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Forced institutionalization
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book back in 2022, and I'm writing this review in... *checks my watch* 2025. So, take my review with a grain of salt. Or two. Maybe the whole salt shaker.
I don't remember particularly liking this book. I thought the author's writing was a little bland and unimaginative... but I do remember finishing this book, the first book I had completed since??? ever??? and I remember thinking "There's no way... that this is the popular book right now. There have to be better books out there." Which literally kickstarted a love of reading in my adulthood.
Even if the story was shit, I owe a lot to this book.
I don't remember particularly liking this book. I thought the author's writing was a little bland and unimaginative... but I do remember finishing this book, the first book I had completed since??? ever??? and I remember thinking "There's no way... that this is the popular book right now. There have to be better books out there." Which literally kickstarted a love of reading in my adulthood.
Even if the story was shit, I owe a lot to this book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute little graphic novel. I really liked the art style and the exploration of anxieties that come with growing up because I felt like I also shared some of these anxieties when I first started high school. Yes, bugs hatching out of my skin included.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
Minor: Drug use
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Speak is a great story. I remember reading it in my freshman year English class. I will undoubtedly read the actual novel again soon because I feel like the graphic novelization didn’t quite hit the mark. It was… fine… but I know that I’m missing out on details and nuances that the book executed so well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic friendship
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's peak.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent, Murder
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
This was a cute book. The author did a great job at writing a realistic, messy, awkward, obnoxious, teenage main character boy with a lot of depth and critical thinking skills. Does that make sense? Wren, as a main character, was well written in his struggle growing up, trying to find his place in high school and college, while also trying to navigate grief.
This book was my monthly Ace Spectrum pick since Wren also identifies as asexual.
I thought this was an okay read. I nearly DNF'ed it, but pushed through and started enjoying it a whole lot more in the second half.
This book was my monthly Ace Spectrum pick since Wren also identifies as asexual.
I thought this was an okay read. I nearly DNF'ed it, but pushed through and started enjoying it a whole lot more in the second half.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness, Alcohol
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Sequel Read to Cherry Blossoms After Winter Vol. 01
I mean, fine... This volume did a lot for developing Haebom as a character, but was way lacking in other departments.
I mean, fine... This volume did a lot for developing Haebom as a character, but was way lacking in other departments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent