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jaybird_reads's reviews
13 reviews
One Too Many by Daimhin
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
felt more like a middle grade book. very heavy handed with it’s morals and way too sappy sweet for me personally. I really wanted to like this but did not. also…. fatphobia.
Manhattan Loverboy by Arthur Nersesian
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Fastest DNF ever. Couldn’t get past the absurd threats the MC threw at secretaries and whatever, never mind the general absurdity of the rest of the book.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
No stars because no star rating feels accurate. On one hand, the prose is really beautiful and the book is, at times, incredibly written. On the other, I do not believe this author should have ever written this book.
I will begin this by saying that I am a queer disabled man, and it is for that reason (and my insatiable, sometimes harmful curiosity) that I read this book.
This book is not some great gay novel as so many have claimed. It is not even written about queerness; it just uses sex with men as one of the many ways that Jude is physically and emotionally tortured. Jude’s sexuality, trauma, and disability is not written with empathy — it is written with a sick fascination that is voyeuristic in nature.
Some of the characters are more than lovable. Some of the scenes and relationships are beyond beautiful. I cried over the first description of Jude’s pain because it was so similar to my own. I cried over the care that Harold showed Jude. I don’t care. The point of this book could have been achieved in 200 less pages and with less than half of the atrocities that were done to Jude.
I might write more later, but for now I have finally sat down and read (in one week) this 800 page trauma-porn novel that so many people are undeservedly obsessed with (most likely because our culture is obsessed with trauma and abuse, especially that visited upon queer men) and can finally say from personal experience: do not fucking read this book.
I will begin this by saying that I am a queer disabled man, and it is for that reason (and my insatiable, sometimes harmful curiosity) that I read this book.
This book is not some great gay novel as so many have claimed. It is not even written about queerness; it just uses sex with men as one of the many ways that Jude is physically and emotionally tortured. Jude’s sexuality, trauma, and disability is not written with empathy — it is written with a sick fascination that is voyeuristic in nature.
Some of the characters are more than lovable. Some of the scenes and relationships are beyond beautiful. I cried over the first description of Jude’s pain because it was so similar to my own. I cried over the care that Harold showed Jude. I don’t care. The point of this book could have been achieved in 200 less pages and with less than half of the atrocities that were done to Jude.
I might write more later, but for now I have finally sat down and read (in one week) this 800 page trauma-porn novel that so many people are undeservedly obsessed with (most likely because our culture is obsessed with trauma and abuse, especially that visited upon queer men) and can finally say from personal experience: do not fucking read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so well-crafted. I loved every minute that I spent reading it and will definitely read it again. I’m hesitant to call the characters lovable; because like in her first novel, Reid has filled this story with side characters that are deeply flawed and cruel (and well written). I did though love the main character (her flaws included) and her love interest (the least flawed of all) very much.
I love the way it reads like a fairytale, and Reid’s love of purple prose fits in smoothly with the theme.
Head the content warnings well, this book is pretty explicit. Massive CW for bulimia, grooming and sexual abuse, and intense abuse from family members. Also violent ideation (the subject being self or others).
I love the way it reads like a fairytale, and Reid’s love of purple prose fits in smoothly with the theme.
Head the content warnings well, this book is pretty explicit. Massive CW for bulimia, grooming and sexual abuse, and intense abuse from family members. Also violent ideation (the subject being self or others).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal death, Antisemitism, and Cannibalism
Minor: Death of parent
Meet Me in the Middle by Alex Light
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
😀
This book is so fucking sad and slow paced. I read it in 3 days and loved it.
I didn’t expect to even like this book. I’m not one for the “best friend’s brother” trope or wattpad writers, but here I am ugly sobbing over it.
The characters are lovable in a heartbreaking sort of way. Truman was really relatable to me, which isn’t something I say about many characters. I cried in probably every chapter from his POV.
This book is probably not for everyone. Not much gets resolved plot-wise, and the characters blaming themselves for Katie’s accident is constant and not very logical, but that’s just how grief is.
I really liked that the two main characters handled their grief and depression in different ways.
This book is so fucking sad and slow paced. I read it in 3 days and loved it.
I didn’t expect to even like this book. I’m not one for the “best friend’s brother” trope or wattpad writers, but here I am ugly sobbing over it.
The characters are lovable in a heartbreaking sort of way. Truman was really relatable to me, which isn’t something I say about many characters. I cried in probably every chapter from his POV.
This book is probably not for everyone. Not much gets resolved plot-wise, and the characters blaming themselves for Katie’s accident is constant and not very logical, but that’s just how grief is.
I really liked that the two main characters handled their grief and depression in different ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Car accident
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Crying screaming throwing up, a perfect slower paced and more character-driven ending to Six of Crows
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WEEEEEEE
10/10 go have fun and read this book. Incredible. Absolutely immaculate plot and characters with every chapter being gripping. Nice.
It’s easy to mentally age up the characters which is nice if you’re not into reading about teenagers. The plot itself is not at all YA-ish (iykyk).
Major spoiler funny joke:
dead brother kickboard had me FROWNING and groaning
10/10 go have fun and read this book. Incredible. Absolutely immaculate plot and characters with every chapter being gripping. Nice.
It’s easy to mentally age up the characters which is nice if you’re not into reading about teenagers. The plot itself is not at all YA-ish (iykyk).
Major spoiler funny joke:
Reforged by Seth Haddon
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I wanted this book to be a lot better than it was, but it’s still funny, sweet, and a pretty good read if you want some light queer fantasy.
The book could have used some more editing (like a good editor and a couple more drafts could have brought it to 4-5 stars). A lot of the characters and world building fell flat for me, and while there was plenty of diversity in character design the female characters could have… talked to each other.
Nonetheless, I adored Zavrius and the plot twists had me dropping my jaw, so still pretty good! Potential was just greater than the actual execution.
The book could have used some more editing (like a good editor and a couple more drafts could have brought it to 4-5 stars). A lot of the characters and world building fell flat for me, and while there was plenty of diversity in character design the female characters could have… talked to each other.
Nonetheless, I adored Zavrius and the plot twists had me dropping my jaw, so still pretty good! Potential was just greater than the actual execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content