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jessicabobessica's reviews
23 reviews
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
No thanks.
This felt like an odd attempt by an author to redeem her previous work. It was less a sequel to the handmaid’s tale and more a jumble of junk in the same universe.
Pass
This felt like an odd attempt by an author to redeem her previous work. It was less a sequel to the handmaid’s tale and more a jumble of junk in the same universe.
Pass
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another kind of us-vs-them story with a very character-driven premise. This would be a good choice for those who liked Where The Crawdads Sing, but want a more diverse and complex read.
This book really tackles some tough territory in a way that feels accessible. The issues of class and race are presented without expectation from the author that people *already know* how these things work.
I enjoyed this one.
This book really tackles some tough territory in a way that feels accessible. The issues of class and race are presented without expectation from the author that people *already know* how these things work.
I enjoyed this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, and Gaslighting
An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Listen, I wanted to love this.
At the end of the day, this wasn’t for me and didn’t feel worth it once I got to the end.
It has all kinds of things that I normally love in a book, but was missing the warmth that usually carries me through a dark theme. It fell flat.
Overall, wouldn’t recommend it and won’t read it again.
At the end of the day, this wasn’t for me and didn’t feel worth it once I got to the end.
It has all kinds of things that I normally love in a book, but was missing the warmth that usually carries me through a dark theme. It fell flat.
Overall, wouldn’t recommend it and won’t read it again.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Just a really good book. Those dystopian apocalypse themes hit different in 2023.
I will say - if you want to watch the show, do that FIRST. Otherwise you will absolutely hate the show because it doesn’t hold a candle to the book.
I will say - if you want to watch the show, do that FIRST. Otherwise you will absolutely hate the show because it doesn’t hold a candle to the book.
The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You’ll always get me with a “woman’s descent into madness” story. Feels like a must-read for any budding feminist.
More than 100 years after publication - it still hits HARD.
More than 100 years after publication - it still hits HARD.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club by Megan Gail Coles
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen more of *myself* in a book. The descriptions of life in east-coast Canada, living pay check to pay check as a restaurant worker, ugly power-dynamics, toxic relationships… this book had all of it.
I remember thinking “wow” so many times during reading.
I will say it’s a darker story than I normally go for. The themes, being so *real* can hit pretty hard.
Overall - decent read for those that like character driven drama.
I remember thinking “wow” so many times during reading.
I will say it’s a darker story than I normally go for. The themes, being so *real* can hit pretty hard.
Overall - decent read for those that like character driven drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting
The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
I had zero expectations going into this read, but was pleasantly surprised. It’s a dark, queer, mysterious look at the cult-like nature of class systems - among other things.
It’s the kind of book you can picture HBO turning into a miniseries. Non Binary lead, weird and wild story, and a plethora of teen angst.
I will say, the third act comes on a bit fast and feels off-pace with the rest of the book. If you’re prepared for it, it feels less abrupt.
I loved it.
It’s the kind of book you can picture HBO turning into a miniseries. Non Binary lead, weird and wild story, and a plethora of teen angst.
I will say, the third act comes on a bit fast and feels off-pace with the rest of the book. If you’re prepared for it, it feels less abrupt.
I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Blood, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, and Classism
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s a Ruth Ware mystery. I can’t really say much else about it.
If you like a page-turning, easy-to-read thriller, you can trust this book is for you.
As far as mysteries go, it’s not very juicy. I’d have liked a lot more character development.
If you like a page-turning, easy-to-read thriller, you can trust this book is for you.
As far as mysteries go, it’s not very juicy. I’d have liked a lot more character development.
Larry's Party by Carol Shields
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
If you’re looking for a quirky and interesting story with moments of humor and hope - this will fill that need decently.
It’s not perfect, and not my favourite, but I enjoyed it.
It’s not perfect, and not my favourite, but I enjoyed it.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don’t know if I’ve ever had my heart so broken and built up by a single book.
This book has all the things I look for in a story:
-Character driven plot
-Flawed and loveable characters
-Real-world motivations and issues
-Love as a through line
If you need a hopeful reminder that people are inherently good - this is a perfect book for that.
This book has all the things I look for in a story:
-Character driven plot
-Flawed and loveable characters
-Real-world motivations and issues
-Love as a through line
If you need a hopeful reminder that people are inherently good - this is a perfect book for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Suicide attempt