joakimm's reviews
108 reviews

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.75

Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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? N/A

4.5

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater

adventurous dark 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

4.5

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Thief by Maurice Leblanc

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

One of the best books I’ve read in a while, truly. R. F. Kuang has this way about her writing that’s so beautiful yet simple, and so engaging. With a set of incredibly complex and thought out characters it was hard not to get attached and invested. The plot was easy to follow, but didn’t lack depth. It was gripping and interesting the whole way through, and even the fantasy aspects (which I more often than not don’t care for) was implemented in a way that made sense and elevated the story and it’s stakes. The relationships explored in this book were beautiful and heart wrenching. And lastly this was a insightful and rather educational book which dives into the root on colonialism, power imbalance and exploitation and racism. I loved this book, I’m happy to say it lived up to and exceeded my expectations.

Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75