john_the_captain's reviews
318 reviews

The Outsider by Stephen King

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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

Another solid entry by Stephen King, I love all the Holly Gibney & Bill Hodges books

The Big Ask by Simon James Green

emotional funny hopeful 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? N/A

4.0

A quick fun read. Nothing surprising. Small bit of homophobia.

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

I loved this boom. Fab characters. Easy flow to the prose. Definite vibes of Stephen Kings Firestarter & The Institute (which isnt a bad thing)

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative 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

Very enjoyable book. Would recommend.

The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

A nice sweet read. Well worth the time.

Blindness by José Saramago

dark sad 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? No

2.0

Loved the concept but it is a huge let down. 

This edition has little punctuation, no line breaks, no paragraphs and no indication of speech (inverted commas or italics) so is very hatd to slog through.

CW Rape & mysogeny

The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosoko Jackson

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Fab read. Another unique offering from Kosoko Jackson

Desert Echoes by Abdi Nazemian

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

A good read, well written. I've marked it down as its lacking originality in a busy grnre.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Really loved thus book. A refreshing entry to a busy genre

In Universes by Emet North

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-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

I really loved this book. Inventive and challenging with an economy of words belying a much more experienced author. Ironiacally there is a lightness  to the style of writing whilst dealing with very tough subjects. Well worth a read.