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lakeofstars's reviews
20 reviews
The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
my dad gave me this book like five years ago bc he said he thought of me when he saw it and i think i was so offended bc of the title that i subconsciously put off reading it until now.
this was an equal-parts frustrating and neat little sci-fi thriller. i didn't put it down once other than to solve the time dilation problem!
misc thoughts/critiques:
- the first half was very tell>show, but this improved as time went on
- i wish we had more time with romy before the eternity, to connect with her and better understand her loneliness and subsequent excitement
- the fanfics were so short! i know that if they were longer it wouldve impeded on the story, but... a sixteen y.o. w nothing better to do writing half pages?
- i rlly dont like the juvenile writing style most YA books have... felt like it took away from the story, and made the graphic scenes really jarring (and not in a good way)
- loved the portrayal of mental illness. that is what really made me understand romy's character.
[SPOILER-ISH]
- personally i found every twist Very predictableand was quite frustrated with romy's naivete, but i understand that... of course she is? she doesn't have the same human experiences with selfishness and poor motives as the rest of us. but also. as someone w paranoia. I wouldve checked those files' physical source Before downloading.
-let's be honest, no way is NASA hiring that guy.
- i felt so happy for romy at the end. super satisfying ending, but again i wish we had a bit More!
this was an equal-parts frustrating and neat little sci-fi thriller. i didn't put it down once other than to solve the time dilation problem!
misc thoughts/critiques:
- the first half was very tell>show, but this improved as time went on
- i wish we had more time with romy before the eternity, to connect with her and better understand her loneliness and subsequent excitement
- the fanfics were so short! i know that if they were longer it wouldve impeded on the story, but... a sixteen y.o. w nothing better to do writing half pages?
- i rlly dont like the juvenile writing style most YA books have... felt like it took away from the story, and made the graphic scenes really jarring (and not in a good way)
- loved the portrayal of mental illness. that is what really made me understand romy's character.
[SPOILER-ISH]
- personally i found every twist Very predictable
-
-
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Confinement
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual content
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
this book was hand catered for me i think
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Violence, Colonisation, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
i feel like i need to lie face down in a pool of water and never resurface
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Body horror, and Death of parent
Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason by Michel Foucault
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
not my favorite of his works, but still valuable and interesting
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i always come back to you and i am always angry
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racial slurs, Violence, Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Death, and Sexism
Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
unfortunately this was (very clearly) written by a straight white man. the best aspects are Really Fucking Good!! it's just there's also the... SA as a plot device... real world racial slurs in Deeply Otherworldly scifi setting... rather one-dimensional female characters....
i also felt like the ending fizzled despite the great build-up.
i mean, i liked it enough to read it again. and recommend it. i do recommend this book. just with a GIANT warning label.
i also felt like the ending fizzled despite the great build-up.
i mean, i liked it enough to read it again. and recommend it. i do recommend this book. just with a GIANT warning label.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Animal death, Racial slurs, Rape, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Gore, Incest, Racism, and Sexual assault
Schoolgirl by Osamu Dazai
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5