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leduyhxxng's reviews
39 reviews
The Boy with a Bird in His Chest by Emme Lund
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
3.0
I love the rise of feel-good queer stories. I do not hate the book. The escapism was good enough. But I was quite disappointed by the fact that a lot of significant symbolisms (e.g. the flood, a bird in a chest, the colour purple) were not adequately explored. It all could go a wee crazier.
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't even know how to speak about this. Will come back to this later. A cool review on the internet: https://hoorayfordeadwhitemales.com/2021/06/13/a-single-man/
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's not bad. It felt honest. Like you were going through a teenager's mind (feelings overload, chaos and all). And you get to know what happens to Nick and Charlie post-Heartstopper. But other than these, nothing you can really take away from. It was entertaining while it lasted, though.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Raw, honest, and achingly beautiful. An important story. The second person narration was a perfect choice; the tone subtly accusatory, implying a sense of dissociation while a need for confrontation, as we follow along, stretches and swells. I can't write much, yet, haven't known stories could exist in this form. But this is my new favourite.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This graphic novel felt like drinking, sharing sweet lemonade with your family in the summer heat (given that none of them is dysfunctional). Often, stories about Vietnamese immigrants tend to preoccupy with the war, the displacement, and the traumas in their wake, without so much as a suggestion for what comes after. (Because life continues.) And thus, to read a story where characters try to move on, to love, to accept, even when it means "to break from tradition, and make do with what she knows [they know]," is a very refreshing narrative, especially when it was created with so much love, and visual as well as literary elegance.
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Going through All That's Left in the World feels like loving—everywhere, it radiates love. Not the intimate kind often ascribed to romance. (Friendships, other kinds of platonic connections, can go deep, too.) But the expansive feeling for humanity, for goodness. To hurt, but to give people the benefit of the doubt, regardless. Following the story feels like a love practice, to love, to hurt, but choose to love once again. Two reasons for the rating of four stars. The first quarter was not as captivating as the last three. (It could do with some added sense of suspense.) And the two main characters, in the beginning, weren't as clearly portrayed as when they started their post-apocalyptic adventure, and thus one of them, Andrew, seemed as if he had a sudden, out-of-pocket change. (I get it—character development. But it could do with a bit more characterisation.) Overall, I think the author was very deft at portraying dynamics between the characters, as well as building suspense (specifically towards the latter half of the novel). And we, certainly, need more post-apocalyptic queer stories like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexism
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
A really exciting MLM series. The dynamic way it was drawn and panelled—was exquisite! I wanted to say that gays deserve more heartstoppers like this one, but we definitely need more diverse types of representation.
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A really exciting MLM series. The dynamic way it was drawn and panelled—was exquisite! I wanted to say that gays deserve more heartstoppers like this one, but we definitely need more diverse types of representation.
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A really exciting MLM series. The dynamic way it was drawn and panelled—was exquisite! I wanted to say that gays deserve more heartstoppers like this one, but we definitely need more diverse types of representation.