leitnerkev's reviews
686 reviews

Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

spectacular. really a great Southern Reach novel. so impressive the way he writes the chaos and insanity of reality (unreality?) inside Area X. I have alot more understanding of area x or better to say at least an appreciation of it within the larger story arc. I'm glad he decided to come back to the Southern Reach trilogy and add this one into the pantheon, I liked it much more than book 3 which totally went over my head

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

The Future by Naomi Alderman

hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-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

3.5

really good twist, intriguing premise, hopeful in tone and outlook. a creative option for our future

The Will of the Many by James Islington

adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I think this is pretty well done, I can see why booktok likes it so much. It's a bit tropey but we'll written ans exciting 

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-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

3.0

I mean it was nice. Well constructed, moved well, engaging characters. Can I say tho that the level of mentally/emotionally healthy relationships is just frankly unlikely. I mean ca we get some real trauma impacting our story please? 😄

The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides

adventurous lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

I do live Ardor Benn and his adventures, particularly the sections of the book which feature his collaborations and reparte w his crew, Raek and Quarrah. This was a solid book but I liked book 1 better, that one was more surprising and high-spirited. This one went for the cataclysmic/epic angle and I guess that wasn't what I wanted from these characters. This one ends on a cliffhanger fyi so be forewarned.

I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-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

4.0

A fast paced roaring thriller with a compelling social message. Pargin handles the social divide straining our public discourse in the 2020s with deft insight and compelling empathy. It's a good reminder that there are often 2 sides to every issue, no a both-sidesism but an acknowledgement of differing perspectives, with a compelling reminder to listen to each other 

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Our Share of Night: A Novel by Mariana Enríquez, Megan McDowell

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-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

3.5

Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0