lighterthaneyre's reviews
169 reviews

Ruinsong by Julia Ember

medium-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

2.75

One of the main differences between this and the musical Phantom, and one I think is a big detriment, is changing the Phantom to an authoritarian Queen. Where as before the power was derived from toxic intimacy, now it is in (ham fistedley wielded) political power. The story really lacks that emotional intimacy that made it intoxicating in the first place.

I also found the ending really unstatisfing. Things didn't feel Built Up, they just sort of Happened. There didn't seem to be any payoff to Candace learning defensive spells, and everyone acts as though Remi at all effected the Revolution. In reality Things Happened and then it ended

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

adventurous dark 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Death

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

The Hellion's Waltz by Olivia Waite

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

Finna by Nino Cipri

adventurous reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison

mysterious slow-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

2.75

This goes through several Holmes cases as set in a supernatural world, as well as investigating Jack the Ripper. I never found the solutions super satisfying- it wasn't like reading a good Christie story. Just sort of a speculative What If sense.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism and Lesbophobia

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

I think this is a good book, but not necessarily a good book for me.

I found the tone indulgently over reflective. The steam of consciousness narration that split into tangets wasn't for me. 

It's strongest point, in my opinion, was the dialogue between family members and those relationships. It struck me as very familiar and natural. Complicated and sincere. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Abortion

Minor: Gun violence

Depictions of the early stages of the aids epidemic

Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

adventurous challenging dark sad tense 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

3.75

I had a hard time getting through the first third, but the back two thirds were much more engaging.

This is another book emphasizing the importance of bonds between people. It's grimmer than others, because it's also interrogating imperialism and the bounds of utilitarianism. But I think it's setting up just a killer conclusion that I'm looking forward too

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Colonisation

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Blood, and Gaslighting

Minor: Cancer, Homophobia, and Sexual content