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magicalghoul's reviews
104 reviews
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A bit of a challenging one since it was, ultimately, about an abusive relationship.
The writing style is beautiful and lent itself really well to the audiobook format but I would've loved to see more moments with the other characters to really feel that bond they had. I enjoyed reading it but it could've pushed itself a bit more in that regard, if anything to at least make an even more satisfactory ending.
The writing style is beautiful and lent itself really well to the audiobook format but I would've loved to see more moments with the other characters to really feel that bond they had. I enjoyed reading it but it could've pushed itself a bit more in that regard, if anything to at least make an even more satisfactory ending.
La mala costumbre by Alana S. Portero
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Historia coming of age de una mujer trans en el seno de una comunidad y familia obrera en una España post-Franco.
La autora tiene un dominio increíble sobre la palabra, nutre la narrativa con pasajes hermosisimos e hila multiples historias entre otras, haciendo pausas e introduciendo personajes de forma magistral.
Lamentaba cuando tenía que pausar la lectura y tuve que revisar una y dos veces para cerciorarme de que se trataba de una historia de ficción, pues todo era tan real (aún con las influencias y guiños a cuentos de hadas) como algo sentido en la vida real en su totalidad.
Muy dura pero también muy esperanzadora. Este libro y Las Malas de Camila Sosa Villada parecen en conversación, no solo por la temática principal pero también por cómo ambos reflejan los triunfos y penurias de las mujeres trans de la clase trabajadora, cada una desde su propio continente.
La autora tiene un dominio increíble sobre la palabra, nutre la narrativa con pasajes hermosisimos e hila multiples historias entre otras, haciendo pausas e introduciendo personajes de forma magistral.
Lamentaba cuando tenía que pausar la lectura y tuve que revisar una y dos veces para cerciorarme de que se trataba de una historia de ficción, pues todo era tan real (aún con las influencias y guiños a cuentos de hadas) como algo sentido en la vida real en su totalidad.
Muy dura pero también muy esperanzadora. Este libro y Las Malas de Camila Sosa Villada parecen en conversación, no solo por la temática principal pero también por cómo ambos reflejan los triunfos y penurias de las mujeres trans de la clase trabajadora, cada una desde su propio continente.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
The You You Are by Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PHD
Oh Mark, you're so loved 😔😔😔
Ricken may be a Bit self centered and misguided but his heart is in the right place. Down with "Ricken is the real evil" theorists!!!!
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
I wish I knew how to help him. And perhaps some-day I will. But for now, I'm grateful for who I can help: You.
Oh Mark, you're so loved 😔😔😔
Ricken may be a Bit self centered and misguided but his heart is in the right place. Down with "Ricken is the real evil" theorists!!!!
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
One of those books you just don't want to finish.
Very beautiful. There's so many allegories that could be applied to it, specially considering the author had to flee from a genocide.
Despite the bleak setup, the power of community, curiosity, resilience and compassion in the face of the cruelest, most incomprehensible of scenarios (and the perceived lack or distance to humanity the protagonist sees in herself) shine through.
Very beautiful. There's so many allegories that could be applied to it, specially considering the author had to flee from a genocide.
Despite the bleak setup, the power of community, curiosity, resilience and compassion in the face of the cruelest, most incomprehensible of scenarios (and the perceived lack or distance to humanity the protagonist sees in herself) shine through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Dementia, and Grief
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thought I'd enjoy it more than I actually did.
It was a challenging read, despite me relating to many aspects of the protagonist's whole deal (Your early 20s are all about maladaptive daydreaming, seeing what cocktail of psychiatric meds best work for you and engaging in a Lot of depression naps, right?)
The last act did keep me engaged though, and I know that last line will haunt me.
It was a challenging read, despite me relating to many aspects of the protagonist's whole deal (Your early 20s are all about maladaptive daydreaming, seeing what cocktail of psychiatric meds best work for you and engaging in a Lot of depression naps, right?)
The last act did keep me engaged though, and I know that last line will haunt me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Abortion
The Predator (Animorphs Graphix #5) by K.A. Applegate, Michael Grant
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
Eva debut, Eva debut!
The timing of this one felt a little off, but I'll live. The graphic novels chop A Lot of inner dialogue which I understand, but also think is detrimental to character development but that's just how it is, I guess. The choice to have Rachel's dialogue in the middle of it despite it being a Marco book was also an odd one but I'm not complaining too much because it did give us a cute moment with her and Tobias.
Also the gag of Marco walking out of Marco's office with two purple eyes was honestly too funny. My poor child.
The timing of this one felt a little off, but I'll live. The graphic novels chop A Lot of inner dialogue which I understand, but also think is detrimental to character development but that's just how it is, I guess. The choice to have Rachel's dialogue in the middle of it despite it being a Marco book was also an odd one but I'm not complaining too much because it did give us a cute moment with her and Tobias.
Also the gag of Marco walking out of Marco's office with two purple eyes was honestly too funny. My poor child.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and War
Minor: Gore
Bunny by Mona Awad
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Are you ever so lonely and gay and repressed (specially repressed) that you invent the woman of your dreams, not knowing it's your soulmate until it's too late? That you invent a man that's just a reflectionof yourself but who can freely love said woman, and can be freely be loved by the clique of girls you so desperately love/hate and who also desperately loves and hates you and wants to be acknowledged by you?
Incredible read, was really wondering where it was leading up to and once all the pieces started to fall into place it was just so good.
It's definitely a surreal piece but not as incomprehensible as some reviews might make you believe. Will probably revisit it sometime in the future.
Incredible read, was really wondering where it was leading up to and once all the pieces started to fall into place it was just so good.
It's definitely a surreal piece but not as incomprehensible as some reviews might make you believe. Will probably revisit it sometime in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic friendship, and Classism
The Message by K.A. Applegate, Michael Grant
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Ax debut, Ax debut! And his design is so cute!
My only gripe is that there wasn't much of Cassie's internal monologue at the end, which I consider to be one of the most beautiful ones in the series and is very important to set her character! So hopefully future adaptations do better on that
My only gripe is that there wasn't much of Cassie's internal monologue at the end, which I consider to be one of the most beautiful ones in the series and is very important to set her character! So hopefully future adaptations do better on that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Animal death
The Encounter by K.A. Applegate, Michael Grant
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Having a visual for the mall scene just makes it more heartbreaking.... My shayla 😔
I've grown fond of Grant's art style
I've grown fond of Grant's art style
The Hork-Bajir Chronicles by K.A. Applegate
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
In good animorphs fashion, not even 40% in and someone's family had already been charred to death in front of their eyes .
This entry in the saga keeps the tradition of depicting the Hork Bajir as 'noble savages'. Sure, Aldrea, Esplin, and the Arn underestimate them, so it makes sense from their perspective. But the book itself kind of buys into that trope too, and it's been an issue in the series. I liked how Dak Hamee calls Aldrea out on it and stands up for his people, and how that even affects their relationship, but it feels a bit like a retcon that doesn't quite work.
Still, it's my favorite Chronicles book. I adore the interspecies love story with duplicitous dynamics but ultimately living on, the rebellion doomed to fail, the continued theme of youngsters being pushed to make difficult decisions beyond their age, the cautionary tale it presents for the rest of the saga.
We even get Visser Three's backstory and some info on Alloran.
I listened to the audiobook and Esplin's voice actress was perfect, honestly my favorite of the new three narrators for this book. I think it's a brilliant choice to have Esplin narrated by a female voice actress considering the yeerks themselves don't seem to have a concept of gender— and also a little surprise for new readers when the character's identity is revealed.
Also it's 2025 and I'm still asking for a Seerow book, thanks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Slavery, Death of parent, Murder, and War