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marslotus's reviews
24 reviews
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.75
I love the author's ability to make you so easily love and hate the characters you need to love and hate. I also think in the hands of a lesser writer, a lot of parts of this book could have been so frustrating to read, but something like the fact that I had no clue what Peeta was thinking the entire games only to be revealed at the end is a storyline that commonly makes me roll my eyes, but I found myself so enraptured in the mystery of it all. And when Katniss is grappling with new romantic emotions, it feels so real how there's no good answer for her (at least for now?).
I will say some parts of this book were, grammatically, weirdly phrased to me? But that's just a nitpick. I also forgot that this was one of the first popularized YA dystopia novels, so I was laughing at the novel in the beginning as it rapid-fire made up new words this society uses which I know is a silly dystopia novel trope. Luckily, beyond the first few chapters, this aspect didn't bother me to greatly.
I will say some parts of this book were, grammatically, weirdly phrased to me? But that's just a nitpick. I also forgot that this was one of the first popularized YA dystopia novels, so I was laughing at the novel in the beginning as it rapid-fire made up new words this society uses which I know is a silly dystopia novel trope. Luckily, beyond the first few chapters, this aspect didn't bother me to greatly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Minor: Torture, Fire/Fire injury
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Hey why'd Piggy say that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Violence
Minor: Racial slurs
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Got disinterested sorryyy (UNFORTUNATELY, it seemed like a really good book that I may come back to someday)
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Started reading other books on the side and just never got back to this one :/
Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venable
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.75
I really really love the theme throughout this novel of misremembering formative events, such a real thing that can happen so often. I also love how imperfect Amanda is, a coming out story doesn't have to be innocent and the complexity of her relationships is so compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Outing
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
Reading this I felt as if I could feel the weight of care and consideration the author put into crafting this narrative, especially with a topic such as sexual assault of young girls. It's inevitable to relate to one or more characters within the story and the author makes you feel understood by his writing. I honestly sometimes felt like I was reading a quotebook the author compiled all of his favorite anecdotes on life into, and carefully assigned each opinion to certain characters.
If I were to complain about anything, I understand the purpose of so many different point of views since the book is quite literally about Beartown and how it's citizens react to drastic events but that doesn't make it less frustrating when I can't remember the name of characters that have 5 or so paragraphs total dedicated to their presence within the entire book. That and having new characters on top of those being introduced when you're already halfway through can just be a bit tiring. It also confuses me what worthiness it requires to be a named character vs being only referred to as something you do (the girlfriend, the president, etc). Maybe there's a real reason for it, but I haven't figured it out.
Regardless, this was a good read and I appreciate the way a lot of topics were handled.
If I were to complain about anything, I understand the purpose of so many different point of views since the book is quite literally about Beartown and how it's citizens react to drastic events but that doesn't make it less frustrating when I can't remember the name of characters that have 5 or so paragraphs total dedicated to their presence within the entire book. That and having new characters on top of those being introduced when you're already halfway through can just be a bit tiring. It also confuses me what worthiness it requires to be a named character vs being only referred to as something you do (the girlfriend, the president, etc). Maybe there's a real reason for it, but I haven't figured it out.
Regardless, this was a good read and I appreciate the way a lot of topics were handled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Alcohol
The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies by David Lubar
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
The library website I was using to read it didn't have a copy of it anymore, plus I was just re-reading it for fun so I didn't feel the need to go out of my way and finish it lmao
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Lévy, Frederik Peeters
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Reading this after watching the movie feels like drinking water in a desert. It's fast but mysterious and uses some art style choices I don't quite understand (like putting dark shadows over the characters as they're talking making them appear a bit scary when all they're doing is sitting in the shade?). So.. solid story, wish it was a little more substantial.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Islamophobia, Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Racism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Violence, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Excrement, Vomit