mentat_stem's reviews
809 reviews

Why Anarchists Don't Vote: Radical Criticisms of Representative Government by Emma Goldman, Voltairine de Cleyre, Élisée Reclus, Mikhail Bakunin, Errico Malatesta, Kotoku Shusui, Lucy Parsons, Alexander Berkman, Peter Kropotkin

challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

Provides a reminder that whoever wins the elections in November, there will be important work to strive for true freedom and direct democracy. 

Ranma ½. 2-in-1 Edition, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt

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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A Voice Calling by Christopher Barzak

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

Thrum by Meg Smitherman

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

Ragged Alice by Gareth L. Powell

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Standalone Welsh murder mystery with supernatural elements. This would feel at home on Britbox. 

Feels like a new murder every chapter and the theories shift with each. The hard drinking DCI that the story revolves around seems to be resolving quite a bit of trauma.

As the story progresses, flash backs, points of view and prevalence of supernatural elements all increase. It's wrapped up quickly and satisfactorily in the last dozen pages.

The soft epilogue is delightful.

Off-Time Jive by A. Z. Louise

dark lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Off-Time Jive was delightful. I had no idea what to expect, but the collision of identity and history and mystery and academia and magic worked perfectly. I'm always impressed when a short book—58 pages in this case—ends up feeling like exactly the right length.

Rarely is there such a happy ending to a dark mystery with so many murders.

Magic felt both casual and visceral and this is a world I wouldn't mind returning to in a longer work.

Loved the sapphic rep in the mix.

The Merry Dredgers by Jeremy C. Shipp

emotional mysterious medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse

Interviews with Radical Palestinian Women by Shoal Collective

challenging informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Roswell High: The Outsider (TV Series) by Metz, Melinda(November 1, 1999) Mass Market Paperback by Melinda Metz, Melinda Metz

adventurous lighthearted tense medium-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