mentat_stem's reviews
787 reviews

Nophek Gloss by Essa Hansen

adventurous dark 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

4.5

Vampiric Vacation by Kiersten White

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

Love the allusions to Dracula. There's a lot of writing technique that really makes this feel like a story being told versus just read. I bought the books in this series for a set of fraternal twins in my family and the interactions between the twins in the book should be very relatable.

I love how the gothic atmosphere continues shine in these middle grade books.

I like that the mysteries in the books so far have been resolved as issues also relevant to parents that may be reading along.

Feels like opening for discussions about current events.

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

dark hopeful medium-paced

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

4.75

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

dark hopeful informative fast-paced

4.75

Hide by Kiersten White

adventurous dark 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

4.25

The Pallbearers Club by Paul Tremblay

dark funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Revelator by Daryl Gregory

adventurous dark mysterious 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

5.0

Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.75

Grievers by adrienne maree brown

informative inspiring sad slow-paced

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

4.75

A Red Death by Walter Mosley, Jane Chelius

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Amazingly similar resolution in the 1st and 2nd book. Love the setting. The puzzle box plot and the chaotic yet tidy conclusion were both satisfying.