moonyreadsbystarlight's reviews
610 reviews

The Gifts of the Body by Rebecca Brown

emotional reflective

4.5

This is told in 11 short chapters, snapshots in the narrator's experience as a nurse's aid for people with AIDS in the early 90's, each focused on a particular motif. We revisit each character from the first half of the book in the second half in different ways, giving the book a bit of continuity and a symetry. 

The writing style has simple descriptions, yet the emotion still comes right through. It very much mirrored the feeling in that sort of situation; when you're trying to distance your emotions to get what needs to be done, to not feel the overwhelm. 

This sort of literature is incredibly important. I think today, despite so much information being at our fingertips, there is a separation from history. The AIDS epidemic isn't really taught about, but it is so important to understand a lot of what is happening now. 

I will say, obviously this has medical content and death, but there is also some ableism. Some of it is passive word choice, but also mostly from the narrator's reflection (and most of these thoughts are also critiqued by the narrator in-text).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Grief

Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, Dementia

Discussion of assisted suicide

Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione

lighthearted

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

3.0

I liked the concept behind the magic and the art was cute. There was also a diverse cast of characters. But the story felt rushed and the dialog was awkward at times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Classism

Minor: Cancer

Until I Love Myself, Vol. 1: The Journey of a Nonbinary Manga Artist by Poppy Pesuyama

reflective

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria

A Touch of Ruckus by Ash Van Otterloo

adventurous emotional mysterious

• 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

4.5

This was really fun and adventurous with an interesting mystery, but also hits on some important issues, including mental health and the environment. The condundrum of being the eldest daughter and chronic people pleaser hit a little too close to home, but (being vauge to avoid spoilers) how things ended up and the moral around that was really good and kind of cathartic.

Overall, thus was fun, had a lot of heart, and some important messages. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness

Minor: Animal cruelty

Accidental misgendering

Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom

emotional reflective

3.75

Some poems were quite strong, others I had a hard time with. The style was a bit repetitive for the bulk of the poems, but I did like the prompts after each poem - that was interesting and had some that I think I'll revisit and do. I think I'm just a little too jaded to really appreciate this. Maybe I will try it again when I am feeling more optimistic but I had a hard time getting into parts of it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Murder

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

dark mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

This was so creepy, especially in the last half, I was so jumpy reading it. It was atmospheric, suspenseful, and grotesque. I also really enjoyed the MC and thought some of the secondary characters were quite quirky and charming

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, War

Minor: Misogyny

The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.75

The main character, Leslie, is an invert traveling through Kentucky in the 1920s on duty as a nurse, to give vaccines and provide care around childbirth. This begins as more of a historical novel. Leslie is assigned to provide care and vaccines in a small town Appalachian. He receives unprecedented religious pushback in the town, which complicates his job and potentially his livelihood. But there are people he is determined to help before he leaves. 

The horror element slowly builds as the woods are clearly more than they seem. So much of the story culminates towards the end, making this a bit of a slower burn, but trust that it ends with a bang. 

The blurb promises "historical horror, trans romance, and bloodsoaked revenge" and most certainly delivers on all in more ways than I was anticipating (it gets gruesome and spicy, but also I can see where Madelo's writing style was impacted by the time in which he is writing.).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Abortion, War

Moderate: Ableism, Rape, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill

hopeful inspiring relaxing

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

4.5

This is a short story that is so soft. It's about caring and loving and it has adorable art. This was like a warm, comforting cup of tea - but with little floral dragons

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

emotional reflective

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

4.5

This was a sweeping family saga full of twists. There were heavy meditations on personal identity, memory, legacy, and so much more. While the cast of characters was kind of big, it wasn't confusing or overwhelming. While there were parts I'd wanted more from, most of it was really great. It was also interesting to hear about her research process in the author's notes. I listened to this on audiobook and I quite enjoyed it. Sometimes multi-POV can be difficult for me on audio, but this one didn't give me any trouble! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Cancer, Death, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Colonisation

Gambling addiction, being forced to give a child up for adoption, and discussion of impending climate disaster are also CWs I would add.

With A Vengeance by Freydís Moon

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

I did read this but I no longer feel comfortable recommending anything by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use, Cultural appropriation, Deportation