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naolin's reviews
19 reviews
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
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
Parable of the Sower walked so that Parable of the Talents could run. That being said, both are intense. At times the story is very dark and can be a difficult read because of it, but that's part of the point. The way this book discussed religion was very interesting. You watch religion simultaneously being weaponized and utilized as a vessel of good and hope, but in the end, you start to feel like the good one left plenty of damage in it's wake, too. You follow Lauren for a long time and start to really root for her, but as you read more and more from Asha's perspective, it's hard not to reconsider. I also found Marc's story really compelling, rejecting not only his sister but his own identity in favor of the security and comfort of the Church. All in all, the story was layered and fascinating, although by nature, very heavy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, and War
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
adventurous
reflective
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Yeah, this book was not for me. I kept reading because I was waiting for it to get better but unfortunately it didn't.
First of all, why use a Vietnam war story as some sort of allegory for confessing to a crush? Why are four adults so fixated on setting up two teenagers? (Even if they are their parents, it's odd for them to be SO involved) Then there's a ton of build up which leads you to believe that Ari's brother would have a super complicated and interesting back story and then it's just "Oh, he killed a trans woman with his bare hands, unprovoked". Which was not only a really boring choice plot-wise, but felt weird as a trans reader. Also, there was no substance to the story. Nothing meaningful. There's no conflict outside of a couple of teenagers complaining and arguing over nothing.
Also, Ari repeatedly says that he loves Dante, that he's his best friend, etc. There's never any notion that Ari is romantically interested in him. But yet, his parents basically coax him into saying he's in love with Dante on the premise that if he wasn't, he wouldn't look out for him. Which is crazy— can friends not save each other's lives or beat up each other's enemies?
That being said, as a Mexican-American guy, a lot of their conversations about their culture were nice.
I don't know. I heard great things about this book but I figure it's just meant for a High School audience.
First of all, why use a Vietnam war story as some sort of allegory for confessing to a crush? Why are four adults so fixated on setting up two teenagers? (Even if they are their parents, it's odd for them to be SO involved) Then there's a ton of build up which leads you to believe that Ari's brother would have a super complicated and interesting back story and then it's just
Also, Ari repeatedly says that he loves Dante, that he's his best friend, etc. There's never any notion that Ari is romantically interested in him. But yet, his parents basically coax him into saying he's in love with Dante on the premise that if he wasn't, he wouldn't look out for him. Which is crazy— can friends not save each other's lives or beat up each other's enemies?
That being said, as a Mexican-American guy, a lot of their conversations about their culture were nice.
I don't know. I heard great things about this book but I figure it's just meant for a High School audience.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0