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onthesamepage's reviews
1033 reviews
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Murderbot is the single most relatable character in the universe to me right now, because I, too, would like to spend my days endlessly consuming fun media, rather than deal with reality. This was a fun, short adventure, with a great cast of characters that becomes a lovely little found family.
Even if you don't usually read scifi, I would recommend giving this ago. It's set in space/a different planet, and there are definitely scifi elements, but it's definitely on the lighter side, and the concepts are easy to grasp. It's much more about the characters, anyway, and they are delightful.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Yes, talk to Murderbot about its feelings. The idea was so painful I dropped to 97 percent efficiency.
Murderbot is the single most relatable character in the universe to me right now, because I, too, would like to spend my days endlessly consuming fun media, rather than deal with reality. This was a fun, short adventure, with a great cast of characters that becomes a lovely little found family.
Even if you don't usually read scifi, I would recommend giving this ago. It's set in space/a different planet, and there are definitely scifi elements, but it's definitely on the lighter side, and the concepts are easy to grasp. It's much more about the characters, anyway, and they are delightful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
funny
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.5
The narrative voice is funny enough at first, but the 200+ footnotes, most of which were genuinely useless and many of which were repetitive to boot, wore me down by the end. The cast of characters was interesting enough, and I appreciated the romantic subplot as well. Would love to see more of Allison—she seemed way too cool to be hanging out with the rest of them.
I don't think the mystery is very unpredictable if you've been reading within the genre for a while, but it was still entertaining.
I don't think the mystery is very unpredictable if you've been reading within the genre for a while, but it was still entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Stalking
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
slow-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? No
4.0
Why did nobody ever tell me there was a whole section about Hobbiton after the battles, and that it is arguably the best part of the entire series? I would've read this much sooner. I absolutely loved that part.
I also really liked the rest of this, though, and for me this is the best book in the series. I didn't find it needlessly long-winded like I did The Two Towers, and I was engaged with the story throughout. Andy Serkis absolutely blows the narration out of the park for all three books, so if it's possible for you to read it on audio, I would highly recommend it.
This will never be one of my favourite series, but I do appreciate everything it has done for the fantasy genre in general, and I'm glad I finally read all of it.
I also really liked the rest of this, though, and for me this is the best book in the series. I didn't find it needlessly long-winded like I did The Two Towers, and I was engaged with the story throughout. Andy Serkis absolutely blows the narration out of the park for all three books, so if it's possible for you to read it on audio, I would highly recommend it.
This will never be one of my favourite series, but I do appreciate everything it has done for the fantasy genre in general, and I'm glad I finally read all of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi
I love and fear Tochi Onyebuchi's writing in equal measures, because I always feel like I am missing so much of what he's trying to tell me. But I keep picking up his books anyway.
This is a biting commentary on and criticism of mass incarceration and racism in America. It was extremely relevant when it was published in 2020, and honestly feels even more so now. It's about the feeling of helplessness when someone you love falls victim to systems of injustice, no matter how powerful you may be, but it's also about the power of community, and the idea that people can affect change, no matter how unlikely it seems.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am the locusts. Ella sends the thought out like a concussive wave, so that it hits every surveillance orb in the neighborhood, every wired cop, every crabtank in the nearby precinct. I am the locusts and the frogs and the rivers of blood.
I'm here now.
I love and fear Tochi Onyebuchi's writing in equal measures, because I always feel like I am missing so much of what he's trying to tell me. But I keep picking up his books anyway.
This is a biting commentary on and criticism of mass incarceration and racism in America. It was extremely relevant when it was published in 2020, and honestly feels even more so now. It's about the feeling of helplessness when someone you love falls victim to systems of injustice, no matter how powerful you may be, but it's also about the power of community, and the idea that people can affect change, no matter how unlikely it seems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality
Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
Lost In The Cloud by Paskim
dark
emotional
sad
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
This was actually my first webtoon, and it did not disappoint. The art is gorgeous, but I also really enjoyed the story. There's something so compelling about Cirrus and Skylar as main characters. It's pretty dark, overall—both of them have a lot of baggage, and it's clear, especially at the beginning, that they're not good for each other. But as they both grow, their relationship grows with them.
I wasn't sure I'd be able to root for the romance considering it starts with blackmail. When taken at face value, Cirrus's actions are those of a jerk. But the author does a great job at taking you deeper into the why behind the what, and even though it takes a while, all the strange behavior ends up making perfect sense. I found myself deeply sympathizing with both Skylar and Cirrus. There were moments where I feared they wouldn't make it out of the dark places they found themselves in, but I'm happy to say that this ends in a good way. I'm glad the author took the time and extra chapters to flesh out/change the original ending.
I wasn't sure I'd be able to root for the romance considering it starts with blackmail. When taken at face value, Cirrus's actions are those of a jerk. But the author does a great job at taking you deeper into the why behind the what, and even though it takes a while, all the strange behavior ends up making perfect sense. I found myself deeply sympathizing with both Skylar and Cirrus. There were moments where I feared they wouldn't make it out of the dark places they found themselves in, but I'm happy to say that this ends in a good way. I'm glad the author took the time and extra chapters to flesh out/change the original ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault
A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
I managed to miss the Sailor Moon hype completely in my formative years, but even without the nostalgic aspect, I thought this was an interesting little novella, with a fresh, modern take on magical girls. Even though it doesn't dive deep into some of the themes it brings up, the story manages to touch on a lot of topics by virtue of the lore surrounding how magical girls come to be. The challenges facing women in South Korea, depression, suicide attempts, and abuse are among the darker themes the author briefly mentions, and even though the overall feeling is one of hope, once you really consider everything, it doesn't feel nearly as lighthearted as that.
The translation by Anton Hur reads very smoothly, and the illustrations throughout the editions are stunning. Definitely worth reading a physical copy if you can.
The translation by Anton Hur reads very smoothly, and the illustrations throughout the editions are stunning. Definitely worth reading a physical copy if you can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Sexual assault
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
dark
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
The search for a 5 star read from P. Djèlí Clark continues, because Ring Shout, despite all my expectations, also lands at a 4.
There's been hype surrounding this book in the bookish circles that I haunt ever since I started back in 2020. I can definitely see why—as novellas go, this one is very well executed. It tackles just enough to fit within the bounds of a small book, without feeling like we're only being told half a story. I ended up caring about the characters and their fates relatively quickly, too. The concept of Klu Kluxes being actual monsters is such a good one, and I liked everything we learn about them.
The story obviously deals with racism, but also with the fine line between righteous anger and outright hatred, explored through the character of Maryse. I think this possibly would have hit harder if I was American—I honestly didn't even realize The Birth of a Nation was an actual film, and not just something made up, until I Googled it afterwards. But it's still a very effective execution, and I'm glad I finally read it.
There's been hype surrounding this book in the bookish circles that I haunt ever since I started back in 2020. I can definitely see why—as novellas go, this one is very well executed. It tackles just enough to fit within the bounds of a small book, without feeling like we're only being told half a story. I ended up caring about the characters and their fates relatively quickly, too. The concept of Klu Kluxes being actual monsters is such a good one, and I liked everything we learn about them.
The story obviously deals with racism, but also with the fine line between righteous anger and outright hatred, explored through the character of Maryse. I think this possibly would have hit harder if I was American—I honestly didn't even realize The Birth of a Nation was an actual film, and not just something made up, until I Googled it afterwards. But it's still a very effective execution, and I'm glad I finally read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Slavery
Minor: Animal death
A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi, Laura Shovan
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
4.0
This was just effortlessly engaging. At first glance, Elizabeth and Sara don't seem to have much in common—Elizabeth is half British and Jewish, and Sara is Pakistani and Muslim. But when they are made partners in a cooking class taught by Sara's mom, they end up becoming friends. This leads to some friction between Elizabeth and her best friend, Maddie, who shows a racist side of her that Elizabeth didn't know existed.
I think this book had a lot of good conversations about addressing Islamphobia and racism, especially when it comes from people you're close to. It's something Elizabeth struggles with throughout the story, and the authors do a good job of showing how that impacts her budding friendship with Sara as well.
The story beats are pretty predictable, but that didn't make the reading experience any less enjoyable. I read this during Ramadan, and the food descriptions had me salivating. I was also pleasantly surprised by Stephanie's character, who turned out to be a perfect example of how dangerous assumptions can be.
I think this book had a lot of good conversations about addressing Islamphobia and racism, especially when it comes from people you're close to. It's something Elizabeth struggles with throughout the story, and the authors do a good job of showing how that impacts her budding friendship with Sara as well.
The story beats are pretty predictable, but that didn't make the reading experience any less enjoyable. I read this during Ramadan, and the food descriptions had me salivating. I was also pleasantly surprised by Stephanie's character, who turned out to be a perfect example of how dangerous assumptions can be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Grief
Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkaf
adventurous
sad
slow-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
3.5
This is my second book by the author, and her middle grade doesn't disappoint either. The writing doesn't pack the same punch as her YA novels, but that makes sense, since the target audience is different.
Hamra is a very relatable character. She is full of anger at the state of the world, and at the unfairness of her parents being away from her, and her grandmother losing herself bit by bit, and almost everyone forgetting her birthday. Her anger leads her to make some questionable choices with big consequences, and we follow her on her quest to deal with that, but also to deal with her emotions in a different way than letting them lead her by the nose.
I think middle graders will enjoy the adventure aspects of the story, and hopefully Hamra will teach them to think before acting. My one complaint is that I think the book is a bit too long. It failed to fully hold my attention in the middle, but I really appreciated the ending and what the author did there.
Hamra is a very relatable character. She is full of anger at the state of the world, and at the unfairness of her parents being away from her, and her grandmother losing herself bit by bit, and almost everyone forgetting her birthday. Her anger leads her to make some questionable choices with big consequences, and we follow her on her quest to deal with that, but also to deal with her emotions in a different way than letting them lead her by the nose.
I think middle graders will enjoy the adventure aspects of the story, and hopefully Hamra will teach them to think before acting. My one complaint is that I think the book is a bit too long. It failed to fully hold my attention in the middle, but I really appreciated the ending and what the author did there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Haikyu!!, Vol. 4 by Haruichi Furudate
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
I'm saying this like every review I write for Haikyuu isn't biased, but there's just something special about Nekoma and their relationship with Karasuno. This volume sets up the renewed rivalry between the two teams, and every team member has a counterpart that they're inspired by, on both sides. It's something I love to see—characters going up to each other post-match to rave about how amazing their rival was. It's all warm and fuzzy, and the Karasuno-Nekoma dynamic is unlike any other team dynamic in the series.