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pdxpagemaster's reviews
295 reviews
The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
3.25
reading this made me feel like i was definitely not smart enough to follow what this book was ambitiously attempting.
when i figured out what was going on, i was SUPER into it. the problem for me is that only really understood what was happening maybe 25% of the time, and the POV or plot would shift with such a frequency that it was hard for me to hold focus.
this felt both remarkably unique and also like it was attempting too much for it to be a standalone vs. a series.
when i figured out what was going on, i was SUPER into it. the problem for me is that only really understood what was happening maybe 25% of the time, and the POV or plot would shift with such a frequency that it was hard for me to hold focus.
this felt both remarkably unique and also like it was attempting too much for it to be a standalone vs. a series.
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Did not finish book. Stopped at 68%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 68%.
i should have checked the content warning better before going in!
slowly being disemboweled was way too much for me with how short this book was
The Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bambara
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book is a wildly experimental text which follows stories and characters linked by themes more than plot and goes throughout the past, present, and future interchangeably.
Upon a mental health crisis, Velma receives spiritual healing and every life that is explored spirals out from this moment at the beginning of the novel.
It’s a really masterful work of poetic prose and seamlessly transitions across the different points of view that if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss the scene change.
This novel feels like one I want to study academically, where themes of acceptance and transformation are really present but I would like to be guided through it more with an expert and in conversation with others.
Upon a mental health crisis, Velma receives spiritual healing and every life that is explored spirals out from this moment at the beginning of the novel.
It’s a really masterful work of poetic prose and seamlessly transitions across the different points of view that if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss the scene change.
This novel feels like one I want to study academically, where themes of acceptance and transformation are really present but I would like to be guided through it more with an expert and in conversation with others.
Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I’m disappointed mainly because I had such high hopes for this one and because I loved the Daughter of the Moon Goddess duology so much.
This missed the mark for me I think because it was written in first person, with a lot of the narrator telling us instead of the author showing us what to expect of the plot.
The character relationships stagnated and repeated their arcs a few times with predictable twists and behaviors leaving little for surprise.
It was still written in a very lyrical way, but ultimately to me the story fell flat.
This missed the mark for me I think because it was written in first person, with a lot of the narrator telling us instead of the author showing us what to expect of the plot.
The character relationships stagnated and repeated their arcs a few times with predictable twists and behaviors leaving little for surprise.
It was still written in a very lyrical way, but ultimately to me the story fell flat.
A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I think my mouth is still gaping in stunned silence from finishing this brilliant and beautiful book.
Angels Before Man by rafael nicolás
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
what a hollowing, brutal, and beautiful book.
“the truth that we can be more, without him.”
this retelling of the fall of Lucifer really took me apart - and i think will really hook itself into anyone who has left evangelical christianity.
it was grotesque and lovely throughout, and the prose was so lush and poetic.
i am excited to read the second one, but gonna need some time to recover mentally and emotionally.
“the truth that we can be more, without him.”
this retelling of the fall of Lucifer really took me apart - and i think will really hook itself into anyone who has left evangelical christianity.
it was grotesque and lovely throughout, and the prose was so lush and poetic.
i am excited to read the second one, but gonna need some time to recover mentally and emotionally.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Just a bit too cutesy for me.
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
This is everything I could want from a cozy, found family, sapphic yearning of a fantasy.
The layers or each of the cast of characters were so delicate and lovely, the character progressions had me weeping, and the end of the book was so well buttoned up.
My heart feels full and swollen, wanting to cry and cry some more.
I have a feeling this is gonna be one i read and reread over and over again.
The layers or each of the cast of characters were so delicate and lovely, the character progressions had me weeping, and the end of the book was so well buttoned up.
My heart feels full and swollen, wanting to cry and cry some more.
I have a feeling this is gonna be one i read and reread over and over again.
Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Until the ending - which was good!! - I thought this was going to be a five star read.
I was absolutely hooked by this book by the beginning and all I wanted to do was read it. Told in multiple perspectives between a father and his estranged daughter, this is a science fiction exploration into what happens if one day white supremacy was erased from the planet, all at once.
It was SO engaging and the characters were interesting and rich - my only criticism is that the ending felt rushed for as delicate and cohesive everything else flowed together. I wanted more from the reactions of the big reveal and it felt like we moved through that moment for each POV incredibly quickly compared to the earlier character realizations.
But seriously such a great book, i loved it so much.
I was absolutely hooked by this book by the beginning and all I wanted to do was read it. Told in multiple perspectives between a father and his estranged daughter, this is a science fiction exploration into what happens if one day white supremacy was erased from the planet, all at once.
It was SO engaging and the characters were interesting and rich - my only criticism is that the ending felt rushed for as delicate and cohesive everything else flowed together. I wanted more from the reactions of the big reveal and it felt like we moved through that moment for each POV incredibly quickly compared to the earlier character realizations.
But seriously such a great book, i loved it so much.
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
this was so much more plot than what i typically expect of ruby dixon and i was delighted by it.
this book really leans into some of it’s campy tropes and doesn’t shy away from cliche, but that’s also what made it charming.
this was a fun and whimsical read, spicy when it needed to be, and set up an interesting concept should she choose to continue the series!
this book really leans into some of it’s campy tropes and doesn’t shy away from cliche, but that’s also what made it charming.
this was a fun and whimsical read, spicy when it needed to be, and set up an interesting concept should she choose to continue the series!