rainbowofcrazy's reviews
311 reviews

John Dies at the End by David Wong

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-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

3.0

This was just the wildest fuckin ride, yo. I don’t even know how to begin with this book. I did love the characters. Let’s be real: Dave and John were the ultimate in BFFs. Their relationship, their banter and jokes, they were pure gold together.

This was just a strange blend of weird shit. There’s graphic horror, fantasy/science fiction, dark comedy. I don’t even know if I’m capable of talking about the plot. Would you say there’s a plot? So much shit happened in this book that again, I don’t know if I can tell you what the plot was. I (kinda) say this with love: it’s a big clusterfuck of a story that is practically nonsensical.

I enjoyed the humour, but this totally screamed.. white boy energy.. to the max. It was immature white boys being immature white boys. Making dick jokes, constantly throwing the R word around, being obsessed with breasts and sex. And then smash in a whole clusterfuck of.. *waves hand around* crazy chaos that just didn’t seem to want to end, and you have this book.

No stars for plot. A couple stars for a (mostly) amusing time and making me laugh out loud and cringe. 

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

dark emotional funny sad tense 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

4.0

I loved continuing this dark, sexy world with the Kane family. Leather & Lark is a fun, hilarious, very dark, and very spicy read. It blended ‘enemies to lovers’ AND ‘love at first sight’ tropes (along with other fun tropes) and they all managed to work so well together that I was totally here for it. I loved how flawed and interesting the characters were. Lark and Lachlan both have dark histories, both are killers, and their chemistry was fire. And just like the first book I absolutely loved the humour in this one. I laughed out loud through the whole read. Batman vs Blunder Barbie had me in stitches, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at even the more graphic icky scenes.

I also loved that this book had a different flavour than the first one. (Yeah, yeah, like ice cream vs pizza. If you know, you know.) I would say that the plot wasn’t quite as engaging as the first one for me, but IMO the first book was so out there, that it’s a hard one to top. The villain chapters also really lost me along the way. But that’s okay, because all that spice made it oh so nice.

I love audiobooks and this series is a total must as audiobooks. Duet narrations are my most favourite thing ever, and Eric Nolan and Samantha Brentmoor are fantastic together. The emotions, the growls, and the surprising and amazing singing! Good lawd these are some talented narrators, and I was so ecstatic that they narrated Scythe & Sparrow as well. 

Also extra love for that spicy epilogue. Yowza 😏 

Neopets: The Omelette Faerie: Volume 1 by Rebecca Mix

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

3.5

Talk about a nostalgia trip! The artwork had lovely Neopets flair, though I didn’t care for the font choices as it just didn’t fit with the style of everything else. There were a few moments where the art seemed a little weird, and action shots are rather.. bland. The writing isn’t going to blow your mind or anything but overall it was still a super cute story with a surprising touch of LGBT representation. Neopets, you kinda blew my mind with that. Kudos! 

A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

 This book was simply amazing.

“After all, what is endurance to a people that have already endured?”

 

This was my first time reading anything by Hanif Abdurraqib, and it certainly won’t be my last. I absolutely LOVED this book. It is an experience and I devoured it. I was so engaged with the beautiful, honest writing, while learning so much about black performers through the years, about race and black culture and American culture.

I loved Hanif Abdurraqib’s insights and what each figure personally meant to him. One of my favourite parts of this book was actually all of the personal stories because they were just beautiful and real and sad and poignant. This felt like such an intimate book and I’m grateful to have experienced it.

The writing is beautiful enough already, but I highly highly recommend getting a hold of the audiobook because JD Jackson’s narration was perfection. It truly felt like a performance piece, especially the narration of the different poems for each of the movements through the book. I kept going back to relisten to the poems because they were so beautiful to my ears and my soul.

This was definitely a book to savour. I’m excited to experience more. 

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 4 by Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

5.0

The lovely journey continues!! I adore this series so much and this volume has an abundance of memorable moments, like Fern’s birthday, the ring. and Fern getting sick. I always love the charming wordless slice-of-life panels and they were extra delightful here with Frieren visiting Old Man Voll; you can see how happy Frieren looks in those shots. SO CUTE. 

Junior High by Tegan Quin, Sara Quin

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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’m a big fan of Tegan and Sara and Junior High is super cute. I admit I struggled a bit here because it aims quite young (obviously) and I am a fossil in comparison. The first half focuses more on general tween issues like puberty and just growing up. So if you’re here just for Tegan and Sara vibes, you may not find it immediately. BUT if you stick it through, it all starts to come together once (spoiler nah not really) the guitar appears. (If you’re a fan, you may know how it all changed with the guitar!) That was when it started to pull me in and I was sold. 

I love the artwork. It’s super cute and super charming. I also love how they gave their story a modern twist. Young Tegan and Sara now have cell phones and social media and YouTube! It’s fun to see them grow up with present day technology. What a smart way to connect more with today’s kids. Great graphic novel for middle schoolers. I’m looking forward to the next one! 

Time to Party by Molly Knox Ostertag

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-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

4.5

This series is aimed at a younger audience but all ages would enjoy this. I’ve never even played D&D and I love this series. I love how this game has brought together this unique group of kids. They’re just trying to navigate life and figure out who they are, while getting together to have some fun and adventure. Watching them grow and learn and connect with each other has been a delight. I’m becoming a big fan of Molly Knox Ostertag and will happily read everything she works on. (Highly recommend The Witch Boy series too.) 

The Nameless Restaurant by Tao Wong, Emily Woo Zeller

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

This was such a charming novella. It takes place in a restaurant in Toronto that’s practically hidden away with no sign or any kind of advertising. I absolutely loved this blend of food and magic and myth, with a surprising sprinkle of modern day topics.

This hit all the cozy food vibes just right. This story will make you hungry. I was SO hungry every time any cooking was done or when food was served. Basically any time food was mentioned, I was salivating. I would say eat before you read this book, but I had already eaten and after this book, I had never wanted some curry laksa so much in my goddamn life.

I listened to the audiobook and Emily Woo Zeller does a fantastic job with the audiobook. I also ended up reading the ebook not long after (sometimes I’m not the best audiobook listener and reading the ebook was a good way to see if I missed anything, which I didddd.) I absolutely loved both versions though; you can’t go wrong with either (or both!).

I had fun but I was sad it was just a novella. I would have loved to learn more about these interesting characters in this book, and to have full novels in this world, even expanding outside of the restaurant, because there is so much potential for interesting stories here. But I’m looking forward to reading the sequel novella, and there’s a third coming out this year; so I’m extra excited for more. 

Canada by Mike Myers

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.75

This book is just bursting with Canadian goodness! There is a lot of Canadianisms (I have never even heard of a Scarborough Suitcase until now?!) and it can feel like a lot (this coming from a Canadian) but if you’re a Mike Myers fan and want to learn more about what it was like for him to grow up in Canada, this book is a fun learning experience. The title of the book don’t lie!

We also get to follow along with Mike as he tells us about how he got into the entertainment business. He talks about how he got involved with SNL and how Wayne’s World came to be, and how success changed his life. He’s a great storyteller and I really enjoyed learning more about him.

It’s also an interesting read since Mike made the move to the US and shared a lot of his views about how Canada and its identity had changed for him over the years. I’m not sure I agree with some of his thoughts, as this made it feel like Canada was best in the “good old days”. But it was nice to get his honest views, along with his positive outlooks and hopes for Canada’s future under Trudeau.

There were definitely some humorous moments, though I was hoping for more. There were also some points in the book that felt a little slow. But there was also heart and sadness and nostalgia and love for his home country. Mike Myers loves Canada, and Canada loves Mike Myers! 

Fairy Tail, Volume 7 by Hiro Mashima

adventurous emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Fairy Tail vs Phantom Lord showdown! So much happens with this volume. Loads of new characters and reveals! We learn more about Lucy’s history, as well as Mirajane and Elfman, which wow, put me RIGHT on that feel train. And then we have my precious Juvia stepping up. JUVIA VS GRAY?! SIGN ME UP! There was so much to love with this volume.