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readingthebacklist's reviews
323 reviews
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Feel-good, relaxing, cozy fantasy
Hecho en Saturno by Rita Indiana
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hecho en Saturno reminded me of Radicales Libres by Rosa Beltran in that radical leaders/ideology is demystified. As with Rita Indiana’s Tentacle, art is an important aspect of the story. Goya’s Saturn Devouring his Son is referenced often as is the adage made famous by the French Revolution, like Saturn, the revolution devours its children. The former revolutionaries, have shed the ideology now that they stand to benefit from their place in the political hierarchy.
I liked the concept of a recovering heroin addict serving as conduit between the story and the reader, his disillusionment and pliant manner lend a fragmented and dreamy quality to the narrative. Argenis, though often unlikeable and shiftless, also aroused sympathy in me. For me this novel felt more accessible than the author’s previous novel, Tentacle.
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Sweet historical romance—the equivalent of a rom-com. Loved all the scenes with the “walllflowers”!
Sweethand by N.G. Peltier
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Boring. Story dragged. MC rude to love interest. Love interest needed more backbone. Would have liked to see more interaction between the sisters. No island vives.
Liked the roommate / MC’s relationship.
Liked the roommate / MC’s relationship.
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Liked the collection—strong sense of place, community, burden of expectation, generational trauma…, but told with compassion, levity and humor.
Beware That Girl by Teresa Toten
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0