shetef's reviews
105 reviews

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

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challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Do you like murder mysteries?

Do you also like extended dialogues on Christian theology and semiotics?

Do I have a book for you
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The Accomplice by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson

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

3.0

I don't think I've read a lot of books that simultaneously make my eyes roll back into my head while also demanding my attention. This is not a very good book:
  • the dialogue feels inauthentic
  • the characters are flat
  • the plot, while serviceable, has some elements that make me struggle to suspend disbelief

but at the same time, I can't pretend I didn't have fun with parts of this. Wouldn't recommend this to most people and I probably won't read any future sequels but it might be fun for a (however unintentional) laugh.
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James by Percival Everett

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adventurous 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

5.0

I hope this is assigned in schools in addition to Huck Finn someday. Truly a masterpiece.
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Redneck Volume 1: Deep in the Heart by Donny Cates

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dark emotional 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

5.0

Very cool premise helped out a lot by Estherren's art. The Bowman vampires feel deeply human in their hurt and generational pain. Excited to pick up the next volume. 🧛
The Rose of Versailles Volume 1 by Riyoko Ikeda

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emotional tense slow-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

4.25

This is a classic of shōjo and I can see why. Ikeda has a real talent for drama. There's some interesting queerness here too though I'm not sure how much is intentional. Minor nitpick: I love the art but a lot of these women end up looking very similar.
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

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adventurous funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Enjoying this series a lot so far. This didn't grab me quite as much as All Systems Red but I'm still on the Murderbot train.
Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks

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adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I didn't enjoy this quite as much as Consider Phlebas or The Player of Games but I admire Banks' ambition. The two narratives moving in opposite chronological directions is a very effective way to reveal who and why Zakalwe is the man he is. 
Sweden and Visions of Norway: Politics and Culture 1814-1905 by H. Arnold Barton

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

An interesting study of a time period I've had remarkable difficulty finding books about in English. The Norway my great-great-great-grandfather left behind was a vibrant and fascinating place. Not my favorite book I've read this year (a bit dry) but very helpful in pointing me in new directions while I look deeper into this part of my family history.
Cybernetic Revolutionaries: Technology and Politics in Allende's Chile by Eden Medina

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Due date came around and I just have too much stuff to read. Good book, fascinating topic but a bit too dense for my bandwidth right now.
Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America by Talia Lavin

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dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

A worthy successor to Culture Warlords. Talia Lavin's writing is consistently striking and effective. A hard read but a necessary read.
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