sixcrowsbooks's reviews
237 reviews

Knucklehead by Tony Keith Jr.

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

CAWPILE score: N/A

I really loved this collection of poems. I don’t read much poetry, so I don’t feel as confident to review this collection, but I found all of them interesting, though some did seem to lag at some points. Overall, though, I’m very glad I picked this up at my library.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

CAWPILE score: 9.14

This fucking novella, man. Didn’t know a story about a monk and a robot was going to make me cry, but here we are. I loved the ambiance and flow of this story: it was meandering, but it also showed Dex’s increasing dissatisfaction with their life. The conversation they have with Mosscap near the end about purpose and meaning had me crying in the car. I think it was something I needed to hear without realizing. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2, and I’m definitely adding this book/series to my wishlist to own.

French Braid by Anne Tyler

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

CAWPILE score: 9.0

I did not think I was going to like this as much as I did, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the aspect of looking at the history of the Garrett family through the lens of the different family members at different points in time. It not only adds depth, but you get to add layers to characters you previously thought for shallow when that was because it was from a child’s POV. I don’t think I have a favorite perspective/family member, but I found that Mercy’s chapter added lots to her character, and I liked how everything wrapped up with David since he was always seen as the curmudgeon outsider in the family. This really makes me want to dive into the author’s other works.

Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho

emotional funny reflective 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

4.0

CAWPILE score: 7.43

I loved the structure of this short story collection! It felt like we were truly just seeing snapshots of Fiona and Jane’s lives, but still able to figure everything and identify how they’ve changed over the years. Seeing their friendship wax and wane was also interesting, and I think it shows how friendships develop over a lifetime. I’d probably want to read the physical book in the future since I read it this first time via audiobook. Makes me want to check what else (if anything) the author has available!

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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

CAWPILE score: 9.14

An amazing book on identity, family, generational trauma, and more. I truly loved this book, its characters, and the story it was telling. 10/10, would read again.

Revelator by Daryl Gregory

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

5.0

CAWPILE score: 9.29

Wow. Wow wow wow. What a phenomenal book. I’m learning that dual timelines in books is definitely my thing, especially as it pertains to the same character. Seeing Stella grow and change between when she was younger to present-day was wonderful, even when I knew what was coming. And that ending? Goddamn, it was something. Basically the last quarter of the book was non-stop, but I loved how character-focused the rest of it was. 10/10, I want to buy a physical copy so I can annotate it.

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

CAWPILE score: 7.85

What a wonderful coming-of-age story that focuses on sexual health, mental health, and the lessons learned through a hard, difficult period. I thought the author balanced sincerity, hilarity,  and gravity well throughout the story, and I was rooting for Queenie the entire time, especially during her self-destruction. Very well-written and makes me want to try out the author’s other works, if they have any.

The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

CAWPILE score: 4.86

A strong first half, but daaaamn that ending just did not stop. There are twists, and there’s whole ass-twisters — at the end, I was wondering when they were all going to stop. I also didn’t find any of the characters particularly exciting or memorable.

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

CAWPILE score: 7.85

A reread of a childhood favorite! I knew the writing wasn’t the best, but it was still a very fun read. Hope to reread the rest of the series, too!

A Man and His Cat, Volume 1 by Umi Sakurai

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-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

5.0

CAWPILE score: N/A

What an adorable manga about a man who adopts a cat. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!