spacerkip's reviews
276 reviews

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

I've been getting back into science fiction recently, but most of it has been some flavor of fast-paced, high-stakes, and combat-heavy. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet takes a step down and focuses on the daily life of very normal people aboard a very normal space ship. I found the characters vibrant and lovable, and the many small story lines kept me engaged the entire time. Normally the slice-of-life style doesn't grip me, but the meandering pace gave the novel room to explore the extensive world-building of alien species and cultures. I really enjoyed how each chapter gave a spotlight on the different characters and the world they grew up in, and how that informed their relationships and worldviews. There's even a couple of classic scifi ethical dilemmas that pop up. Some might have trouble with the constant pov changes, but I thought that it gave the novel a sort of serialized feel, like the long-running tv shows of the 90's/early 00's era. Would recommend to anyone who loves Star Trek bottle episodes.

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

dark reflective tense fast-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

4.5

The very stylized art threw me off of how dark this actually, but that's what I get for not reading the back more carefully. I loved it. I thought it was very clever, and the last half especially was very captivating.  High school settings aren't normally my jam, so it took me a bit to get into it, but I'd definitely recommend to anyone who has a quiet evening and wants a spooky graphic novel.

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures by ND Stevenson

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Did I cry? Maybe so.

I've been following ND Stevenson's work since the Nimona days (though I haven't watched or read everything he's worked on), and it's been such a joy to see him succeed, grow, and evolve. Although Stevenso 's journey is unique, I think a lot of writers and artists will find something familiar in this memoir. The words and the artwork are incredibly earnest - sometimes painfully so. I appreciate the wisdom he shares about resiliency and creative strength, and the dangers of romanticising youth and self-destruction. There was a gentle tenderness toward his younger self that was really catha tic to read. This is a short read, but it's an afternoon well-spent.

Now I've got to actually watch She-Ra.

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.

I picked this up on the recommendation of a friend. Within the first few chapters however, it became evident this was a book about white guilt and using Black pain to make white women feel better about themselves. It did not pass the sniff test, so it was returned to the library. After reading other reviews and hearing about the rest of the book, it seems I made the right call. Then I discovered it was a Christian romance written by the same author who'd written a love story between a slave owner's daughter and an overseer, so. Hard pass.

Sex Criminals Vol. 1 by Matt Fraction

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence

reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

Interesting from a historical perspective, but I can't say I enjoyed it.

Peter Panzerfaust Volume 1: The Great Escape by Kurtis J. Wiebe

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

1.0

This was...not great. The art was painful to look at, and just got worse the longer I stared at it. Perhaps the WW2 Peter Pan retelling may have been more impactful if the teenage characters actually looked like children. Instead, they're drawn with the same bad-anatomy grimace-faces and pasted-on hairstyles as the adults, and the only reason you can tell them apart from the soldiers is because they wear civilian clothes.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, and War

Walk Among Us by Cassandra Khaw, Genevieve Gornichec, Caitlin Starling

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

3.75

Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

dark emotional slow-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

2.5

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.

Fascinating world building and vivid descriptions, but it turns out I'm not a huge fan of detective stories. Would definitely recommend to someone who is, though!