sphynxreads's reviews
772 reviews

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

An incredible essay collection! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned from this and how much my worldview was challenged. I loved how diverse the stories were and how intersectionality was frequently highlighted. Very informative, thoughtful, and triumphant.

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

This is my first Marie Lu book and I have to say, what an introduction to her work! This story was so whimsical, somber, hopeful, and with just the right touch of darkness that I was captivated right from the start. The pacing felt slow at times but never unsteady. The worldbuilding had such a dreamlike quality to it that reminded me of V.E. Schwab's Addie LaRue. Lu's writing is straightforward but gorgeous, and I am eager to read more from her. Historical low fantasy at its finest.

Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory: Stories by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

Huh? More misses than hits.

Hamilton: The Revolution by Jeremy McCarter, Lin-Manuel Miranda

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

This was a phenomenal read! I loved learning about the grueling journey of creating the musical and the individuals who made the show the legend that it is. There's so much passion, joy, and hope that went into the creative process that I appreciate more deeply why Hamilton has resonated with so many. A must-read even for casual fans like me!

Spy x Family, Vol. 12 by Tatsuya Endo

funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

One of my favorite installments!! The story has expanded so much from where it was in the beginning and yet everything is easy to follow and remember. Always a fun ride!

The Book of Bill by Alex Hirsch

dark 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

I'm a huge Gravity Falls fan, but this book just managed to be equal parts disturbing and dull. I found myself much more intrigued by the missing journal pages. I guess while Bill Cipher made for a good villain in the series, I just don't find him to be a compelling character.

Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat

hopeful 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

4.5

I'm back, all feral for these boys and the palpable tension between all of them honestly.

The Color of Revenge by Cornelia Funke

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

A solid entry into the Inkworld series! This feels quite different from the original trilogy in that it doesn't have Cornelia Funke's lyrical prose and the Inkworld feels a lot less dark. But I liked how this wasn't as politically driven as Inkspell and Inkdeath and focused more on the wonder, whimsy, and magic of the world. The new characters were such a delight to read about! I had my doubts going into a story centered on Orpheus, as his character is endlessly annoying in the original trilogy. But I was invested in the story as I got to know more about Dustfinger and Nyame, the Black Prince. Definitely worth the read for fans of the trilogy.

Ang Kapangyarihang Higit sa Ating Lahat by Ronaldo S. Vivo Jr.

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Aggressive in its honesty and brutal in its storytelling, Kapangyarihan is my first Ronaldo Vivo Jr. novel. And what an introduction this is to his work! Admittedly I struggled a bit with the language, but from what I was able to absorb, I was gripped by his casual yet intentional use of imagery and common Filipino idioms and expressions to convey the dark reality of police brutality even way before the war on drugs entered Filipino vocabulary in the mainstream. I especially liked his endnote where he details the importance of give the voiceless a medium through which to tell their stories. A stark reminder that many of our country's problems have deep roots in its flawed systems and corrupt institutions.

Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

An intriguing start to the series! Interesting character and beautiful art as well.