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squids_can_read's reviews
697 reviews
Soul Jar: Thirty-One Fantastical Tales by Disabled Authors by Annie Carl
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A fantastic compilation of fantastical short stories.
The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ashoka was supposed to be full of magic and it used to be. But now the mines are running out and Ashoka's neighbor is threatening war. Can Vira and her family find the Ivory Key and save Ashoka?
First let me talk about the characters. These characters were amazing. We get the story told from each of the four siblings points of view and I think that is a great use of changing points of view. Each character is so rich and complex. I also think that the character interactions are really well crafted especially with the main characters being siblings. I definitely think that the characters were the best part of this book.
Now onto the plot. I think this book could have been a lot shorter. The introduction into the characters and the main action of the novel took over half of the book. The actual main action only took about a fourth of the book. That part was very reminiscent of Indiana Jones and National Treasure. It just seemed to go by way to quickly. I did like the twist at the end.
The setting was also really amazing, especially with talking about how different the different countries are.
Overall, a really interesting book. I can't wait to read the sequel.
First let me talk about the characters. These characters were amazing. We get the story told from each of the four siblings points of view and I think that is a great use of changing points of view. Each character is so rich and complex. I also think that the character interactions are really well crafted especially with the main characters being siblings. I definitely think that the characters were the best part of this book.
Now onto the plot. I think this book could have been a lot shorter. The introduction into the characters and the main action of the novel took over half of the book. The actual main action only took about a fourth of the book. That part was very reminiscent of Indiana Jones and National Treasure. It just seemed to go by way to quickly. I did like the twist at the end.
The setting was also really amazing, especially with talking about how different the different countries are.
Overall, a really interesting book. I can't wait to read the sequel.
Axiom's End by Lindsay Ellis
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
Another meteor has struck the earth. Will this be humanity's first contact or has that already happened? And what exactly is the government hiding from us?
This book is a strange concept overall. Let's start with the characters. There are only two main characters that we get anything about. That's not entirely true but a lot of the side characters are introduced but seem to be fairly without purpose. They seem to lack any or all motivations. Our main characters are extremely interesting but occasionally the main character will know things that I'm not sure how she knew. The male main character was interesting and slightly hard to understand but it makes sense in the context of the book.
Moving on to the setting/world-building. The main setting of this book is Earth. I thought each location was explained extremely well. As for the alien planet, I'm divided. I thought some of the world-building was really interesting but I think a lot of the world-building focused on the caste system rather than actual information about how the species worked. We get descriptions about what the aliens look like but other than that we don't get much of a description about the aliens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It really hit the sci-fi spot for me.
This book is a strange concept overall. Let's start with the characters. There are only two main characters that we get anything about. That's not entirely true but a lot of the side characters are introduced but seem to be fairly without purpose. They seem to lack any or all motivations. Our main characters are extremely interesting but occasionally the main character will know things that I'm not sure how she knew. The male main character was interesting and slightly hard to understand but it makes sense in the context of the book.
Moving on to the setting/world-building. The main setting of this book is Earth. I thought each location was explained extremely well. As for the alien planet, I'm divided. I thought some of the world-building was really interesting but I think a lot of the world-building focused on the caste system rather than actual information about how the species worked. We get descriptions about what the aliens look like but other than that we don't get much of a description about the aliens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It really hit the sci-fi spot for me.
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
The Waverley's have always been a little strange. They know things that they have no way of knowing and they can do things that other people can't do. Claire and Sydney are just two in a long line of Waverley's and they are trying to find their happy ending.
I thought that this story was really interesting. The characters were amazingly written. The depth was amazing and the conflicts were super interesting. I did think that the book was too short for the development of all the characters, however. There were too many characters that all developed in some distinct way for how long the book was. I still thought the book was really good but I thought some of the characters changed too fast for how stuck in their ways they seemed.
The fantasy element was really interesting and added some depth to the characters.
Overall, a really fun fantasy book with really interesting discussions about loneliness, abandonment, abuse, family, and marital issues.
I thought that this story was really interesting. The characters were amazingly written. The depth was amazing and the conflicts were super interesting. I did think that the book was too short for the development of all the characters, however. There were too many characters that all developed in some distinct way for how long the book was. I still thought the book was really good but I thought some of the characters changed too fast for how stuck in their ways they seemed.
The fantasy element was really interesting and added some depth to the characters.
Overall, a really fun fantasy book with really interesting discussions about loneliness, abandonment, abuse, family, and marital issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
The Starless Crown by James Rollins
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
The only hospitable part of Urth is the Crown, a slim section of land where all life on Urth lives. But now that life is being threatened by Moonfall. A cast of strange and unique characters have to work to find a way to save Urth but there are forces working against them everywhere.
The world-building in this book is amazing. The world is expansive and well thought through. The history is interesting and so is the religion. I will say that I am a little confused about how the Crown works but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
However, I think this book was lacking in the character department in a strange way. I thought that there were too many characters that we got points of view from. If they were just mentioned I think it would have been better because it would have been easier to keep track of them all. With all of the different characters, I felt that it was really hard to understand any of the characters' motivations. It was hard for me to connect with any of them.
Overall, this was an extremely interesting fantasy and I'm excited to read more in this world.
The world-building in this book is amazing. The world is expansive and well thought through. The history is interesting and so is the religion. I will say that I am a little confused about how the Crown works but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
However, I think this book was lacking in the character department in a strange way. I thought that there were too many characters that we got points of view from. If they were just mentioned I think it would have been better because it would have been easier to keep track of them all. With all of the different characters, I felt that it was really hard to understand any of the characters' motivations. It was hard for me to connect with any of them.
Overall, this was an extremely interesting fantasy and I'm excited to read more in this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War
Moderate: Incest
Falling Dark by Christine Pope
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Serena had an accident. One that not only had physical repercussions but also mental ones. Serena now has visions that she can't control. Visions that catch the attention of two opposing mythical groups.
I have never gone from enjoying a book to absolutely hating it so quickly. This book starts out with Serena meeting Silas(her bodyguard) after an attack and learning that there are vampires after her. While the two of them are figuring out their dynamic its really interesting. And then they figure it out and it goes downhill fast.
At the beginning, Serena was struggling with understanding what was going on and coming to terms with the new world around her. But once she gets with Silas she just doesn't seem to care anymore. It's like her character just changes. Silas's character doesn't but that's more because his character is all about protecting Serena. So the characters in the book are really subpar.
As for the actual story, there wasn't much to it. The vampires want Serena for her visions but it is never established as to why. Also, we get lots of lore about Silas's people that seems completely unnecessary. I did really enjoy the ending of the book but I don't think I'll read the rest of the series.
I have never gone from enjoying a book to absolutely hating it so quickly. This book starts out with Serena meeting Silas(her bodyguard) after an attack and learning that there are vampires after her. While the two of them are figuring out their dynamic its really interesting. And then they figure it out and it goes downhill fast.
At the beginning, Serena was struggling with understanding what was going on and coming to terms with the new world around her. But once she gets with Silas she just doesn't seem to care anymore. It's like her character just changes. Silas's character doesn't but that's more because his character is all about protecting Serena. So the characters in the book are really subpar.
As for the actual story, there wasn't much to it. The vampires want Serena for her visions but it is never established as to why. Also, we get lots of lore about Silas's people that seems completely unnecessary. I did really enjoy the ending of the book but I don't think I'll read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Emergence: Dave vs. the Monsters by John Birmingham
dark
funny
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? Yes
2.5
An oil rig's plans to go beyond the limits of its drill has massive consequences. Now the world is being overwhelmed with monsters that have emerged from below the Earth's crust. It is up to one man to save the earth.
Or at least that's what the book is supposed to be about. Instead, this book is about a man who is excessively horny for seemingly no reason and somehow has to save the world. He now knows everything about the monsters and he's going to save the earth if he can get himself under control. Also halfway through the perspective starts changing for no reason.
Overall, this book was really disappointing and the characters were lackluster. It was a funny time though.
Or at least that's what the book is supposed to be about. Instead, this book is about a man who is excessively horny for seemingly no reason and somehow has to save the world. He now knows everything about the monsters and he's going to save the earth if he can get himself under control. Also halfway through the perspective starts changing for no reason.
Overall, this book was really disappointing and the characters were lackluster. It was a funny time though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Next by Michael Crichton
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Has gene research gone too far? Is it ethical to patent part of the human genome? Is slavery coming back in terms of gene lines? All this and more are discussed in this science fiction novel.
The first half of this book is extremely confusing. This is because of the amount of characters that are in this book. The scientific concepts are extremely interesting and I can see a lot of the issues discussed in this book happening today. Eventually, everyone's stories come together and everything starts to make sense. But overall none of the characters are particularly interesting. The discussion of science is really the strong point in this book.
The first half of this book is extremely confusing. This is because of the amount of characters that are in this book. The scientific concepts are extremely interesting and I can see a lot of the issues discussed in this book happening today. Eventually, everyone's stories come together and everything starts to make sense. But overall none of the characters are particularly interesting. The discussion of science is really the strong point in this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A princess who loves soup, a mouse who loves a princess, a rat who loves the light, and a servant who wants to be a princess.
This book was so strange that I loved it. The discussions of family and grief were really interesting. I did listen to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed it.
Overall, super glad that I finally read this book.
This book was so strange that I loved it. The discussions of family and grief were really interesting. I did listen to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed it.
Overall, super glad that I finally read this book.