sspaghettiboness's reviews
128 reviews

Azincourt by Bernard Cornwell

adventurous challenging dark informative sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart

adventurous emotional tense 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? It's complicated

3.0

The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World by Max Fisher

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Maybe the most significant novel I have ever read. I’m not usually a non-fiction fan, or overly concerned with social media, and this book has caused me to have  conversations with everyone I know about social media and how they are being manipulated. I’m so excited to continue exploring the subject and understanding the impacts on the human experience. 

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

adventurous reflective sad 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

4.0

Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.

This book is so good, I love these kinds of procedural novels. I read Six Four and this reminded me of what it’s like to get the perspective of all the journalists in that novel. 

Why not finish if I’m halfway through? Because this book does not mix well with 🪴 and the munchies. But. Iconic feminist literature, I want so badly to finish but I’ve genuinely gained 5lbs. Which is a testament to the writing. 

The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

adventurous emotional inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Mystery Lights by Lena Valencia

dark reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

Trogloxene was the star of this collection and I would give anything to read a full book from that story. But even with that short, I had the same issue over and over: the meanings behind the stories are either too obvious to too vague. It’s like the work lacks a taste for subtlety. I love feminist literature, but this writing seemed forced and frilly too often. The magical realism that drifted towards sci-fi and horror was good, but not good enough.

I think as individual stories, they pack a big punch. When they’re all lined up beside of each other, you’re left scratching your head at what the hell just happened. But. Trogloxene was brilliant, gave very  Crimson Labyrinth energy.

Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang

emotional reflective medium-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

4.75

The only thing that kept me from a full 5 star review is that there were a fair share of sections that seemed like frilly rambling. Which I don’t dislike, but it slowed the pacing considerably. 

I’ve read a lot of books from the perspective of parents, and never once been truly thrusted into the heart and soul of a parent in this way. Even Nightbitch pales in comparison. It made me think so much about my Mum and how she feels about me. Truly beautiful. 

Essex Dogs by Dan Jones

challenging dark sad tense 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? No

5.0