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strawhat_kd's reviews
53 reviews
Jade City by Fonda Lee
adventurous
slow-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
4.5
This was a slow burn intro to the Green Bone Saga. Here we're introduced to the Kual siblings: Lan, Hilo, Shae and their adopted cousin, Anden. They are the new generation of clan leaders (except for Anden who's still in training) of the Kaul clan. The Kaul clan is 1 of 2 major clans that control jade, a natural resource in the country that bestows individuals power. This book is all about the tension between the two clans and the impeding war. I think we are going to get a major jump in action in Jade War, because the way that this ended, a storm is on the horizon.
Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This was a great read. Two women with tragic pasts meet and eventually agree to kill the men responsible for tragic events in their lives in a little qui pro quo. Things take a turn and when it does this already tense book ramps up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Murder, and Suicide
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
This is an excellent look at the prison system and consumerism wrapped in an entertaining package. Prisoners can choose to enter a controversial contest that pits them against other prisoners in a fight to the death for a chance a freedom. They have to last 3 years on the circuit and it's all televised to cheering fans and sponsors.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found this book to be OK. From the description of the book, I was expecting Dracula to be bigger monster (pun intended). To me he just seemed to be a narcissist and a nymphomaniac. The problems he has with his brides and groom mainly come down to communications and wants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Sexual content
Moderate: Gore
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Loved this. While I found the story was great, it did seem to drag out towards the end. I also didn't like the villain. Their intro was great, but they didn't remain a strong villain throughout. I'm looking forward to continuing this series once the next book comes out.
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another short story in the Dead Djinn Universe. A tram is being haunted and two Ministry agents have to excorcise it before the women of Cairo are endangered.
The Angel of Khan el-Khalili by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Another short story in the Dead Djinn series, this one follows a young girl as she seeks the mysterious angel of Khan el-Khalili.
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
A short adventure and a great introduction to Fatma el-Sha'arawi before reading A Master of Djinn.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Abby Jimenez has written another excellent rom-com. An ugly dog, a giant billboard and a curse lead to Justin and Emma meeting via Reddit. Emma and Justin have similar curses where the people they date, end up meeting and marrying the loves of their loves shortl after the breakup. They soon become friends and decide to date each other for a short while to end their respective curses. It soon leads to a lot more as feelings develop amidst the chaos in their personal lives.
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
First book I've read from S.A. Crosby and it did not disappoint. It gives you a couple of pages of backstory and then it jumps right into the action. It's a dark tense ride as Sherriff Titus Crown hunts down a serial killer. The person he is hunting could be anyone he knows as tensions are high in a small town plagued by racism and he's the town's first elected Black Sheriff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Pedophilia, Gore, Racism, and Murder