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thattheatrekid's reviews
104 reviews
The Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death by Lee Strobel
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
An amazing eye opening book that really strengthened my faith. However, regardless of your religion (or lack thereof) I highly recommend this book if you enjoy thought provoking external perspectives - especially if the idea of an afterlife fascinates you.
For me personally this book answered my questions about heaven and really solidified my faith in the areas I was doubting. It was also quite engaging with many illustrations and stories. Im certain God chose this book for me at a store and I am so grateful I listened to the urge to get it.
For me personally this book answered my questions about heaven and really solidified my faith in the areas I was doubting. It was also quite engaging with many illustrations and stories. Im certain God chose this book for me at a store and I am so grateful I listened to the urge to get it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Terminal illness
Pure by Julianna Baggott
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Overall very rushed, and the author’s writing style was rather elementary. It felt like a YA plot at a sixth grader writing level.
A lot of violence was unnecessarily graphic and there was a lot of info dumping/exposition. The world building and imagery also weren’t too clear. I really wish the author hadn’t used present tense with third person though; it ticked me off and I don’t even know why.
But the plot was good and very interesting, and the drama kept me turning the pages. I just think the author rushed the writing too much.
A lot of violence was unnecessarily graphic and there was a lot of info dumping/exposition. The world building and imagery also weren’t too clear. I really wish the author hadn’t used present tense with third person though; it ticked me off and I don’t even know why.
But the plot was good and very interesting, and the drama kept me turning the pages. I just think the author rushed the writing too much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Murder, Violence, Torture, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Child death, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicide, Mental illness, and Cursing
Minor: Rape and Terminal illness
Plague Land by Alex Scarrow
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I didn’t like it. Terrible writing and the author clearly struggles with writing characters and dialogue. Unnecessarily gory. Could have had more potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death, Self harm, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
The Wordsmith by Patricia Forde
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Pros:
Fascinating theme to ponder, tense parts were actually tense, strong protagonist
Cons:
Hard to follow the way the world works especially at the beginning, leaves you with a lot of questions, not a satisfying ending, no lovable or deep characters aside from Letta, “emotional” parts weren’t that emotional, several plot holes
Fascinating theme to ponder, tense parts were actually tense, strong protagonist
Cons:
Hard to follow the way the world works especially at the beginning, leaves you with a lot of questions, not a satisfying ending, no lovable or deep characters aside from Letta, “emotional” parts weren’t that emotional, several plot holes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Gun violence, Abortion, and Pregnancy
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
All I can say is, wow.
The good:
This book is extremely thought provoking on the matter of fate and death. I loved the questions it very subtly raised. The characters were both relatable and showed two different ways you might react emotionally and physically if you knew you would die in the next 24 hours. There was a tension throughout the book that was very unique because you already know the way it will end, but as the pages go by you’re more and more tensed for the inevitable ending.
The bad:
I thought the switching between all kinds of characters and past and present tense and 1st and 3rd point of view was confusing and distracting. I would have much preferred if it had stayed between Mateo and Rufus; I feel like the author got sidetracked and tried to make everything intertwined and it really just lost me. The way Matias died was kind of rushed and lame in my opinion because so much time was spent building up to it. Rufus’ death was genius though and took me a second to register.
The other thing I thought was kind of rushed and hard to believe was Rufus and Matias’ romance. It kind of came out of nowhere mid book and felt like a romance for the sake of a romance. I think it would have hit harder if it was obvious they liked each other but they never got to the point of kissing or saying it. It would really have captured regrets and how we don’t always finish business before death.
But! Overall really loved it and if you’re an insane literature analyzer like me it’s a good read.
The good:
This book is extremely thought provoking on the matter of fate and death. I loved the questions it very subtly raised. The characters were both relatable and showed two different ways you might react emotionally and physically if you knew you would die in the next 24 hours. There was a tension throughout the book that was very unique because you already know the way it will end, but as the pages go by you’re more and more tensed for the inevitable ending.
The bad:
I thought the switching between all kinds of characters and past and present tense and 1st and 3rd point of view was confusing and distracting. I would have much preferred if it had stayed between Mateo and Rufus; I feel like the author got sidetracked and tried to make everything intertwined and it really just lost me. The way Matias died was kind of rushed and lame in my opinion because so much time was spent building up to it. Rufus’ death was genius though and took me a second to register.
But! Overall really loved it and if you’re an insane literature analyzer like me it’s a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Cursing, Terminal illness, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Abortion and Car accident
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Loved this book! I still don’t feel sympathy for Snow; he’s still a sleazeball; but I do understand why he is how he is. His fundamental view of the world is just wrong which caused him to become the monster he was. A great read (did it in 1 night!) and I liked the glimpse of Capitol’s past and the early version of the Hunger Games. The plot moved well. However, sometimes the direction Snow went with some decisions or outlooks just didn’t make sense with the rest of the context. It felt more like Susanne was trying to get him to the spot of a believable villain than to weave a story where the progression to get there was natural. But! Overall loved it and would definitely read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Torture, Child death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Cannibalism
Minor: Vomit, Police brutality, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and War
Animal Farm by George Orwell
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1984 by George Orwell
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
A literary masterpiece and probably my favorite book. I adore dystopias but this one especially hits hard, particularly today. I recommend this to everyone. It’s a bit challenging for some, but I encourage you to read it because once you do you won’t be able to shake off the parallels around you in the real world today.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel by Val Emmich
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I adore this musical above all others and this book did not disappoint! Heavy swearing but there were some extra scenes not seen in the musical that really added to the story. It’s told in a conversational manner and you don’t even realize how fast you’re turning the pages until it’s done. This plot and these characters will always have my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Death, Suicide, and Child death
Minor: Drug use