thegr8estangell's reviews
575 reviews

Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes

adventurous 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? Yes

3.75

This was pretty good. The romance was really annoying but the actual scifi stuff was solid. I thought the world was interesting but way too idealistic. It didn’t feel like an organically grown society. I really enjoyed the plot, the MC, and the action scenes. It had a very steady pace. I think the cover is hideous though. 

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis

informative reflective fast-paced

4.75

I would love to listen to an updated version of this book. This one came out in 2016, so I hope in 2 years another edition comes out with 10 more years of her essays/speeches. While I don’t fully grasp all the concepts in this book, it gave me a lot of insight and challenged many preconceived notions. It gave me a lot of things to think about and ruminate on. 

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

dark sad 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

5.0

God damn this was good. It was so complex and compelling. It absolutely sucked me in from page one and didn’t let go. I loved it. Butler has never disappointed me with any of her work. 

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

reflective slow-paced

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

2.75

This book is 100% ideas, vibes, and banger quotes. There isn’t a single shred of plot though. Nothing actually happens in this book. Cool ideas though. Shockingly sexist at some points. Well not entirely bc it was from 1955, but still. Lots of boobs. 

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.0

This was a good book. It my favorite kind of book but it’s a good book nonetheless 

Bloom by Kevin Panetta

reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

Eh. The characters were to caricature-y and felt forced into their personalities instead of it feeling organic. 

My Brother's Husband: Volume 1 by Gengoroh Tagame

hopeful 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

4.5

Ah it’s so cute

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie

adventurous 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

4.5

This book was very unique. I really enjoyed it. Books about gods like this really are very interesting to me. It felt like mixing Shigidi and the Ancillary books. Which both I liked :) 

This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves

inspiring 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

4.5

The author sent me this book in exchange for a review. With that being said, I loved it. It was amazing. I loved the characters. I loved the Frank and Honest discussions on sex, sexuality, fluidity, and self. It was excellent. 

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.5

This one was great. I loved it. wtf. Still too much ritual nudity. Too much boobily boobed with her breastily breasts for my taste. But plot wise? Solid. Even tho HE CUT PERRIN OUT ENTIRELY. how the hell you write out one of the main characters from a 900pg novel?