thegr8estangell's reviews
651 reviews

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Why was this book so good? Like it’s about a man justifying his horrific crimes. He’s terrible. That’s the point. It’s like watching a train wreck. And the train wreck is written by a master wordsmith. I’m just sitting here after and thinking… holy. Shit. That was wild. Super fucked up book. 

Translation State by Ann Leckie

mysterious 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

4.0

This world is so fun. I like world so much. This one was fun and interesting. Overall pretty good if a bit slow at first. 

The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

DNF at chapter 10. This book is like if you took everything that was good from The City of Brass, sucked all the soul and character out of it, had the most boring writing style imaginable, and set it during the Spanish Inquisition. Yawn

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

dark 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? Yes

3.0

Not enough. It needed more. 

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.75

So… that was gross… good for her tho. But that was just… bleh. Grody

Cubs & Campfires by Dylan Drakes

funny lighthearted 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

5.0

God damn that was hot as fuck. This is what I’ve been looking for in cozy romance. This specifically. I loved. I need 20 more books just like it. I love it. It was amazing. 

House Corrino by Brian Herbert

medium-paced

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

3.0

The plot is pretty solid in this one. Shadam is kinda an asshole. I’m really not surprised as to why he hated Leto. Did they fucking retcon Pieter de Vires?! Like wtf was that? But the book wasn’t terrible. Not great. But not terrible. The Harkonnens are just, comically evil. I’m not a huge fan of the structure of the books. I’m not fan of how “zoomed out” everything is, there were so many instances where if it was more fleshed out and detailed it would’ve been way cooler. But overall it was an interesting trilogy. 

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Roanhorse knocks it out of the park again. I love her writing. She packed so much Navajo culture and lore in here. It was so freaking cool. Clan powers were cool. The various gods and Demi-gods were cool. I want to see where this goes bc there were a lot of loose ends at the end of this one. 

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle

dark 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? Yes

5.0

Ugh. Amazing. I loved it. Chuck Tingle is a master horror storyteller who always packs a powerful punch when it comes to themes and messaging. This time? Fuck AI, fuck corporate greed, fuck people trying to dictate what queer stories are allowed to be shared. Excellent book. Loved it. Even had an Easter egg of Camp Damascus in there too!

Straight by Chuck Tingle

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? Yes

4.5

Damn this shit goes hard. Its main message is about how community and queers standing together will bring safety and that allies giving crumbs of hope and support won’t save us. Excellent story. It needed to be a full novel though.