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turrean's reviews
2180 reviews
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The audiobook narration is FABULOUS: delightfully dark and perfectly voiced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness, Gaslighting, Blood, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Emotional abuse
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
An epic fantasy set in ancient China, with reluctant heroes, righteous monks, outlaws, and villains battling it out over the soul of the empire. The audiobook narrator was fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Violence, Gore, Sexism, Death, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
Cook Like Your Ancestors: An Illustrated Guide to Intuitive Cooking With Recipes From Around the World by Mariah-Rose Marie
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.0
For decades, books supposedly with recipes (or crafts, or traditions, or myths) from “around the world” meant the US, ten countries in Europe, one from Asia, and possibly a chapter labeled “Africa,” without even the region identified. It’s such a relief to open this one and see a wide-ranging assortment of nations represented. The impact of colonialism and environmental degradation on foodways is discussed forthrightly and without mincing any words (for example, the book mentions the Long Walk of the Diné, the exploitation of Kenyan tea workers, and the loss of rainforest habitat due to farming practices.)
Excellent.
Excellent.
A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People by Jennifer Thermes
informative
reflective
4.5
The Lantern's Dance by Laurie R. King
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
An entertaining exploration of Holmes family history.
Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, and Physical abuse
Minor: Violence, Sexism, and Racial slurs
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
This novel features a multigenerational cast, a heartwarming story, and some razor sharp observations on family dynamics.
Critical Point by S.L. Huang
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Each of the novels is more tightly plotted and better constructed than the one before. The third novel introduced a great crew of people who, in various ways, inspire Cass to try to find her way to her true self.
Whoever the hell that might be.
Whoever the hell that might be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gun violence
Moderate: Police brutality, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gore
Null Set by S.L. Huang
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The story progresses!
The author has begun to rectify the sad lack of female characters in the first book, and gave this impatient reader a bit more of Cass’s backstory.
One of the most interesting features of this book is that the characters don’t see a perfectly ethical path no matter which way they look. The story touches on the moral implications of law, technology, and psychology…which might sound deeply boring but actually made for some very tense situations.
The author has begun to rectify the sad lack of female characters in the first book, and gave this impatient reader a bit more of Cass’s backstory.
One of the most interesting features of this book is that the characters don’t see a perfectly ethical path no matter which way they look. The story touches on the moral implications of law, technology, and psychology…which might sound deeply boring but actually made for some very tense situations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Trafficking