vezreads's reviews
851 reviews

She Came at Midnight by Darva Green

dark 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? It's complicated

3.25

She Came from the Swamp by Darva Green

lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

Cannibal by Safiya Sinclair

challenging reflective slow-paced

Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

This Land: the Search for Māui, Book One by Mark Abnett

dark slow-paced

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

2.0

I didn't enjoy this, I found the story convoluted and confusing. I was excited to read a graphic novel by a Māori author that draws heavily on Māori stories, but afterwards when researching the author i come to find out he's actually white. I'm also white, so my opinion probably doesn't matter but I wonder what made him think he was the right person to tell this story when there are likely so many Māori authors and artists that this opportunity could have gone to. It also feels really icky how his bio carefully avoids telling us whether he's a part of this culture he's so heavily taken from, using language like "the culture of Aotearoa" and "stories for Maori and pakeha alike" while never actually stating that he's pakeha, instead just saying he's "New Zealand born" and letting the reader draw their own conclusions. Its a little reminiscent of Juniper Song from yellowface.
Thats my two cents but I'd like to see reviews by Maori readers

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

dark funny fast-paced

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

4.5

Concrete Kids by Amyra León

reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Imaginary Borders by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

challenging hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.25

Da Big Dakka by Mike Brooks

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-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

4.25