villagrandres's reviews
34 reviews

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

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

5.0

An entertaining and important read. Many times did I finish a chapter and have to just sit there for a moment and process what was on the pages in front of me. The writing was also very well done, great characterization and realism of dialogue. It is weird for me to place a rating on this book because I don’t have that feeling of wanting to read a sequel and it took me a while to chip through the book. But maybe that’s the purpose of this book and how you absorb its message - slowly, and let the implications sit with you for days afterwards to mull over in your mind.

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Coates is a wordsmith. So imaginative and descriptive with the words used to describe the scenery, character traits, and the murders. Really helps add to the tension and suspense for scenes, made me feel like I was right there. This was also the first book in quite a long time to hook me and give me a desire to keep listening.

I also really loved how there were multiple red herrings - maybe a standard practice for horror mysteries, but I think it was really well done here!

All Star Superman The Deluxe Edition by Diego de los Santos Domingo, Frank Quitely, Grant Morrison

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.0

The second Superman comic I’ve ever read. I loved the story and characterization of Superman, though I didn’t love the art style and

I expected some of the 12 feats to be bigger than they actually were. I get that it’s a comic series so they need quick endings, but I think there was a lot of potential in some of these short stories to explore further.

all in all it was a great and fun read, I think I’d enjoy reading other Superman comics in the future!

How Carrots Won the Trojan War: Curious (But True) Stories of Common Vegetables by Rebecca Rupp
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.

Reading this book has become a chore. I do not look forward to reading it because I never feel joy from what I’ve read. I also do not enjoy the writing style at all. The book is written like the author threw up their research all over the pages and didn’t want to leave out any details. While this may be very appealing to vegetable and useless fact fanatics, it’s incoherent and annoying to me. This book might be really fun for many people, but I am not one of them.

Chainsaw Man Vol. 17 by Tatsuki Fujimoto

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

The Common Good by Robert B. Reich

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

I think this is a book everyone should have to hear. Very important messages for whatever your political beliefs are. Only shaving off 0.5 stars because it took me so long to finish and it’s not even a long book. Not sure if it’s cause it was an audiobook, or I just got busy?

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.

I’m trying to catch my stride with reading again, and this one is just too long and wordy. It doesn’t help that the dialect is written (at the start) from the perspective of people in the 1800s. Something about old timey language makes it more likely to get under my skin. I’m gonna pick a lighter read, one I’m more excited about.

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 22 by Gege Akutami

adventurous dark funny inspiring tense 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

Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 1: Power and Responsibility by Brian Michael Bendis

emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A great retelling of the classic story I’ve absorbed so much growing up. Love what they’ve done with the characters and changing them enough to where it’s a new retelling. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt by J.M. DeMatteis

adventurous dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A great read! I can see why so many people recommend it. Had no idea it included such introspective thoughts from Peter, was really surprised by that and enjoyed the overarching symbolism.