vivakresh's reviews
535 reviews

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

Beautifully conceived, and the writing was excellent—very poetic as you’d expect from such an esteemed poet. The different points of view and the dream sequences were surprisingly interesting and compelling, given the onward drive and complexity of the main character. I feel conflicted about the ending, mostly disappointed. And the main surprise of the plot was predictable, maybe even pat. 

Fervor by Toby Lloyd

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Practice by Dan Bellm

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.0

The first few poems are stunning 

The Baby Book by Robin Silbergleid

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Incredibly moving

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

What’s a great read! 

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

Flew through this book in one vacation day! A fun, emotional read.

Bear by Julia Phillips

adventurous emotional tense 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

3.0

Fairy tale wasn’t that compelling, felt like it was dragging then rushed the ending 

Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Surprised me how much I enjoyed the his book. The writing was great. 

No One Dies Yet by Kobby Ben Ben

adventurous dark lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.5

As a novel, it fails on some level—lacks a coherent tone, characters are motivated to do violence without clear reasons, plot twists come out of nowhere—yet its ambitions to comment on the phenomenon of Black American queer culture in a modern African context remains compelling and relevant and unique. I found the violence really unsettling.