xwritingstoriesx's reviews
231 reviews

Killstreme by Rayne Havok

dark fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow

adventurous reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, War

The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World by Antony Loewenstein

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

dark sad fast-paced

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

4.5

I've never read anything quite like this. Written in free verse with the words meandering on the page, i really enjoyed the experimental use of format and poetic style. When format choices coincide with character arcs, story themes and tone, I tend to appreciate the overarching story much more. I really do cherish art that is divisive, intrusive and real.

While I didn't like the choice she made to keep her baby, I'm glad that this book chose to show the audience that quick fixes (such a band-aid baby) which refuse to address the underlying issue won't solve the problem. The realism of the final page was quite haunting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Trafficking, Pregnancy, Alcohol

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

adventurous 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore

dark informative inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Grief

Woe to Those Who Dwell on Earth by John Lynch

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

blood in the sand - 3 stars 

butcher at bridgeport - 3 stars 

the tree farm - 3 stars 

stasis - 3.75 stars 

the hale koa incident - 3.5 stars 

cock meat sandwich - 3.5 stars 

bow saw - 4 stars 

noose - 4 stars 

wing night - 4 stars 

open the window, tommy - 3.75 stars 

the newlyweds - 4 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

Shiga Hime Volume 5 by Hirohisa Satō

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Shiga Hime Volume 4 by Hirohisa Satō

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0