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zenzi2read's reviews
691 reviews
The Seep by Chana Porter
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was like a dark version of Psalm for the wild by Becky Chambers. I like it mix first contact invasion with effects that are positive and passive.
I enjoy your book that asks who are we and what would we be if all of our basic needs were met. I also like the not perfect, but also not sinister approach the author took while speculating about a future like this one.
I enjoy your book that asks who are we and what would we be if all of our basic needs were met. I also like the not perfect, but also not sinister approach the author took while speculating about a future like this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Shaka as a main character is challenging and provocative, but her desires and need for autonomy are pretty mundane.
I enjoyed this peak into the mind and thoughts of this character against the backdrop of a life, largely live within a single room.
I think that this book explores accessibility power and class in an interesting way. There’s never a balance at any point in this book all three are at play.
The narrative kept me off balance as well. Whenever I thought that I could predict the next plot point something new would happen.
I enjoyed this peak into the mind and thoughts of this character against the backdrop of a life, largely live within a single room.
I think that this book explores accessibility power and class in an interesting way. There’s never a balance at any point in this book all three are at play.
The narrative kept me off balance as well. Whenever I thought that I could predict the next plot point something new would happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Ableism, Abortion
Death Takes Me: A Novel by Cristina Rivera Garza
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don’t feel confident enough to critique a book that I didn’t fully understand. What narrative and plot drill structure existed. I enjoyed.
I was never frustrated enough to stop reading, but I did realize at the halfway point that there were chapters – full chapters – where I was completely out of my depth. Did illicit string feelings of unease rom me which was the point I think. This book was saying something about gendered violence, but I’m not sure what.
I’m glad that I read and I do wish that I read it with a group especially Group that annotates and takes notes.
There was a lot interesting here and I think that this is a good book for the right reader. I struggle with books that don’t have a straightforward narrative so I knew in that this would be a challenge. I’ll likely be on YouTube looking for breakdowns and hoping to join in conversations about this for sometime.
I was never frustrated enough to stop reading, but I did realize at the halfway point that there were chapters – full chapters – where I was completely out of my depth. Did illicit string feelings of unease rom me which was the point I think. This book was saying something about gendered violence, but I’m not sure what.
I’m glad that I read and I do wish that I read it with a group especially Group that annotates and takes notes.
There was a lot interesting here and I think that this is a good book for the right reader. I struggle with books that don’t have a straightforward narrative so I knew in that this would be a challenge. I’ll likely be on YouTube looking for breakdowns and hoping to join in conversations about this for sometime.
The Warehouse by Rob Hart
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
This feels like Dave Eggers, the Circle placed in the world of Octavia Butler’s parable of the sower. It doesn’t feel like it’s copying but it certainly feels like a take on those ideas.
Initially, I thought it would be too similar to Eggers work, but it sucks itself apart pretty early. The espionage and subversive plans of each character is clear from the start. I enjoyed watching all of the ways that Paxton and zinnia’s stories collided, and diverged.
This one is exciting, timely, and thoughtfully written. I came very close to feeling like this was a perfect story, but it fell into some melodrama towards the end. The romantic storyline felt insincere. A lot of the exposition towards the end felt like cookie cutter, political action, movie stuff.
But there was plenty of attention and solid storytelling throughout, and it was an enjoyable read.
Initially, I thought it would be too similar to Eggers work, but it sucks itself apart pretty early. The espionage and subversive plans of each character is clear from the start. I enjoyed watching all of the ways that Paxton and zinnia’s stories collided, and diverged.
This one is exciting, timely, and thoughtfully written. I came very close to feeling like this was a perfect story, but it fell into some melodrama towards the end. The romantic storyline felt insincere. A lot of the exposition towards the end felt like cookie cutter, political action, movie stuff.
But there was plenty of attention and solid storytelling throughout, and it was an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Police brutality
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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
This had all of Stephen Graham Jones, classic devices: a curse calls by breaking cultural taboo, and a pistol, Larry format, and a smart Alec female main character to root for.
Initially, I was concerned that Etsy was too much like Jade Daniels. They certainly are kindred spirits. But we immediately dive into the world of Good Stab and the pastor and I was able to experience a different writing style from SGJ.
Jones really took his time to create atmosphere and setting. There were times that I could see the environments picture of the food and people. This was a digital read for me, but they were passages that I wished that I could underline because they were so beautifully written.
The game of cat and mouse between Pastor and Good Stab and Cat Man kept things tense. Although the story takes place in the past, and you have an idea of how things will end your field to continue reading each page of the journey.
It was also satisfying in the way that the story connected between each timeline. This was a completely different take on colonialism and it’s reckoning for me. The final “confrontation” between the pastor and good stab made my eyes tear up a bit.
Initially, I was concerned that Etsy was too much like Jade Daniels. They certainly are kindred spirits. But we immediately dive into the world of Good Stab and the pastor and I was able to experience a different writing style from SGJ.
Jones really took his time to create atmosphere and setting. There were times that I could see the environments picture of the food and people. This was a digital read for me, but they were passages that I wished that I could underline because they were so beautifully written.
The game of cat and mouse between Pastor and Good Stab and Cat Man kept things tense. Although the story takes place in the past, and you have an idea of how things will end your field to continue reading each page of the journey.
It was also satisfying in the way that the story connected between each timeline. This was a completely different take on colonialism and it’s reckoning for me. The final “confrontation” between the pastor and good stab made my eyes tear up a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, War
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.0
I was glad that this book avoided any tragic trans narratives. But everything else about it was predictable tropes and devices. Our main character of veteran with PTSD. The combat experiences and trauma did not get the attention they deserved and he never really felt like a full person.
That tells people we’re small minded sheep. Of course you had the overbearing pastor and narrow worldview. At no point that this book subvert my expectations
I felt like the characters needed more time to explore their feelings and motivations. I also feel like the towns people needed to be more than a mob. They were some interesting ideas. The plot and characters needed work.
That tells people we’re small minded sheep. Of course you had the overbearing pastor and narrow worldview. At no point that this book subvert my expectations
I felt like the characters needed more time to explore their feelings and motivations. I also feel like the towns people needed to be more than a mob. They were some interesting ideas. The plot and characters needed work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Transphobia
Minor: Rape
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
I enjoy a character study of a complex woman, and that’s exactly what’s explored here. Although the world is stark and the main character writes in a way that seems cold, there is something slightly optimistic about this book. Although it goes unacknowledged for much of the book this explorer, the importance of found family and strong female relationships.
Despite the inhumane treatment and monotonous lives that these women share, they find ways to explore their mind and memories to maintain their humanity. This is bleak and hopeful at the same time, but I could not put this book down .
Despite the inhumane treatment and monotonous lives that these women share, they find ways to explore their mind and memories to maintain their humanity. This is bleak and hopeful at the same time, but I could not put this book down .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping
Minor: Torture
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved experience in this world through the main character Sara. Identified very much with how the plot played out and how being a marching person can make your rights and citizenship status provisional.
I didn’t mind that the plot of this book really started at the halfway mark. It gave us time to experience all of the characters and perform some world building. But now that I’ve completed the book I feel like the world should’ve been fleshed out a bit more.
Was there ever any public outcry over what’s going on? Did the detention centers ever has whistleblowers? Was the detention equally used between men and women? What about across the globe?
The author spent so much time performing worldbuilding, but they were so much that I didn’t know. It made me feel like the pacing was off and that if I wasn’t going to get a full picture of this world, it could’ve been a shorter book anyway.
I enjoyed the plot and characters and situation wasn’t unique Dash. It reminded me a lot of Philip K Dick‘s book minority report. I still like the author spin on an idea that Dick created.
I didn’t mind that the plot of this book really started at the halfway mark. It gave us time to experience all of the characters and perform some world building. But now that I’ve completed the book I feel like the world should’ve been fleshed out a bit more.
Was there ever any public outcry over what’s going on? Did the detention centers ever has whistleblowers? Was the detention equally used between men and women? What about across the globe?
The author spent so much time performing worldbuilding, but they were so much that I didn’t know. It made me feel like the pacing was off and that if I wasn’t going to get a full picture of this world, it could’ve been a shorter book anyway.
I enjoyed the plot and characters and situation wasn’t unique Dash. It reminded me a lot of Philip K Dick‘s book minority report. I still like the author spin on an idea that Dick created.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Minor: Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
5.0
One thing that I love about Gailey’s writing is that it doesn’t feel like genre fiction. Although there are domestic thriller and sci-fi elements to the story, it’s primarily about a middle-aged woman’s interior life.
She doesn’t explore who she’s been programmed to be, and how that affects her current life or the lives of others.
Evelyn is a complex woman and this book explores her life after an extra marital affair without assigning blame. I like the complexity of all of the characters.
This is the type of thriller, I love, but I realize that many people want something that is much faster pace, and that follows the traditional beat of a domestic thriller. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone that likes a plot driven story.
She doesn’t explore who she’s been programmed to be, and how that affects her current life or the lives of others.
Evelyn is a complex woman and this book explores her life after an extra marital affair without assigning blame. I like the complexity of all of the characters.
This is the type of thriller, I love, but I realize that many people want something that is much faster pace, and that follows the traditional beat of a domestic thriller. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone that likes a plot driven story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Abortion
The Possession of Natalie Glasgow by Hailey Piper, Hailey Piper
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
This was a quick possessions story with some unexpected twists. It explore toxic masculinity in a unique way I enjoyed the Gothic elements with a feminist twist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty