zluke's reviews
471 reviews

Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood

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challenging reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

Not really a book I would normally read. An interesting read though.

The Trials of Koli by M.R. Carey

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adventurous slow-paced

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

3.5

A bit of a filler book in the trilogy, some good world building but not much in the way of plot. I would have liked to see more character development but I didn't feel like Koli develops much at all. I find him a bit of an annoying idiot.

I hadn't realised Cup was so young and was wondering how Koli magically knew she was a girl when they met, but it makes more sense in this book. It was odd that puberty blockers were controversial when Ursala usually jumps at the chance to do something and gene editing is apparently fine.

Content Warnings

The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-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

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

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adventurous fast-paced

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

3.25

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

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emotional hopeful mysterious fast-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

4.0

Overal a fun emotional read. I found it quite relatable because I also felt a lot of pressure to do well in my A Levels. I loved how amazing Frances' mum is, she's lovely and supportive while also pushing Frances when she needs it.

The tension and build up was really good and it has a great pace.

Some inconsistencies threw me out of it at times though which was a shame.

Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

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dark emotional sad medium-paced