claudcloud's Reviews (310)

I'm Glad My Mom Died

5.0

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Horrifying, insightful, full of heart and incredibly, incredibly hopeful in spite of it all. I'm so glad Jennette's story is out there, and that I have the privilege to read it.

The Poet X

Elizabeth Acevedo

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing sad 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: Complicated

"And isn't that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark."

This book was absolutely phenomenal, and I will read anything and everything that Elizabeth Acevedo writes! The heart and soul of this is palpable, especially if you listen to it on audio book (which I highly recommend because it's narrated by Acevedo herself!!!)

An absolutely stunning debut. I only wish I'd read it sooner!

These Infinite Threads

Tahereh Mafi

4.0

adventurous inspiring relaxing sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was entirely no plot pure vibes but I enjoyed every second of it... Tahereh's writing is one of my favorites I've ever read, and I need that last book (Cyrus supremacy anyone???)

Time Is a Mother

Ocean Vuong

3.5

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

I'll be the first to admit that poetry is not my strong suit, so I'm mainly rating this based on vibes - some of the poems in this collection left me breathless, while others were not as impactful, but the fact remains that Vuong is a master of language, and I'd be very interested to pick up his novel, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous"!

Iron Widow

Xiran Jay Zhao

4.0

adventurous funny informative mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Whoever I stumbled upon that described this as a "primal scream of a book" - they were absolutely right.

That ending left me reeling and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel next year!!

The Mysterious Study of Doctor Sex

Tamsyn Muir

4.0

informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I will die on the altar of Camilla Hect and Palamedes Sextus 🥹

Nona the Ninth

Tamsyn Muir

4.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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: Complicated

I am more and more in awe of Tamsyn Muir's writing ability with every word of hers that I read. This series officially has me in its clutches - body, soul, blood, bones, whatever Muir wants, I will give it all, and I cannot believe that we have to wait (as of right now) until October for "Alecto"??????

Also, I wouldn't be me if I didn't say this, so please excuse me - let Griddlehark be happy 2k23????????

Harrow the Ninth

Tamsyn Muir

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was the single most confusing piece of literature that I have ever read.

5 stars!

Gideon the Ninth

Tamsyn Muir

4.5

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

“One flesh, one end, bitch.”

I would like to sue the last 40 pages of this book for emotional damage.

Daisy Jones & The Six

Taylor Jenkins Reid

4.0

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"I am not the muse.
I am the somebody.
End of fucking story."

Stunning. No notes. This ripped my heart out and put it back together in the best possible way, and I loved every second of it - highly, HIGHLY recommend the audiobook, because it gives so much more dimension and life to the entire story!

Now excuse me as I go listen to "Aurora" on repeat and cry (IT EXISTS NOW!!!!!!!)

More...