Take a photo of a barcode or cover
crusoe's reviews
201 reviews
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book is weird, no other way to describe it. It's hyperbolic, grotesque in every way (which the illustrations certainly add to) and generally strange. The writing style and ultraviolence of the book remind me a tiny bit of a clockwork orange but you're better of reading that book. I don't think I could recommend this in good conscience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Xenophobia, Vomit
Minor: Trafficking, War
Gezinsverpakking by Bart Chabot, Sebastiaan Chabot, Splinter Chabot, Storm Chabot, Yolanda Chabot, Maurits Chabot
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? N/A
5.0
Ik lees graag boekenweekgeschenken in de trein maar deze raakte me op een manier die ik niet verwachtte. De familie dynamiek is heel herkenbaar en de themas zijn geweldig gevat. Het verloren gaan van wat ooit was is pijnlijk maar het vooruitkijken naar de toekomst is ook hoopvol. Erg mooi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death
Minor: Death of parent
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The characters in this book are messy and there's so many twists and turns to Theo's and Griffin's relationship. At times it can be uncomfortable to read how much Griffin is destroying himself and his relationship with Wade at the end does not feel as fleshed out as his relationship with Theo, but I guess that's what Wade is insecure about . Not as good as they both die at the end and it also has more mature themes but it was still a solid read.
Confettiregen by Splinter Chabot
hopeful
reflective
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
3.25
Confettiregen is niet baanbrekend, maar dat hoeft ook niet, want het is een hele persoonlijke, herkenbare en eerlijke vertelling over hoe het is je anders te voelen. Zelf als wat anders is geaccepteerd wordt door je omgeving. Ik ben blij dat er nu ook boeken zoals dit in de Nederlandse taal bestaan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Mental illness
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
I'm a big fan of how the body horror is described in this book; the pain Benji goes through must be excruciating. However, my favourite part is probably how Benji's entanglement with the people of New Nazareth is presented, how stripping yourself bare from abusive organised religion (and your own skin in his case) means losing friends, ripping apart both fond and awful memories. The most boring part of this book to me was Benji's time at the ALC, but I guess this is intentional. (Relative) safety is not the most exciting to read about but being safe & accepted is what Benji is searching for in the first place.
Once & Future by A.R. Capetta, Cory McCarthy
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-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
2.75
Once & Future truly reads like arthurian gay space communism fanfiction in the best and worst ways. I have to admit: it is poorly written with a lot of plotholes, unnecessary skipping sequences where the characters are unconscious and at first I thought I was making a mistake by not outright DNF'ing it.
However, as I got used to the writing, the story became more entertaining. The characters are at least mildly endearing, their drama and the story absurd, and there's some wonderful one-liners in there that made me crack up.
I can't in good conscience recommend this book (the bad guy is a comically evil capitalist and I don't know how to feel about everyone being horny for each other) but I had a good time reading it.
However, as I got used to the writing, the story became more entertaining. The characters are at least mildly endearing, their drama and the story absurd, and there's some wonderful one-liners in there that made me crack up.
I can't in good conscience recommend this book (the bad guy is a comically evil capitalist and I don't know how to feel about everyone being horny for each other) but I had a good time reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Infidelity, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation
Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
This book was a blast, I really blew through it in less than 24h! Simon is funny, him pining over Blue is adorable and I like the minor and major conflicts in the novel. I'm also so glad that these characters are allowed to be awkward and cringy like teenagers are. It really adds to the story.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
The Mystery of Henri Pick by David Foenkinos
reflective
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
2.0
This is the book I point to when people ask what book I dislike the most. I might as well have a personal vendetta against it.
I liked the double plottwist at the end and the theme throughout the book is iron clad but god are these characters insufferable. It maybe has to do with the fact that I'm aro/ace but I could not get behind the the toxic decisions these characters take 'for love and lust'. This book is also very high up its own ass when it comes to 'high' literature and the expectation that its audience should be familiar with it. Good grief and good riddance.
I liked the double plottwist at the end and the theme throughout the book is iron clad but god are these characters insufferable. It maybe has to do with the fact that I'm aro/ace but I could not get behind the the toxic decisions these characters take 'for love and lust'. This book is also very high up its own ass when it comes to 'high' literature and the expectation that its audience should be familiar with it. Good grief and good riddance.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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