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crusoe's reviews
201 reviews
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
Chain-gang all-stars isn't a subtle commentary, but damn it, this is America and the train for subtlety passed ages ago. It is nuanced enough and although it takes a strong stance against incarceration, it doesn't shy away from the hurt that comes with that viewpoint.
Focusing on so many characters at once, unfortunately, does fragment the story significantly even if it's necessary to show all sides of the debate. The issue is that not all parts are equally strong.
The idea to put both real world statistics and character background information in the footnotes of the story was a brilliant find and more stories should include experimental aspects in their format like this that can enhance the story. Not only does it ground the fictional story in reality but because the format for fictional characters is the same as the factual information, your brain associates the fictional characters and their stories with reality. It raises the stakes and makes the story more real.
Focusing on so many characters at once, unfortunately, does fragment the story significantly even if it's necessary to show all sides of the debate. The issue is that not all parts are equally strong.
The idea to put both real world statistics and character background information in the footnotes of the story was a brilliant find and more stories should include experimental aspects in their format like this that can enhance the story. Not only does it ground the fictional story in reality but because the format for fictional characters is the same as the factual information, your brain associates the fictional characters and their stories with reality. It raises the stakes and makes the story more real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Sexual harassment
Mapmakers and the Enchanted Mountain by Cameron Chittock, Amanda Castillo
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
It's always a good sign when a graphic novel makes you say: I wish this were a cartoon!
Volume 2 of mapmakers is just as strong as the first part. The art is wonderful, I love the message it teaches and the characters are adorable (I can't get over the fact Cado is a head larger than his dad lmao). Unfortunately, I still feel the story lacks some depth but I'm excited for the third and final part! And a little sad, because I would've loved to meet more memris.
Volume 2 of mapmakers is just as strong as the first part. The art is wonderful, I love the message it teaches and the characters are adorable (I can't get over the fact Cado is a head larger than his dad lmao). Unfortunately, I still feel the story lacks some depth but I'm excited for the third and final part! And a little sad, because I would've loved to meet more memris.
Emma by Jane Austen
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25
Emma is quite a nice book with a slow unfolding plot. Occasionally a bit too slow and it does drag on quite a bit. However, I'm very charmed by Austen's writing and Emma's flaws.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
I am trying to annotate this book as a gift to a friend but annotating really isn't for me, I find. So it's taking super long. That's why I am now putting a pauze on this book and picking it up again later.
Bill Bryson's African Diary by Bill Bryson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
2.75
Obviously, this is simply a long ad for CARE international. But at least it's a fun one! It's always a pleasure reading Bryson's work but I wish this book had more depth to it. (And was that last chapter really necessary?)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
The first time I read The Night Circus, it was my dad's copy. Nevermind the fact it is a slightly inappropriate book for an 11 yo, he taught I would appreciate the mystery and magic of the circus as much as he did. He was right, and I have been carrying this story in my heart ever since.
Over the years, the details slipped but the impression remained. The same way the circus might leave an impression on a younger visitor. And so, to dust this book off again and step back into the world of Erin Morgenstern was a great pleasure. I am glad to report that I could put this book back where it belongs -in the library of my heart- tugged snugly between my copy of the raven boys and septimus heap.
Over the years, the details slipped but the impression remained. The same way the circus might leave an impression on a younger visitor. And so, to dust this book off again and step back into the world of Erin Morgenstern was a great pleasure. I am glad to report that I could put this book back where it belongs -in the library of my heart- tugged snugly between my copy of the raven boys and septimus heap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief
Ten Years in the Tub: A Decade Soaking in Great Books by Nick Hornby
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.75
This collections of essays was okay, Hornby has some great and funny insights about what it's like to be a reader- and writer. It was, however, very dense and should not have been my first introduction to Nick Hornby's work.
Reading this collection was also a good reminder that I need to stop reading books by older, white, male authors because -despite their best intentions- subtle misogynistic comments keep taking me by surprise.
Reading this collection was also a good reminder that I need to stop reading books by older, white, male authors because -despite their best intentions- subtle misogynistic comments keep taking me by surprise.
A Wolf Called Romeo by Nick Jans
With a name like 'Romeo' and the constant tension while he continued to escape death, it was clear that he would not survive til the end of the book. However, the way in which is happened was deplorable and the emotionality of it took me by surprise.
The author keeps a great balance between an obvious preservation mindset and the justified fears the wolf (initially) brings to the community. The little facts about wolves throughout the book were also neat but it just wasn't my type of book.
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
The author keeps a great balance between an obvious preservation mindset and the justified fears the wolf (initially) brings to the community. The little facts about wolves throughout the book were also neat but it just wasn't my type of book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25
So This Is Ever After is a really fun fantasy romcom romp and is perfect as a palette cleanser after a tough book because you need exactly 0 braincells to read it.
The plot, nor the characters are strongly written, and most of the story hinges on miscommunocation but it's sweet and a very fun, light read. I find it especially cute that everything Matt and Arek tried to plan to set Arek up with his friends, ended up happening to Matt and Arek instead.
The plot, nor the characters are strongly written, and most of the story hinges on miscommunocation but it's sweet and a very fun, light read. I find it especially cute that everything Matt and Arek tried to plan to set Arek up with his friends, ended up happening to Matt and Arek instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
Circe by Madeline Miller
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I always love the feeling of when you see how a name or story you heard of long ago fits into the greek mythos.
Like all Miller books, it took me a while to get into and Circe did not hit me as hard as Song of Achilles did. (Which is mostly because the Illiad is one of my favourite parts of Greek mythology.) However, the nuance in which Circe evolves as a character and takes back control of her own story is brilliant. It was a great read.
Like all Miller books, it took me a while to get into and Circe did not hit me as hard as Song of Achilles did. (Which is mostly because the Illiad is one of my favourite parts of Greek mythology.) However, the nuance in which Circe evolves as a character and takes back control of her own story is brilliant. It was a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy