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crusoe's reviews
201 reviews
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
Not as good as Simon vs the homosapiens agenda, but leagues better than Leah on the offbeat.
I really enjoyed this book because -as someone a little older than its intended audience- I know a lot of couples like Reid and Molly. Nerdy boys who are unapologetically themselves and girls with great style who make the most amazing things... They're some of the most loving couples I know.
When you're young and not necessarily conventionally attractive, it can be hard to imagine that you will one day find someone who looks at you like you're their whole world. But you will. And so it's great that so many young readers can relate to how this story represents these issues in a fun and wholesome way.
I really enjoyed this book because -as someone a little older than its intended audience- I know a lot of couples like Reid and Molly. Nerdy boys who are unapologetically themselves and girls with great style who make the most amazing things... They're some of the most loving couples I know.
When you're young and not necessarily conventionally attractive, it can be hard to imagine that you will one day find someone who looks at you like you're their whole world. But you will. And so it's great that so many young readers can relate to how this story represents these issues in a fun and wholesome way.
The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 3: Hotel Oblivion by Gerard Way
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Hotel Oblivion is the most super-hero-y out of all of the umbrella academy series but it's also (in my opinion) the best. Unlike Dallas, the story feels more thought-out with a set-up and pay-off to multiple plotpoints. Yes, it is more cheesy than the previous two volumes, but it's nice to actually see the characters evolve and change, and it was a welcome change to Dallas, which had a very bleak end. This makes me excited for any follow up volumes!!
The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 2: Dallas by Gerard Way, Gabriel Bá
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Dallas is not as coherent in terms of its story as Apocalypse suite was which made it feel messy. A lot is going on and little time is spent further developing the characters. The art is still great with some truly phenomenal panels, so overall I would say it was a fun but chaotic read.
The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: Apocalypse Suite by Gerard Way
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I had a good time reading this, first and foremost. The action was great, there's some gorgeous panels in here and the plot is wacky but fun. However, at least compared to the first seasons of the Netflix show, I find the characters quite unlikeable. This gives the comic an even darker tone than the series but it's just not as fun in my opinion.
Buskruit en kaneel by Dirk-Jan Arensman, Eli Brown
adventurous
dark
funny
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
3.75
Buskruit en Kaneel is een aanrader voor ieder die houdt van een avontuurlijke piratenroman vol sluwe vijanden, kleurrijke karakters, listige plotten en kanonskogels.
Wedgewood's vertrouwen in zijn eigen gelijk en vooroodelen zelfs als de wereld niet zo zwart wit blijkt te zijn is uiterst frusterend aan het begin, net als Mabbot's geduld met hem. Maar zonder diepe dalen geen hoge pieken en zijn persoonlijke groei door het boek heen is fantastisch.
Wedgewood's vertrouwen in zijn eigen gelijk en vooroodelen zelfs als de wereld niet zo zwart wit blijkt te zijn is uiterst frusterend aan het begin, net als Mabbot's geduld met hem. Maar zonder diepe dalen geen hoge pieken en zijn persoonlijke groei door het boek heen is fantastisch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy
1984 by George Orwell
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
1984 is not a fun book to read but it's an absolutely vital one to read that sets out what it would be like to live in a fascist society where everything -even thought- is controlled. Although it takes this concept to an extreme, it is certainly rooted in reality and in theory.
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Leah on the offbeat isn't as well-written as Simon versus the homosapiens agenda. While Leah is realistically written, she isn't
as fun to read about because of how negative her worldview is. There could've been more depth to her internal conflicts as her change in the very last chapter feels unearned. It was an okay read and it was fun to revisit these characters.
as fun to read about because of how negative her worldview is. There could've been more depth to her internal conflicts as her change in the very last chapter feels unearned. It was an okay read and it was fun to revisit these characters.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Uprooted is fascinating for its eastern European influences and its world building was very vibrant in my opinion. I liked the main character well enough even though some of the supposedly most difficult magic came a tad too easily to her. It didn't feel earned at times but her stumbling through her mistakes partially made up for this. I did find the book slow at times and I had a hard time getting through it initially.
Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
I adore this story and I think I'll like the movie even more when I get to watching it. This is mostly because it suits everything (almost everything) I search for in a story more so than because it's without flaws.
You'll like this story if you like: short stories that do a phenomenal job at providing a character driven narrative with unique, well-rounded characters; breaking the mold in a strict academic setting; whimsical rolemodels; queer themes (it does not have explicitly queer characters though); an ending that fits thematically and will rip your heart out.
Unfortunately, the story does include some derogatory stuff towards native Americans. Women are also objectified (because apparently the theme of self-determination only extends to one of the sexes)... Don't pick up this book if this affects your reading experience.
You'll like this story if you like: short stories that do a phenomenal job at providing a character driven narrative with unique, well-rounded characters; breaking the mold in a strict academic setting; whimsical rolemodels; queer themes (it does not have explicitly queer characters though); an ending that fits thematically and will rip your heart out.
Unfortunately, the story does include some derogatory stuff towards native Americans. Women are also objectified (because apparently the theme of self-determination only extends to one of the sexes)... Don't pick up this book if this affects your reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Tsunami Girl by Julian Sedgwick, Chie Kusuwada
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Tsunami girl is genuinely a really great book. In the beginning, the writing feels simple and its interjection with the Manga panels janky. However, once you get used to this it serves the story well.
Yuki's relationship with her grandpa is beautiful and her coming to terms with her trauma through her journey with taka is emotional but well-earned.
One thing I enjoyed is the way myth and folklore was used as a way to explain Yuki's and Taka's experience; it placed their trauma in a greater whole but there still remained a hesitance as to if what they experienced was real.
Yuki's relationship with her grandpa is beautiful and her coming to terms with her trauma through her journey with taka is emotional but well-earned.
One thing I enjoyed is the way myth and folklore was used as a way to explain Yuki's and Taka's experience; it placed their trauma in a greater whole but there still remained a hesitance as to if what they experienced was real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief
Minor: Racism, Car accident, Alcohol