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crusoe's reviews
134 reviews
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
This book was everything I imagined it to be: a nuanced exploration of what it means to be trans, a mystical historical fantasy with a fascinating (and horrific) structure of power, and a hell of a lot of gore with very little comfort to be found. White has shed the first-time-author things that were less appealing in Hell Followed with us and -in my opinion- presented a story with a stronger plot and characters while keeping the things that make his work unique.
All I'm saying is: if compound fracture is better than this book, Andrew Joseph White has officially broken my bookrating scale.
All I'm saying is: if compound fracture is better than this book, Andrew Joseph White has officially broken my bookrating scale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage and Classism
Minor: Animal death and Infertility
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
This story is very pleasant to listen to even if little happens. While the moral of the story is quite on the nose and parts are repetitive, there is something wonderful about exploring the mystical moors, the house and its grounds through the eyes of a child.
Through a modern day lense, the story can be interpreted as slightly ableist and more than a little racist. For that reason I don't think it should count as a 'children's classic' anymore.
Through a modern day lense, the story can be interpreted as slightly ableist and more than a little racist. For that reason I don't think it should count as a 'children's classic' anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Death of parent
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
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, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and 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.