evanbowie's reviews
17 reviews

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

what a phenomenal book. it had a bit of a slow start, but once it got going i could not put it down. beautiful.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

adventurous emotional medium-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

3.75

such a delightful read, and i’m regretful it took me so long to finish. it’s not my kind of book - i’ve never been one for romance - but i really did enjoy this in spite of that. 

i think the politics fell flat - there was no real resolution besides the fact that there would be one in the future, and the political landscape was the most interesting part of the novel to me. other than that, it was lovely. kit and niamh are excellently written, complicated people, who do not lose their individuality in becoming intertwined.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

andrew joseph white, you have done it again. i thought it may be impossible for him to write a novel as impressive to me as hell followed with us, but he did it! 

the way ajw described emotions and feelings in this novel was mindbogglingly good. the way he builds this story and never lets you forget the horror of the circumstance is beautiful.

and another lovely dedication from ajw - “for the kids with open wounds they’re still learning to stitch closed”

Love Machines by Colin Andersen, Levi Hastings, Michael Schisler, Wyeth Yates, Ben Bishop, Kate Glasheen, J.T. Cole, Dave Valeza, Ryo Kawakami, Patrick Horvath, Jonathan Bell Wolfe, Josh Trujillo

feel like it’s unfair to give an anthology of stories a star rating, but many of the stories in this were heartwarming and beautiful and devastating. highly reccommend.

Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 2 by James Tynion IV

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ERICA SLAUGHTER CALL ME <3

Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

i need the next volume of this NOW i’m so invested

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

this book was phenomenal but many of the names were so similar or complicated it would be difficult to keep track of who was who. but once i got the hang of that it was amazing.

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

emotional hopeful 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

4.0

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

the book started a bit slow but when it picked up it PICKED UP!!!! i loved it