fri3d_kai's reviews
101 reviews

Nettleblack by Nat Reeve

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.75

i really enjoyed this book, and it's been a welcome change from my usual emotional and dark books!
i found it hard to adjust to the writing style at first and found myself jumping around a lot, but after i had gotten used to it i couldn't put the book down.
the characters were great and i loved all the different components that made up the story instead of it just being one narrative. quite!
also you've got to love some wholesome queer representation.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Deadnaming, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail

A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story by Qais Akbar Omar

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

I don't have words to explain how incredible this book is. It's so beautifully written, with such vivid and impactful imagery. Amidst things that nobody should have to experience, Qais Akbar Omar finds it in his heart to see beauty everywhere and tells the stories of all the wonderful kindness of the different people all over Afghanistan who he and his family encountered.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and War

The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Given that the story itself is only around 25 pages, the atmosphere created and social commentary is very impressive.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

challenging emotional inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Could not put this book down!

What Is History, Now? by Helen Carr, Suzannah Lipscomb

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.75

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Egg: A Dozen Ovatures by Lizzie Stark

informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I'm 100% biased but I love eggs so this book was made for me. I liked the personal anecdotes and the author's level of investment!

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Am I Normal? by Sarah Chaney

challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

A 10/10 point to make and I enjoyed the casual, conversational writing style because it made it much easier to engage with!