madisonwray's reviews
559 reviews

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-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

4.5

SO fun!!! At the beginning I was wary because it felt so much like the first one, but honestly I loved Tella way more and knowing all about the game made it more interesting and strategic. Also DANTE!!!!!

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Show me a REAL LIFE high schooler who acts like this PLS. but also I love them so much omg

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

What an interesting read. I think if you love the 80s you’d vibe with this. It was just a little too character driven for me. Mostly because I felt like it was leading up to this grand action/evil tomfoolery that never quite transpired. I almost wish it had been taken that next step further. But also WHO WAS THE NARRATOR ARGH

A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny medium-paced

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

5.0

Burn It Down: Women Writing about Anger by Lilly Dancyger

Go to review page

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Reading this was eye-opening for me. I am certainly not unfamiliar with anger, but upon more reflection and interrogation, I began to question when and if I have ever expressed anger. More to the point, when, if ever, have I expressed my anger to the object causing that anger?

This collection invites you to think about our world in terms of who is allowed and praised for being angry, which issues or situations justify or merit anger and which don’t, how the example of anger in your childhood affects you as you grow up, and many more. It is also a challenge to turn anger into action, that it is not an unproductive emotion, but can be channeled into something fierce and strong and change-provoking.

And so, I am angry. I am angry that as a woman, I have been taught to avoid anger, to not display anger, to frame it in a different, softer way. I am angry that when women do show anger, they are labeled as “hysterical”, “crazy”, “irrational”. I am angry that women who are not white, straight, or cis, must be even more careful with their anger, for fear of how others will react.

I am angry because children die in schools at the hands of humans with guns. I am angry because a convicted felon, a rapist, and a liar (non-exhaustive list) was elected to the highest seat of government in our country. I am angry because quality healthcare is expensive and difficult to access. I am angry because racism is pervasive in every aspect of our lives, in a country where “all men are created equal”. I am angry because women do not have the right to make decisions about their own bodies.

And I am also angry because my cat won’t stop eating my Christmas tree. I am angry because I will be managing a chronic illness my entire life. I am angry because I do not feel valued by a community I was raised in. I am angry because people are rude and mean to my parents, and to me.

So what do I do about this anger? How do I use this to fuel my future actions and decisions? This is the next step, and one I take eagerly. I invite you to be angry, and then to do something about it.

Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced