mgerboc's reviews
278 reviews

Empires of the Steppes: A History of the Nomadic Tribes Who Shaped Civilization by Kenneth W. Harl

4.0

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Heck yeah! In a relatively short novel, Waubgeshig Rice manages to create a truly eerie, simmering slow-burn which incorporates two of my favorite things - (1) a unique, well-depicted setting (in this case, a First Nations Reservation in northern Canada) and (2) an unknown and unseen apocalyptic societal collapse, information about which only trickles in and leaves much to your own imagination.  Well written, good characters, and palpable tension.

Assail by Ian C. Esslemont

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense 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

Q by Luther Blissett

adventurous dark funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enríquez

2.0

The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

The Last Emperor of Mexico: The Dramatic Story of the Habsburg Archduke Who Created a Kingdom in the New World by Edward Shawcross

informative reflective fast-paced

4.75

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

adventurous 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

4.0

The Mexican Wars for Independence by Timothy J. Henderson

fast-paced

4.0

And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75