norspider's reviews
180 reviews

Gateway of the Sun by Michael J. DeRosa

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Written for an 80's audience. Which, unfortunately, is not me. 
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse

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adventurous dark 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

4.25

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

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

4.75

Revenge is a buffet served cold.

Black Sun has a deep, rich world that is explored more deeply in each chapter. The pre-Columbian inspiration for the setting is utilized expertly; each faction and sub-faction is given their due. 

The pace, dialogue, and plot all kept me wanting to read. 

I found myself cheering for each of our POV characters, which is very rare for me. I want Xiala to live rich and well. I want Naranpa to bring honor back to her station. I want Okoa to avenge his mother. And I want Serapio to fulfill his destiny. 

There is wonderful LGBTQIA2S+ representation! Not caricatures or jokes, just people living in the world as part of the story. Beautifully done. 

The only reason I didn't give Black Sun a full 5/5 is because none of its plots conclude; this is an incomplete book. But I knew this was the start of a series when I picked it up so I can (mostly)look beyond that. And Roanhorse has found a passionate new fan in me! 

I can't wait to read book 2!

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Dragon Heart by Cecelia Holland

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Why does she want to fuck her twin?

Why is the dragon molesting her!? 

Making it so our main character can only be verbal with the creature that abuses her cannot go anywhere good, and I am NOT going along for the ride. 

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The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
I was so bored by the characters, writing, and seeming lack of plot. 
Abhorsen by Garth Nix

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Magic abound in the Old Kingdom! 

Lireal, Sam, Mogget, and the Disreputable Dog are back, on a perilous trek south leading to an epic (final?) confrontation. 
Nailbiter Compendium One by Josh Williamson

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

2.75

Nailbiter grabs hold of you in the beginning. Then drags in the middle, and ultimately disappoints in the end.

It feels like the writers were making things up as they went, and did not have a plan for the ending; leaving us with loose ends and unsolved mysteries. It has a sense of *it doesn't need to make sense if it's cool.*

The artwork is stellar throughout, really evoking the horror and suspense they wanted. 

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God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 81%.
DNF'd at 81% (474 pages) due to excessive homophobia by hero characters. 
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Generational ✨traaaauummmaaaaaaaaaa✨

I was cast as Little Charles for a production in New York. This play is challenging, dark, and can be difficult to watch. 

The more you examine it the more it unfolds before you, and the more you can take from it. It's got layers! 

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