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scripturient's reviews
161 reviews
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The premise of this book is so fascinating! I loved how it was rooted in a real-life story but made it a bit more magical. The execution lagged behind a bit though, sadly - I felt like the ending fell a little flat after a really great setup. Would still wholeheartedly recommend though, it was such a great story overall and an ultimate love letter to maps.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
The Sandman Book One by Neil Gaiman
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It's amazing story-wise, but the amount of rape in this book left a very bad taste in my mouth. There is not a single story without a woman being exploited, abused, raped or objectified. Probably not the best time to pick this up ...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, and Suicide
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.0
There is nothing terribly new about this book - dragons, bonds, dark academia, enemies to lovers - but it was combined in a way that still made it really interesting and enjoyable. The twists were a little predictable and I feel like the relationship between Violet and Xaden might get very rollercoaster-y and annoying in the next book, but overall a solid and exciting fantasy story that I will happily continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-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? No
5.0
Still one of my favourite books ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Drug use and War
An Odyssey: A Father, A Son and an Epic by Daniel Mendelsohn
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Part literary analysis part memoir, this was a very interesting read! I found a few of the author's translations a bit ... much, but I will put that down under creative liberties. The circular storytelling made it a bit hard to follow at first, but the longer you read, the more everything starts to come together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death of parent
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
What a weird little book. I think it is best going into this knowing as little as possible, so I will refrain from making more comments.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I honestly think this would have worked better if it didn't try to be Romeo and Juliet so hard. The setting is great, the story is intriguing, but the Shakespeare references felt a little forced and the similar names drove me crazy. Roma Montagov is just a bit much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
The ending felt a bit rushed, I would have loved a bit more insight into how everything came together in the end – some things did not quite make sense to me there. But the world was intriguing and I really cared for the characters, so overall a great read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
Wavewalker: Breaking Free by Suzanne Heywood
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
This was incredibly hard to read, especially as it becomes increasingly clear that the parents just do not give a shit about their children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked the chapters of the side characters more than Cleo's and Frank's. They just seemed so dysfunctional from the get go that I couldn't really invest myself in their relationship at all. It's beautifully written and an emotional experience, but I don't think it's for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent