sp00ky_n3rd's reviews
664 reviews

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

reflective slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

This book was very well written and managed to evoke feelings of nostalgia and feel almost historical as you continued reading. It was almost like it became the story of the house and it made me feel things. HOWEVER, the content was difficult. There was so much incest and paedophilia, which just happened constantly and was completely unnecessary but also was not particularly condemned or seen as problematic. There were also points where it just became quite boring. It seems the type of book to study in a lit class but not a particularly enjoyable book outside of that context.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Incest, and Pedophilia

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

adventurous lighthearted 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? No

4.0

This was a fun, cosy read. It's not high energy or super tense but quite calm and cute. I took it on holiday with me and it was a good holiday read.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.5

I started this book being slightly annoyed at the writing. The author uses the odd French word in sentences that are otherwise completely in English and has excessive swearing (like waaay more than necessary, and I'm not a prudish person), but that does slow down a bit as the book goes on.
Despite these criticisms/annoyances, this book was SO GOOD. It had me by the throat the whole time and wanting to get to the next part. Despite the main character being a bit of a bastard, I grew to like and understand him. I actually loved this book in the end. It doesn't feel as big as it is at all. 

How to Piss Off Men: 109 Things to Say to Shatter the Male Ego by Kyle Prue

funny informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

This was a fun read with some devastating burns and also insightful societal commentary. It was very Americanised so some of them don't make sense to us non-Americans but still great! 

Everything Is Spiritual: Who We Are and What We're Doing Here by Rob Bell

challenging hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

I loved this book. Rob Bell says things that so many Christians find controversial, and for the life of me, I can't see what is so controversial about it. It MAKES SENSE. He makes great points and does so in such an accessible way. I feel encouraged when Christians say things like I found in this book because so many of them don't.

Big Fish by Daniel Wallace

emotional funny lighthearted sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

I decided to read this book because the film is one of my favourite films. I enjoyed it, and I absolutely see what Tim Burton saw when he made this film, but it didn't quite hit the same reading it. I did feel quite emotional at the end, and the book had the same wholesome vibe. It just didn't feel as fantastical or hit as hard as the film did.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this. It is a brilliant fantasy with such great characters, world building, and story. I loved seeing how Vis thought through every interaction he had. The backstory of The Hierarchy and Vis's personal backstory was built in so well. I laughed, gasped, and cried along with the story. I've never read Islington before, but this cements him as a must-read author for me. The only problem I now have is how long I have to wait to get the next book. I NEED IT.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This book is a slow burn queer romance that was sweet to read and watch develop all through letters between the main characters. This is definitely more romance than fantasy, which is where it loses stars for me. I much prefer romance as a secondary storyline and struggled with the lack of things happening. It was very well written, but lacking the excitement I wanted from it.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? No

4.0

This was a really fun read and I know I would have been obsessed with this as a teenager!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is wonderful, wholesome, and funny. I laughed out loud, and I cried. The characters are so loveable, and the growth in Linus throughout is so special to watch unfold. If you love found family, you'll love this! This book deserves every bit of the 5 stars it's getting from me.