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srm's reviews
1135 reviews
Four Against the Arctic: Shipwrecked for Six Years at the Top of the World by David Roberts
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Because so little is known about the men who survived 6 years in the Arctic in the 18th Century, this book is by necessity more adventures in research than adventures in cold weather survival. Still, Roberts is a compelling writer, so I enjoyed it all the same, if differently, from his other books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, and Medical content
Dead Man in a Ditch by Luke Arnold
dark
emotional
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
4.25
I loved this just as much reading the paperback as I did listening to the audio. This series, about a human trying to bring magic back to the world after he helped end it, is just brilliant. Also, the end of this one totally made me cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd
challenging
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Honestly, I'm still thinking about how I feel about it all. But I definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
Maverick: A Biography of Thomas Sowell by Jason L. Riley
challenging
informative
medium-paced
3.75
I nice overview of Sowell's most important books, but I feel like in trying to split the difference between a personal and critical biography, it didn't succeed fully as either.
Empire by Conn Iggulden
adventurous
dark
informative
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
4.0
Another excellent installment, but frankly, really kind of depressing. I guess I went and got attached to these folks. I hope day Iggulden returns to Ancient Greece. (Not that I didn't enjoy Book 1 of his current Ancient Rome series.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: War
Minor: Blood, Grief, and Alcohol
The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- 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
4.25
As much as I adore the audiobook, it was a real pleasure to read this again in a read copy I could mark up and soak in a bit. Still adore Fetch.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Torture, Police brutality, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'm not necessarily a Grishaverse person, but I thoroughly enjoyed this Darkling origin story. Unsurprisingly, it's really dark, yet quite compelling. And the artwork is gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Lion by Conn Iggulden
adventurous
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
Iggulden's Greek histories continue to be incredibly enjoyable. I miss George Blagden reading the audio, but I'm still liking the series a lot. I'll even admit to maybe crying a little at Pausanias's end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
4.25
A charming story about a young Englishman who heads to Edinburgh in the 1820s for med school. He quickly finds himself involved in the, ahem, supply of specimens for the anatomy students, but darker secrets than mere body snatching lie beneath the city. True crime fans will get a treat, as will historical fiction readers. Also, I very much enjoyed the side of swoony M/M romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol