swaanderer's reviews
214 reviews
The Flower Master, by Sujata Massey
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Andorra Pett and the Oort Cloud Café, by Richard Dee
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Well, it is like Agatha Raisin in space - a simple mystery with a lot of dated tropes and a sprinkling of sexism and homophobia. It could be fun without the cringey bits.
The Dictionary of Lost Words, by Pip Williams
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, War, and Sexism
Minor: Infertility
The Bombay Prince, by Sujata Massey
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Injury/injury detail, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pregnancy, Racism, and Medical content
The Satapur Moonstone, by Sujata Massey
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
The Cartographers, by Peng Shepherd
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The Bullet That Missed, by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Beautiful, heart-wrenching, disturbing, hopeful. And Lucy Liu's audiobook narration was perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Violence, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault and Kidnapping
Spoiler
forced removal of childrenSpoiler
state-sponsored violenceSpoiler
fascism
The Spare Man, by Mary Robinette Kowal
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75