tangiblereads's reviews
503 reviews

Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Tender Beasts is a wild ride through a toxic family, murder, monsters, racism, and elitism.  I enjoyed it very much.  Especially the whole cult vibes.  I think the ending could have been more of a wow factor though.  Lots of opportunity to wow me, but it was a bit meh, but still good and complete.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Lone Women is a great fantastical horror story, but also a welcome history lesson into how black, chinese and single women played a role in settling the west as homesteaders.  It was suspenseful, gorey, emotional, and a bit funny at times. I enjoyed the story, but was left with many questions at the end.  Wouldn’t mind some plot holes being filled, but satisfied nonetheless.

Touched by Walter Mosley

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Touched has a great plot, is well written, and so interesting..The beginning of this book starts with a bang and keeps you on your toes. It explores many relevant themes of racism and humans behaving badly that are downright pitiful, but true. I loved this beautiful black family and how they work together, which is something we as blacks need to do better for our very survival.  Book was well done. There needs to be more eyes on this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Murder

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

emotional inspiring mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed Vampires of El Norte, but felt the pacing was off.  Very slow, then very quick.  I story overall I did like it.  I like the incorporation of Mexican culture, language, food, folklore and customs.  The historical colonialism attempts was a great addition.  The love story was a very slow burn, but I loved the connection between Nestor and Nena.  Can I get a Nestor on my side please?  Very level headed and takes the time to think and admit mistakes.  The vampires were odd and I'm still left with questions.  But overall, a good story.  I liked, but didn't love, and some things just didn't make sense. 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel is a unique reimagining of this classic novel.   I like how it did not deter much from the original storyline.  If anything it enhanced my understanding of the story (I have only ever seen the movies).  It was gorey, heartfelt, scandalous and well illustrated.  I like how it kept with the original classical writing also.  Keeping the characters straight at times (physically) was somewhat challenging, but you push through.  Good book that I enjoyed very much.

Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi

challenging funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Persopolis 2 was a better time than the first book, but both were OK for me.  Historical, some comedy, real life emotions, and a quest for freedom.  I appreciate how Marjane speaks her mind and her family's acceptance of it.  Love grandma.  Overall, an informative enjoyable book series.  Glad to have read the books, even though I had no idea who author was prior to. Hope everyone gets to experience freedom to be their true authentic self.

Persepolis: The Story Of A Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

funny informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Persepolis contains lots of historical facts about the Islamic revolution so you get a history lesson.  I was confused with all the political terminologies and kept having to look them up.  I enjoyed the Marjane's young child innocent perspective on life and her parents embracing of her free spirit to speak her mind.  She is definitely a character.  Her family are quite the rebels as well, every piece counts.  Her family's privilege threw me off from the story a bit.  I appreciate the suffering of her family, but I was expecting more hardship as I know there were people far worse.  

River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

River Mumma was a wild ride through Toronto and Jamaican culture. The incorporation of language, folklore, history, and food was brilliant,fun, and authentic.  The message about cultural appropriation and people not properly honoring the spirits they love to speak about was poignant. The comedic dialogue throughout was also fun and not over the top.  I loved Mama Gail and the fact that River Mumma loves to pamper herself.  A diety gotta look good too right.   Great plot and writing; wonderful debut.  Well done. 

Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow is a wild ride of females navigating life, relationships, expectations, and living your truth.   I enjoyed the multiple female POVs and seeing how different, but similar their experiences are.  Book was well written and entertaining.  Love the titles, but it is definitely more than just a bumbum story.  Hey ladies we are enough as is, but nothing wrong with wanting to feel better about yourself.  Just don't let other people dictate what that should be. 

One Blood by Denene Millner

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

One Blood is an emotional rollercoaster through the struggles, generational trauma and learning to love yourself for three interconnected black women starting in the 1960s. This book brings up so many relevant topics and expresses them so well.  Denene Millner knows every woman, (especially black woman).  I could relate to so much. It is written well, fleshed out good, and is very introspective.  The struggle is real for us ladies.  This is a great read to take your time reading, but don’t expect some big climatic ending.    

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault