thetomatowriter's reviews
456 reviews

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I was excited about the modern world with this Arthurian lore and magic. I found the main character of Tamsin frustrating sometimes in the way that she's meant to be, but her growth was compelling. I wasn't super gripped by anything throughout the story, which I'd hoped to be. Things grew on me eventually, and I think when they were meant to, the emotional moments really landed. But I felt a little bored for the first half of the book or so. The romance felt very tropey and formulaic so it took me a while to get into it.

I think Bracken has a great sense of atmosphere throughout the story, and I will say that in the last 10% or so, I was hooked. I didn't think I'd want to read the second one, but now because of the ending I feel like I'm going to have to. 

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

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

2.0

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven

adventurous emotional 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

4.25

Maniac: The Bath School Disaster and the Birth of the Modern Mass Killer by Harold Schechter

challenging dark informative sad tense slow-paced

2.5

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

dark funny reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

Anne of West Philly: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Anne of Green Gables by Ivy Noelle Weir

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

I'm giving this a 5 star not based on my personal experience (although I did enjoy it) but based on the experience I think I would have had if I was the intended age range for this graphic novel. Occasionally the dialogue felt a little stiff and preachy, but to be fair so did the original. And it was the sort of thing where I think, as a kid, I wouldn't have noticed or cared. I might have even been excited about being introduced to experiences and concepts I hadn't considered before!

If you want an Anne of Green Gables retelling that does everything exactly the same as the story set in Victorian Canada did, this isn't the one for you. Anne isn't necessarily a writer, Matthew isn't a farmer, and certain relationships and plot points go differently than they would have been able to at the time the original books came out. But if you want a retelling that follows the spirit of Anne of Green Gables and truly takes into account how that might resonate in a modern setting for a modern audience, I'd highly recommend Anne of West Philly. If you have kids that you want to love Anne as much as you did growing up, I'd recommend this graphic novel. 

Everything that was changed made sense to me, while still holding true to the things I loved about the characters and the original story. And the art was just beautiful throughout. I've seen a few different modern attempts at Anne of Green Gables (especially back in the "classics as vlogs" days) and this one is definitely my favorite. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

I think the book moved a little fast for me at points given the way it was more of a character study, but the characters were so lovable and I grew really attached to Island Books. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, and Suicide

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt

Minor: Sexual harassment

Impavidus by

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0