competencefantasy's reviews
830 reviews

Double Exposure by Bridget Birdsall

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challenging emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

Engrossing and readable from an underrepresented POV. The examples of bullying were heartbreaking. 
Dear Star Baby by Malcolm Newsome

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reflective 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? No

3.75

A very good resource with beautiful art, but it does personify the miscarried in a way that doesn't work for me.
Planning for Murder by Ellen Jacobson

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

A little... perfunctory maybe? Short and sweet
Meow If It's Murder by T.C. LoTempio

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

3.0

I just couldn't focus on it.
Murder at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers

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hopeful reflective fast-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

4.5

Just the right amount of serious for a cozy mystery.
Also I love Julia
The Seep by Chana Porter

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

The prose is very evocative and yet clear and forthright to read at the same time. The premise is fascinating and the themes are intriguing. 
A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

Dragging Mason County by Curtis Campbell

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

4.0

These characters are so sooo messy and hateable but also the author can really wrap up a book omg
Tegan and Sara: Junior High by Tegan Quin, Sara Quin

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

3.0

A Queerplatonic New Year by Katie Fouks

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

3.0

It's just SO on the nose