dmbooks's reviews
92 reviews

Fail Seven Times by Kris Ripper

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emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

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Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

TITAN by Mado Nozaki

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I liked the exploration of concepts, and some of the really cool imagery in the story, even if it seemed like a lot to try to do in one book vs a series. I do wish there had been one or a couple more likeable human characters besides the main character, but I’m not sure if the author maybe chose it this way to emphasize the growing connection between the mc and the main AI character or the growing like ability of the main AI character as it was developing. I was a little perplexed by the choice for the ending, but it was still dramatic and good. 
Tantalus Depths by Evan Graham

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

3.5

I think it accomplished it’s goal in what it wanted to be. For me, beginning/middle was more intriguing in terms of concept and the characters, while the end was more action-packed sequences and left me wanting a bit more of a story. I do think it would do well as a film. 
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Self-Portrait with Nothing by Aimee Pokwatka

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

I knew immediately I’d love this book from the premise (multiverse stuff is my favorite). I enjoyed the almost poetic little texts between the main character and her spouse. It felt very cinematic in moments with the traveling and suspense and reveals. Definitely will recommend to others! 
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

This one didn’t captivate me as much as the first two - it fell a little flat for me. I think it could be because it focused on more on plot related to separate characters, and not as much in-depth character development and found family like in the first two. I liked that there were younger and older characters though, and it was still fun and interesting with beautiful bits of writing. 
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Be Not Afraid of Love: Lessons on Fear, Intimacy, and Connection by Mimi Zhu

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emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

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A House Between Earth and the Moon by Rebecca Scherm

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mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No

3.5

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A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This may have been my favorite read this year. I am still thinking about this book regularly after finishing. 

I loved the characters, and the way the plot developed. Great imagery and creativity. I liked that the author didn’t shy away from the hard things the characters were navigating (neglect, and navigating a new physical embodiment, etc) and also at the same time gave the reader a sense of comfort that good things were happening for these folks after all they had been through. As someone with complex trauma it was nice to follow characters who were navigating these things and finding community and purpose. Following the characters ups and downs, both the big dramatic life-changing moments and the more mundane made it feel really real. I will be recommending this to everyone I know who may like it, I’m sure. 
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5