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mentat_stem's reviews
797 reviews
A Country of Ghosts by Margaret Killjoy
adventurous
informative
inspiring
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
4.75
Sweet Tooth Compendium by Jeff Lemire
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A Sign of the Times by Joe Hill
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Puzzleheart by Jenn Reese
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
The Lover by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Still marinating in my thoughts.
My favorite by Wendig by a mile and I enjoy his writing.
My favorite by Wendig by a mile and I enjoy his writing.
Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a clockwork sort of horror. Every scene, every thought, every repetitive noise all play their role.
This is a novella that could be staged as a play. Almost every scene is in a small room with 1-3 people. The larger world of both the haunting and the characters' criminal associates are told in exposition: small rays of information impotently attempting to dispel the claustrophobic shadows of the present.
Initially there's a hint of the supernatural in a creepy yet otherwise mundane setting. Every clue fills in a puzzle that contradicts reality. An off stage mob boss won't accept "ghost" for an answer. Along the way consent, enablement, fear and stubbornness are examined both sexually and supernaturally. The story crescendos to a satisfying magical confrontation.
A near perfect use of the novella length and a delightful overlap of crime, horror and literary character study.
This is a novella that could be staged as a play. Almost every scene is in a small room with 1-3 people. The larger world of both the haunting and the characters' criminal associates are told in exposition: small rays of information impotently attempting to dispel the claustrophobic shadows of the present.
Initially there's a hint of the supernatural in a creepy yet otherwise mundane setting. Every clue fills in a puzzle that contradicts reality. An off stage mob boss won't accept "ghost" for an answer. Along the way consent, enablement, fear and stubbornness are examined both sexually and supernaturally. The story crescendos to a satisfying magical confrontation.
A near perfect use of the novella length and a delightful overlap of crime, horror and literary character study.
Bright: A Memoir in Fragments by Kiki Petrosino
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
The fragments are numbered differently than the page numbers.
The fairy tale epigraphs blend seamlessly into the chapters they head.
I'm reminded that inside each marginalized group is a marginalized group. The fractal nature of this requires a matching fractal Intersectionality.
I love how the poet uses the structure of poetry to tell a story in prose. Uses academic techniques to illuminate personal insights.
Beautiful and highly recommended.
The fairy tale epigraphs blend seamlessly into the chapters they head.
I'm reminded that inside each marginalized group is a marginalized group. The fractal nature of this requires a matching fractal Intersectionality.
I love how the poet uses the structure of poetry to tell a story in prose. Uses academic techniques to illuminate personal insights.
Beautiful and highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Suicide
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
dANGER by Dal Cecil Runo
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The cadence of the prose is a highlight. There's a lot packed into a small package here. The alternating 1st person narration led us to question both accounts. It's cat and mouse noir with inlaid disability and LGBTQIA rep.