michaelion's reviews
250 reviews

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

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

2.5

um girl what was that? i guess i kinda get it bc i too once wrote a meaningless story like this before. i too wish to be a flower / tree.
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Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

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

1.0

I have a 5 point system to rate books with which makes it almost impossible to give something less than 1 star. Please note, my 1 star rating is extremely generous.

The book was so bad and yet the worst book I've ever read that I didn’t DNF. That's the only thing keeping it from getting anything lower. It’s so bad on so many different levels. If this is on your shelf or tbr do yourself a favor and burn it. If you’re the author reading this review, do the world a favor and never write again. I don't even care if it’s a grocery list. Put the pen, the pencil, the computer, the typewriter DOWN. The cover says Kirkus Reviews called his writing stunning. I was stunned. I’m shocked. They really just be publishing anything. If you're a writer worried about not getting a book deal, worry not. And the most offensive part, this man is a teacher! If you read this book and this man was your teacher, I’m so sorry you learned nothing in whatever class he “taught”. I’m so sorry in general. I hated every page, almost every word. There was nothing beautiful or poetic about it. Don’t ever let me meet this author. How embarassing (for him)!
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Animal Farm by George Orwell

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dark funny informative 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? Yes

2.75

Um okay girl I guess. You really tried it tho. You'll never be Back at the Barnyard!

This book only works if you think the masses as a whole are stupid and inherently lazy and individualistic and people are inherently violent and evil. Yaaawn boring! Also Orwell never heard of show don't tell. It's no wonder this shit is read in every high school across the country. The devil may work hard but the CIA works harder.
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Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense

4.5

she's JUST like me and its not even funny. i hope she having a good day. i hope she's having an amazing day every day.
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The Midwinter Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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

3.75

Sad heartbroken depressed because this is the last book in the series. Molly Ostertag! The people want more!
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The Tattooed Soldier by Héctor Tobar

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dark emotional informative reflective 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

The ONLY flaw is the writing style. Not the writing, because even still it’s so poetic and beautiful, but the delivery could’ve been done better.

AND STILL, the book is so good I was like there’s no way I can give this anything less than 5 stars. As an honorary Latina by both nature and nurture, and my studies into Mesoamerican and Central American history, there are so many layers to this book that made me talk about it on the phone with my best friend for no less than two hours. This book should be studied! It really has it all. It's a lot like a movie / film. I know my perspective as a Californian is always gonna be close to Mexicans and other people from the Northern Triangle but I've heard stories like this before and I've seen these movies and it's heartbreaking how universal it is. Like sure not everyones story but too many peoples story. And Tobar found a way to make to into almost perfect literature. A timeless classic. It’s just so so beautiful and I try to keep my reviews short but I really could talk about this ALL day.
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The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag

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adventurous funny lighthearted reflective tense 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

Okay! The world gave me more! My baby boy! My baby girls! My lil sweet lil babies! And once again Ostertag's lovely art! Wooo!
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Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky

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lighthearted relaxing 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

3.25

I too am a late bloomer gay film student. Kind of a mix of Stay Gold and To All The Boys. I related to a lot of this its pretty cute and how cool would it be to have a partner who respected you and listened when you told them your boundaries?
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Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

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

3.5

Pretty cute. If I had a nickel for the times this year I read a story about kid of color and their loyal dog I’d have 2 nickels!
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The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

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emotional reflective tense 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

4.5

Autism dad, ADHD mom.

I knew exactly when to stop the book before the shit hit the lighthouse fan but I also knew I didn't wanna dnf! I also wanted to give it away but the ending was so lovely now I'm like I might as well keep it. That was so sweet and sad and beautiful. Extra points because this book actually got me to root for a man!
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