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strawhat_kd's reviews
71 reviews
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
James takes the story of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and flips in on it's head in this reimagining. Here we follow Jim and get his POV throughout. Many of the story beats are the same, but we see Jim's concerns, and the threats he faces for being a runaway slave at the time, and the crimes that he's being accused. But Jim is much more than a runaway slave and by the end of the book he's a completely different character than the one that we are introduced to in the beginning of the book. This a darker take too. Check your trigger warnings because there is some pretty graphic content within these pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Rape
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Addie LaRue is a young girl who makes a choice (a deal with the devil) and then has to live with that choice for the next 300 years. Throughout the time we see her fears, he heartbreak, her growth and more. It was really clever how Addie's story is told as we jump back and forth between her past experiences and the present. What I really loved about this story is how the details come together in the end. I don't want to give too many details away, but for a woman who no one remembers, she certainly hasa way of leaving her mark on the readers and the characters in the book.
The Bound Worlds by Megan E. O'Keefe
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
What a way to end the series. Everything we've seen and learned throughout the previous 2 books has its purpose and reasoning revealed here.Naira is going to go down as one of the top FMCS I've read. Her drive and will even in the face of impossible odds is amazing and she's one of those characters that makes everyone around her better. I enjoyed Tarquin 's growth here, because we got to see the man he realy is and it fits him well. Megan wrote this series in a way that even the parts that you may feel are slow, have significant placement in the story, and it's not Iong before we're moving through the plot at a break neck pace again. It's because of this couldn't put the series down and completed all 3 books in less than a week. If you're looking for a Sci-fi adventure with different elements introduced (horror, spy thriller, save the world) then this is the book, and the series for you.
The Fractured Dark by Megan E. O'Keefe
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Fractured Dark picks up shortly after the conclusion of The Blighted Stars. Just like it's predecessor the action picks up from the first few pages and continues to move at a break neck pace throughout. The tone of this is different too. Where The Blighted Stars had more of a horror feel to it, this feels more like a spy thriller. That change works well with the story. In certain moments, not knowing who can or cannot be trusted raises the intensity and is a big reason why I couldn't put this book down. The romance elements are still a little cheesy for me, but those moments are important to the story and certainly don't drag the book down. I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the series and what major revelations will see the light.
The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Really strong opening book. The Blighted Stars blends several different styles together for a fast-paced sci-fi adventure that will keep you glued to the book chapter after chapter. The romance element that was introduced was a little cheesy, but it helps drives the story and it sets up bigger stakes for the rest of the books in the series. I really enjoyed how Megan was able to blend the different plot elements together for a cohesive story even with everything that's going on. The pacing was superb. It constantly felt like just when things were starting to calm down, something else would happen and the action would ramp up again. I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Blade Itself is nothing like I thought it was going to be. Here we have a interesting story building in this first book of The First Law trilogy. We are introduced to the main characters, and what brings them together. The plot is building at an interesting pace and I'm hoping we learn more in the next book, Before They are Hanged. There is world building here and it's an interesting view of the world that we get because we have multiple POVs. One character's POV is hilariously twisted and I found myself laughing out loud several times. It was a great intro to the series and I'm looking forward to book 2. Steven Pacey narrates the audiobook and he's excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
James Baldwin introduces us to young couple, Tish and Fonny, who are preparing to bring a baby into the world in 1970s NYC. Fonny is serving time for a crime he didn't commit and his family is doing all the can to get him out. Amidst this backdrop, Baldwin shares their love story with us and how they came to be the couple that we know. We experience family drama, tense interactions and the dangers that come from daring to be a young black man or woman at the time. While I did enjoy the story that was told, the ending was abrupt, which left me with questions. I wish we could have learned more, but I guess that was James' whole point, to let you determine how their ending may have turned out.
Circe by Madeline Miller
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Such a great read! I read this on a whim and was absorbed immediately. Madeline Miller has a way of writing that sucks you in. Circe follows the titular character through her life. WAnd, what a journey it is. I knew very little of Circe outside of the fact that she was the mother of one of Odysseus' son that he sired in his long return trip home to Ithaca. This book takes Circe and expands upon that fact. She's a daughter, sister, mother, and so much more. The final chapters dragged on a little for me, but the payoff in the end was worth it.
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
Little Vera Wong came along and just captures everyone's heart in the most unsuspecting ways. With a murder mystery as the backdrop, we follow Vera around as shes tries to solve this mystery by herself, while also somehow, befriending the suspects. What we get it a fast paced story filled with found family vibes and a lot of heart. Looking forward to the sequel.