tas_takes_down_the_man's reviews
146 reviews

Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

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challenging funny informative tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Pretty average storyline. I think this is a sign I don’t love sci-fi that much. 
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious sad medium-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? Yes

4.5

Loved this story! Also the breadcrumbing of information throughout the book. Would recommend. 
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

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

4.0

I ate this book up. The whole premise was fascinating! A combination of The Hunger Games and The Batchelor. There were a few moments that age the book as a 2023 era novel but other than that, no complaints. 
Mala's Cat by Mala Kacenberg

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challenging dark informative tense medium-paced

3.5

Good book to read in terms of content but the writing style was quite flat. Felt like I was reading someone’s diary and the creativity was lacking. Still would recommend. Read it in a day. 
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Can’t read Neil Gaiman anymore. Allegations are smoke signals. 
A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was so confused as to why Dany and Jon Snow weren’t there but the end cleared it up. I was kind of bored but powered through just to see what would be different to the series. I was glad to hear more about Lady Stoneheart again. 
The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror by Tori Bovalino

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Turns out, I hate short stories when they are all read by the same person. 
Coraline by Neil Gaiman

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Enjoyable enough. Loved listening to Neil Gaiman’s reading but I started reading this because I heard it was very different from the film but it kind of wasn’t. 
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

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adventurous mysterious sad tense 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

3.75

Beautiful novella. More prose than I’m used to but I would recommend it. Subtly queer and a fascinating retelling of the Little Mermaid. 
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Loved the context that is gives Pet and it was really sweet to hear the beginnings of Alo and Bitter’s relationship. 
Otherwise, this book was hectic but pertinent for the time it was written as well as today.