tas_takes_down_the_man's reviews
146 reviews

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

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hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

I’m glad I read it but I don’t know how much of the information was new to me. Was a long read but very interesting. 
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious 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

3.0

I hated this reader’s voice in PJO but it fits way better in this case. 
The twist was unexpected but this book was just a bit too long. 
Loved the almost enemies-to-lovers relationship between Yadriel and Julian. 
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

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emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Classic Matt Haig. I wish I had a physical copy so I could make my own notes and flag different pages. 
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

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

3.75

Finally got a chance to read this book and it was beautifully written but I wish there had been more exploration into dragons and their make up. 
I was expecting many more stories of discoveries but the book focused mostly on one of the MC’s adventures. 
The Disenchantment by Celia Bell

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

4.0

Intriguing historical fiction. Loved the vocal dynamics of the reader as each character had a very distinct voice. I wish there was more distinction between who was the speaker in some scenes because it got a bit confusing when a chapter started without establishing the setting/main character. 
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

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challenging dark hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.5

Great taste breaker. I liked that Matt Haig was the one who read his book. Felt like a friend telling me a story. 
What Stalks Among Us by Sarah Hollowell

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dark funny 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

4.0

Loved the fat representation in Sadie. It felt so true to my own experience and brutally honest. 

The concept of the maze was insane and I loved all the twists and turns. It could have been a little shorter in my opinion but I guess that adds to the endless feeling of the maze. 
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

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

4.5

Would have been 5 stars if Jaime and Claire would have stopped having sex for one fricking second! 
Otherwise, an excellent story and fascinating world to discover and unpack. Loving the Scottish heritage and lore that surrounds the MC. 
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
I don’t know what is going on in this book. You barely knew what was going on previously but the voice was intoxicating. 
We Don't Swim Here by Vincent Tirado

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

3.75

Interesting concept and the characters could have been something special but there was something off about the story until the last hour that just didn’t flow right. 
The narrator was great for the characters but it was difficult to hear the different characters a couple times.