valerixia's reviews
145 reviews

The Survivors of the Clotilda: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the American Slave Trade by Hannah Durkin

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challenging dark informative sad

5.0

Impeccably researched and respectfully told, this is about the lives of enslaved people in America during the civil war and into the great depression. Stories from those who lived extraordinary lives, but who have ignored, until now.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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

4.5

The last third of this book is just twitter accounts. Some clever tells and insights into race and privilege. Kinda got The Other Black Girl vibes.
Mudlark: In Search of London's Past Along the River Thames by Lara Maiklem

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informative lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

Interesting look at London and its people current and past. Informed and Interesting author.
Schrader's Chord by Scott Leeds

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Really original, really fresh but yet evocative of King and Herbert, in a great way. Contemporary with hithic touches. Flew through thus, enjoyed it.
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

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adventurous dark tense medium-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

5.0

Barbarians, armies, battles and politics.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Long and dull and the characters are irritating. Hard to track names and places and give a damn about their political differences etc. Dragon battle towards the end was mint though .
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

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adventurous funny inspiring slow-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? N/A

5.0

Dare I say it, even better than L&Lattes... Characters fleshed put and less awkward, plot has more too it. Fabulous, flirty, cosy fantasy. 
Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman by Alan Rickman

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emotional funny reflective

5.0

What are you going to do, hit me with that, fish?
White Nights by Ann Cleeves

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

Writing was engaging and good. Plot and characters kinda blended into one, which didn't help with the Whodunnit aspect... but I didn't really care about the characters to give a damn either way. None of them felt interesting or likeable. Felt like the female murderer at the end was meant to be a shocker, but I was so fed up trying to keep track of who fancied who when i just wanted ro finish it so I could say I had....
Nothing to Lose (Jack Reacher, #12) by Lee Child

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Convoluted and dragged out... readable. No new tidbits about reacher. No bloody prime numbers either! Chold obviously very happy with his choice of place names.