wretchedtheo's reviews
438 reviews

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Slick and satisfying thriller.

The Essential Dykes to Watch Out for by Alison Bechdel

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funny slow-paced

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

4.25

Massive, foundational and downright addictive.

Ghost World by Daniel Clowes

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reflective sad medium-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

3.75

Let me just say I get it. I understand what Ghost World has to say. I really do. But the art style is just so ugly, and it's hard to enjoy a story that's just two people bitching constantly up until the last two chapters.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

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dark reflective medium-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

3.0

Unimpressive.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

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mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Predictable twist, indifferent style.

Set in Stone by Stela Brinzeanu

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

The poorly written product of a lukewarm liberal selling out her own culture for western attention, Set in stone was conceptually attractive to me (I'm, sapphic Romanian and love historical fiction) but failed to deliver.
First of all, the two lovers have no personality or chemistry. A lesbian romance set in a repressive medieval environment should be brimming with passion and bewitching attraction; SHOW ME why these two ladies can't bear to be appart despite all the obstacles in their path! But no. Their romance comes out of nowhere and is so boring.
The story is full of cultural inaccuracies and inconsistencies, too many to list here. The author cherrypicks from Moldovan culture whatever is convenient for her story and ignores the rest. Milquetoast liberalism and white feminism pervade the story, accompanied by good old racism. Ah yes, the rich white girl is just as oppressed as the rroma slave - a bellydancing and fortune telling stereotype. Ugh.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

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emotional funny sad medium-paced