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adhesivedolphin's reviews
105 reviews
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed the reflection on colonialism as seen through the apocalyptic lens. I also enjoyed learning more about the Anishinaabe life. Sadly, this book was a little too slow for me. It felt like a novella, with little happening page to page. I expected it to be more apocalyptic on a larger scale, but it was specifically about a community cut off for a winter. From the perspective of this book, only the community matters, with a total of three groups arriving throughout the first winter. The sequel promises more of what I liked best about this book.
We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really wanted to love this book, and the fact that I didn't is likely due entirely to the fact that I'm not a huge fan of enemies to lovers. Once the love interests talked openly and honestly about their feelings, I started to like their relationship, but I didn't totally buy the 'why I was mean to you' reasoning from the love interest. Overall, I liked the world, the lead characters and the Latinx representation.
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
As with most collections of stories, the titular story is probably the best one. There are seven short stories in this collection, all of which are framed around race and reconciliation (or often, failed 'attempts'). Boys Go to Jupiter was a very unsettling story, which was worth the read. Honestly, Why Won't Women Just Say What They Want? did that too. The writing is fabulous, and the stories that didn't spark for me exist for someone else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
dark
emotional
reflective
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
I found the middle of this book deeply engaging, but it took too long to get to the heart of things. For those dealing with parental loss, I feel like this story might particularly appeal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
I read this book first in August 2018 and have read it twice more since then. This is one of those books that just draws me in time and time again. I love the exploration of self as seen through parallel universes. This is one of those books that's better because it's a YA, and where the character learning who she is and what she believes is actively shifting throughout the series. Love it!