adhesivedolphin's reviews
106 reviews

This Place: 150 Years Retold by Sonny Assu, Katherena Vermette, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Jen Storm, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley, David A. Robertson, Brandon Mitchell, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Richard Van Camp, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, Chelsea Vowel

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challenging emotional informative reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

I really love the idea of telling theses short stories and historical accounts of Indigenous history in Canada.  I found myself connecting most strongly with the narratives which happened during my life. Structuring it in order of time was a great idea. And ending on a future story was very creative and interesting. I'm not a huge non-fiction fan, but this is some important information and making it into a graphic novel was a great way to engage a new audience into these topics. 
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.25

It took me a while to understand where this book was going. There's a lot to understand about this world, and it slowly unfurls adding context. I really loved the letter writing/pen-pal dynamic. In many ways, this feels like a magical WWII story. 
All Systems Red by Martha Wells

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this little novella. Murderbot is such a compelling lead who I connected with deeply. I loved the members of the crew, and the mystery around what's happening on the planet is just deep enough to enjoy without being drawn out. The ending made me smile. Highly recommend.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

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emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book! Annie was immediately such an interesting and powerful lead. This book is full of trigger warnings for DV and connected issues of consent. It really explores the concept of abusive relationships in a setting where Annie literally has to obey him. It's an amazing expression of how sci-fi can be used to tell stories about life today. Beware the TW and stay safe!
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Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this one. The time travel tied to a reflection on how time in pandemics works. This is one I feel would be all the better on a re-read. There is a minor character in the story who has a whole book about them, which I did not read beforehand but I think would have added value to the read (next time!). Overall, a strong story with interesting characters that all comes together in the end (eve if that end feels a little rushed).
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

I haven't read a solo Gaiman book in a while and I'd forgotten just how dark and creepy they can be. They really give the vibe of Grimm's fairy tale in modern times. This is no exception. 
My father's eyes, my mother's rage by Rose Brik

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

I bought this book after seeing a few poems shared on social media. The poetry is powerful and I found myself tagging quite a few as ones I wanted to re-read later. But I feel like the collection could have been arranged better. There's a division between the sections on grief and depression, which I feel could have bene one section. As it was, the first two sections take up most of the book, which leads the later sections to feeling unfinished (or like there was less to say).
The Past Is Red by Catherynne M. Valente

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adventurous funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was an oddity in that the longer I read it, the more I liked it. I wouldn't say it stuck the start, but it nailed the ending. In the end, I think books that lean heavily into comedy aren't exactly my thing. I had hoped for more darkness in this book, and it's really strongly a slice of life. The twist at the end of the book was great, and I almost felt like it started too early in the story. While it has a good ending, it somehow still felt a little unfinished. I had the urge to read it again, just to try and understand how I both enjoyed and didn't enjoy this one. Oh, and I found the lead both annoying and deeply engaging, so I'd say that's a win. 
And What Can We Offer You Tonight by Premee Mohamed

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dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is one of those examples of a book that just wasn't for me. I liked the premise, and think it would appeal to people who are fans of Altered Carbon. That said, I didn't really enjoy the perspective from a character who isn't directly connected to revenge. I think I would have loved this book if the lead wasn't Jewel. 

I did enjoy the bits of new religion, but it was presented too aggressively. I enjoy figuring things out and when you do and then the author mentions it explicitly five more times, I feel like they don't trust me to 'get it'. 
Out of the Mirror, Darkness by Garth Nix

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dark mysterious fast-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

2.0

I liked the setting of this old Hollywood, cheaply made movie set, but that's about it. The idea of two characters falling into and endless sleep was creepy. But once the lead started trying to solve the issue, it felt like he was bored going about his work, which bored me. The ending was very anti-climatic.