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clacksee's reviews
1112 reviews
Lucas by MJ James
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I love the inclusiveness and acceptance in this book. Absolutely delightful to see.
This story felt like it wasn’t as fully developed as it should have been. It really would have benefited from another round of developmental work. It also needed to be a bit longer to more fully flesh out the world building and character craft.
Still, I’ll continue reading the series.
This story felt like it wasn’t as fully developed as it should have been. It really would have benefited from another round of developmental work. It also needed to be a bit longer to more fully flesh out the world building and character craft.
Still, I’ll continue reading the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Violence, and Gaslighting
Diversify by June Sarpong
challenging
hopeful
informative
4.0
When everyone is equal, we all benefit. The only way we’re ever going to improve life on Earth is by working together.
This book is broken down into sections, each of which focuses on a different way in which some people see othered. The author dogs in to each one and talk about how we can improve everyone’s lives by working together and being inclusive.
I’m so glad this book exists.
But…
A non-disabled cis-het woman was not the right person be writing the sections on disability or queerness. For example, while advocating for making the world more inclusive of disabled people, she repeatedly uses dated and/or offensive terminology.
Top marks for the ideas and the intent. But the execution (in some sections) needs improvement.
This book is broken down into sections, each of which focuses on a different way in which some people see othered. The author dogs in to each one and talk about how we can improve everyone’s lives by working together and being inclusive.
I’m so glad this book exists.
But…
A non-disabled cis-het woman was not the right person be writing the sections on disability or queerness. For example, while advocating for making the world more inclusive of disabled people, she repeatedly uses dated and/or offensive terminology.
Top marks for the ideas and the intent. But the execution (in some sections) needs improvement.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.75
This book gives insight into why the Trump family – and Donald in particular – are the way they are. I don’t think it’s vital that people read this, but it is interesting.
What a horrible family. And now they’re going to destroy the world.
And I get it – we’ve had similar characters in my own family (but without money). Escaping their influence is hard to do. They make it hard to do.
One thing I found confusing: the names. There’s a Friederich, a Fred, a Freddy, and a Fritz. There’s Mary Sr, Maryanne, and Mary Jr. and of course Donald and his son Donald. Ivana and Ivanka. I mean, I get it. Those are their names; nothing the author can do about that. But it still makes for confusing reading.
What a horrible family. And now they’re going to destroy the world.
And I get it – we’ve had similar characters in my own family (but without money). Escaping their influence is hard to do. They make it hard to do.
One thing I found confusing: the names. There’s a Friederich, a Fred, a Freddy, and a Fritz. There’s Mary Sr, Maryanne, and Mary Jr. and of course Donald and his son Donald. Ivana and Ivanka. I mean, I get it. Those are their names; nothing the author can do about that. But it still makes for confusing reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
‘Plot, plot, and plot! What is plot?’
Becky Chambers, probably
Such a fun, cosy, uplifting, feel good story. No plot to speak of, but adorable characters galore.
Patricia Rodriguez’s voice grates on me a bit, but that’s very much a personal taste issue.
Becky Chambers, probably
Such a fun, cosy, uplifting, feel good story. No plot to speak of, but adorable characters galore.
Patricia Rodriguez’s voice grates on me a bit, but that’s very much a personal taste issue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Xenophobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry
The Drowning Hour by S.K. Tremayne
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
PTSD is keeping Hannah trapped on a small island. The only thing on the island is the hotel where she lives and works … and business isn’t going well.
I was quite enjoying this one, though the ending felt very rushed and out of place. The solution seemed to come from left field and then suddenly everything was wrapped up with a neat little bow.
But at least the dog lives.
I was quite enjoying this one, though the ending felt very rushed and out of place. The solution seemed to come from left field and then suddenly everything was wrapped up with a neat little bow.
But at least the dog lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Journey Home by May Barros
adventurous
I feel like I read the outline to a novel rather than having actually read a finished short story.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
medium-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
Two strangers, Kel and Lilah, get caught up in adventures through four different versions of eighteenth-century London.
It was good; I just wasn’t the right reader.
It was good; I just wasn’t the right reader.
Haunted: A Hallowe'en Adventure by Steph Shangraw
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.75
Sweet, cosy paranormal adventure filled with adorable characters exploring a strange abandoned house on Hallowe’en night.
This would have benefited from a thorough edit to tighten the story a bit, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This would have benefited from a thorough edit to tighten the story a bit, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A Terrible Village Poisoning by Hannah Hendy
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
4.75
Margery and Clementine leave Dewstow on a rare holiday – only to find themselves suspected of murder in nearby St-Martins-on-the-Water. What a way to spend their anniversary.
Fun, chaotic cosy mystery with a sapphic twist.
Fun, chaotic cosy mystery with a sapphic twist.
The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale
dark
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
Sally finally strikes back at her abusive husband, killing him with her grandmother’s cast-iron pan. When three other women in the neighbourhood have similar problems, they have to work together to figure out what to do.
Darkly hilarious and deeply twisted. It’s so hard – trust me – to write good, entertaining stories that bring the funny without minimising the seriousness of the subject matter. Casale succeeds on both counts.
Darkly hilarious and deeply twisted. It’s so hard – trust me – to write good, entertaining stories that bring the funny without minimising the seriousness of the subject matter. Casale succeeds on both counts.