mcicenia's reviews
31 reviews

Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.75

this novel was everything. it reset me. the prose pulled me in and forced me to read closely, something i’ve struggled with lately. id recommend this book to any person, but specifically queer folks who are struggling to see their own worth in a world that insists they’re less than. 
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Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

i get really annoyed by the writing in this. the need to spell out every characters identity makes it feel like the diversity is added just for the sake of it. 
The Membranes by Chi Ta-wei

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mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

wowww. file this under the what the fuck did i just read category. so brilliant. the twist! i loved every second of this book
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

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

3.25

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

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lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.25

I liked this one a lot better than the first book. i felt like the philosophical topics were a bit more interesting and well fleshed out. but maybe that’s because it reminds me of claire and the unicorn. 
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

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dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

I really enjoyed this book! Incredible and expansive world building is coupled perfectly with enjoyable character arcs and a unique plot. It explores themes of politics in an interesting approach and also has a few slow-burn queer romances which I really appreciated. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
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Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

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challenging 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? It's complicated

5.0

One of my fav books I’ve read this past couple of years. features a sapphic couple with a poly character, as well as a minor trans/nb character. a really sharp witted satire with dark and insightful commentary on the prison industrial system. 
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A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

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inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

(ps to my zero followers, i’m going to start reviewing books in a way that’s helpful for me to remember so i can recommend to other people. normal reviews on gr.) 

really cozy read ! lots of substance despite the short read. a nice addition to the “queer characters where their queerness isn’t centered.” excited to read more in this series!
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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? It's complicated

3.75

a trans violinist, sexy bombshell who made a deal with the devil, and space captain turned donut maker walk into a bar…
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

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

5.0

damn bitch that’s what you get for beating your wife
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