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baponthecob's reviews
68 reviews
Boys Run the Riot, Volume 1 by Keito Gaku
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
so refreshing to see a trans person be treated the same as anyone else regardless of his identity. a good mix of very real trans struggles, but also the hopeful side where there is community and acceptance :))
Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Not a fan of instalove, but I was able to forget about that and this couple is actually really lovable. At first, I thought Isabel was annoying, but then I realized she's just like me... And she gets character development. It's really refreshing to see teenagers being able to communicate and resolve their fights and think critically. And I like how everything wasn't just neatly tied up with a little bow at the end; it was realistic, but still hopeful. Also, we love a bi king.
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Painfully average. I couldn't really get invested in the main character or the romance.
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
hopeful
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
4.0
I'm not going to lie, I feel like they're the kind of couple that will break up after high school. But they're cute for now and that's fine.
When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
While i love the endgame couple's dynamic, i just can never understand fast romances like this. do allos really fall in love that fast? they had chemistry and friendship and everything i love in a couple, but i wish there was more pining.
however, i know that this is what a lot of people dream of for a relationship. the overall themes of friendship and staying true to yourself really resonated with me and carried me away with the story. usually, too-fast romance takes me out of things, but i was able to forget about that and just enjoy that this is Noah's life right now and he's figuring things out and things will be messy. it was a story about hope. i dont think it needed to be realistic, but it was anyway
however, i know that this is what a lot of people dream of for a relationship. the overall themes of friendship and staying true to yourself really resonated with me and carried me away with the story. usually, too-fast romance takes me out of things, but i was able to forget about that and just enjoy that this is Noah's life right now and he's figuring things out and things will be messy. it was a story about hope. i dont think it needed to be realistic, but it was anyway
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
adventurous
hopeful
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
4.0
the pacing was on the fast side for me. this book couldve benefitred from a little more nuance, but I understand that's not the kind of story everyone wants to tell.
the characters and relationships were realistic, although I think the romance was too rushed. so was the resolution. realistically, things get messy and there are ups and downs, and awkwardness, and unsureness before you can really go back to being true friends with someone you've disconnected from. I'm envious of the optimistic ending, but i think that makes me appreciate it more
I think I read this book at the right time in my life. it's given me hope that maybe things will turn out ok
the characters and relationships were realistic, although I think the romance was too rushed. so was the resolution.
I think I read this book at the right time in my life. it's given me hope that maybe things will turn out ok
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Bullying
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Blood, and Vomit
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A truly phenomenal book. Definitely holds up 9 years after the first time I read it in grade school.
My only real criticism is that we dont see enough of the Owenses. It really seems like Silas is the one who raised Bod. (I mean, Bod literally called him dad that one time.)
Of course, I know that his parents love him so much, but it would have been amazing to see them being a family more often.
It feels like for the most part, they dismissed Bod a lot bc they wanted to protect him. Silas was the only one who was straight with him.
Also, I'm glad the massive fucking tree trunk eventually fell out of Miss Lupescu's ass, but why was she such an asshole at first anyway???
Overall, I loved seeing Bod grow up and learn about the world and make friends :( it was really heartwarming to see how much everyone in the graveyard cared about him.
The ending was really bittersweet, and it hits different as someone who is supposed to have hit adulthood and gained independence already. But, yk, the time comes when it comes.
My only real criticism is that we dont see enough of the Owenses. It really seems like Silas is the one who raised Bod. (I mean, Bod literally called him dad that one time.)
Of course, I know that his parents love him so much, but it would have been amazing to see them being a family more often.
It feels like for the most part, they dismissed Bod a lot bc they wanted to protect him. Silas was the only one who was straight with him.
Also, I'm glad the massive fucking tree trunk eventually fell out of Miss Lupescu's ass, but why was she such an asshole at first anyway???
Overall, I loved seeing Bod grow up and learn about the world and make friends :( it was really heartwarming to see how much everyone in the graveyard cared about him.
The ending was really bittersweet, and it hits different as someone who is supposed to have hit adulthood and gained independence already. But, yk, the time comes when it comes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Car accident, and Alcohol
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Honestly I wasn't initially that compelled by a first contact story, but I became really invested in the plot and characters??? April May felt so real. She's kind of a shit, but that's the point. I relate to the parts of her that are impulsive and want to sabotage her relationships and are overly prideful to hide how she's deeply insecure. She wasn't some kind of hero; she was just. A person.
I love how she had to learn that she couldnt do everything by herself. She had to let go of her pride and allow herself to be vulnerable, and to admit that she needs help.
The writing style threw me off at first bc it was so casual, but I ended up liking it. Hearing it on an audiobook made it feel like something a regular person actually documented. Kind of refreshing compared to what I've read lately
The pacing was fast for me, but it didnt bother me too much. Maybe some of April's traits could have been built up to instead of her kind of info dumping before something happened. But overall, not a big deal
That cliffhanger at the end should be illegal though 😔 jail
I love how she had to learn that she couldnt do everything by herself. She had to let go of her pride and allow herself to be vulnerable, and to admit that she needs help.
The writing style threw me off at first bc it was so casual, but I ended up liking it. Hearing it on an audiobook made it feel like something a regular person actually documented. Kind of refreshing compared to what I've read lately
The pacing was fast for me, but it didnt bother me too much. Maybe some of April's traits could have been built up to instead of her kind of info dumping before something happened. But overall, not a big deal
That cliffhanger at the end should be illegal though 😔 jail
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Medical content