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bizzarley's reviews
26 reviews
Once by Morris Gleitzman
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The view of the holocaust through the innocent eyes of a child, beautifully moving and bittersweet.
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Very cheesy but ultimately well intentioned, Very well done and realistic characters - Bleak but hopeful, it balanced the two well! Kinda lost me with what happened to the one gay character but I very much enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
i LOVE this book so much, i really saw myself in the first view chapters and his struggle was so relatable. the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars is that the writing is a little dated, using some slurs towards minorities but other than that i adore this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, and Antisemitism
I Am Not a Number by Lisa Heathfield
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
This story depressed me in the best way and I really enjoyed it, A modern reminder of the grimmest parts of humanity. I think the reason this book upset me so much is how real it is, This could still very much happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, and Medical content
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ehhhhh it was okay, A bit generic. I liked Lilly and I was totally in love with Atlas but Ryle can eat a bag of dicks. I'm really happy with the ending even if it was a little rushed, Not my normal genre but an okay read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Heart-Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.25
Honestly kinda found this one a bit draggy at first and it only really impacted me towards the end, Even then the actual crime was a little underwhelming and cheesy. I adored the concept and the feeling of confusion on who I should be rooting for, I found a lot of the mental health stuff to be accurate. Overall a little cheesy but a great premise with decent execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Medical content, Murder, and Alcohol
The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
A beautifully human story, Truly an amazing view into the life of a Jewish person in WW2 but also a look into the humanity of people. This book truly touched me in a way I cannot describe, I am left feeling heavy hearted and changed; This is truly a book I think everyone should read in their lifetime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Genocide, Misogyny, Medical content, and Grief
It's Behind You by Kathryn Foxfield
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
Okay so I wasn't really 100% sold on this when I started reading it but I was HOOKED after just a few chapters, I honestly really adored both Lex and Python and was stressing about their fate the entire book. Tense, kinda scary and spooky but also funny with unique characters! The only thing stopping me from rating it 5 stars is that its very cheesy but in the best way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism
City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
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 thought this was a YA when I picked it up and was a bit dissapointed when I saw it was a middle grade story but its written SO well! Its so very charming with a strong atmosphere and I really really enjoyed it! A good start to spooky month!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child death
Afterlove by Tanya Byrne
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
Brutal and sad but also warm and sweet, I really truly felt the love between the two main characters pouring out of the pages. The side characters, Esen especially, stole the show for me, I love her so much. Only complaint was the pacing was a little off, Really slow at the start and break neck at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia and Car accident
Minor: Chronic illness