gossamer_lens's reviews
1362 reviews

The Chimes by Charles Dickens

Go to review page

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

4.0

The first few pages reminded me... I well and truly love Dickens' style of writing. It is so full of descriptions, repeating for emphasis, wit and banter. I love it! This story didn't feel as classically crafted as his Christmas Carol. But the moral, characters and tale were charming, poignant and very relevant in modern times. If someone likes the Christmas Carol and hasn't ever gotten to this, I do think they would enjoy it a lot. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Go to review page

dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I typically gravitate towards books that are strong in themes... this one wasn't. But what it lacked there it made up for in the melodramatic. It was emotional, sad, romantic, and complicated. Wharton's characters have a strong sense of reality. They are complicated,and messy and my heart couldn't help feeling for them even while judging them immensely. If you want a short, passionate, and sad book this would be the one for you!
Foster by Claire Keegan

Go to review page

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

4.25

Nothing about the setting, characters or circumstances felt remarkable.... And that wa sits beauty. It was a very nicely written insight into a young girls summer away from home. I wish there was more to this book so I could have understood her fear and family better. But maybe that was half the enjoyment was the mystery of the specifics.
To see her heart warmed, her anxiety calmed, and people find love... It was lovely.
 
A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman, Rafael Albuquerque, Rafael Scavone

Go to review page

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

4.25

A very fun and solid Lovecraftian spin on Sherlock Holmes with fun nods to other gothic tales, like Doctor Jekyll Mr. Hyde. The art was pretty great and the vibes were amazing!
Phantom of the Opera by Time Princess

Go to review page

3.5

Fun and lighthearted. This choose your own adventure remake worked very well. While I don't like Phantom of the Opera, I actually enjoyed this as it felt like I could say no to the things about the story that I don't like. 
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Go to review page

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

2.75

I feel like maybe I should have liked this book more... But I just didn't. The heavy handed food thruline was just grating. I didn't particularly connect with any character. Weird things happened that just felt... Wrong? Like a bi girl getting beaten up by a lesbian because she went out with a boy... Idk. Just weird and not believable in how it played out. A lot of the book felt a bit removed from reality and like it cared about liberal things... But came at them in the most odd traditional way that almost felt like it was making a joke of things? 

I just couldn't get into it. But I have to give it slightly less then a 3 star because I could manage to finish it without hating it and the way it was written was interesting even if a little disjointed and not smoothly executed. 
How to Talk to Girls At Parties: The Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman, Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Just so very odd in a good way. The beginning started off a bit slow and I didn't care for the characters much. But conceptually it was there and the ending was just so odd and mysterious and intriguing. 
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I could ding this down because the book is written in the parameters of a different time with a different understanding of gender and sexuality. Different terms and/or lack of them. But I just have to give it 5 stars because despite it's struggles, with the narration being from the point of view of a clearly misogynistic man (most of the time) with very clear flaws but hope and drive for the improvement of society... all flaws just read as the flaws of the main character. So it works beautifully and any hangups I might have completely slide by. It was inventive, innovative, thought-provoking, and just plain fun while handling so much else.  
Chivalry by Christina Pickles, Neil Gaiman

Go to review page

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

5.0

Just charming, fun, and beautifully illustrated. It had all the whimsy I want from this author when I ready his books. What was the point? Idk. But I enjoyed the pure pleasantness and breath of themes in it. 
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel, Volume 2 by Neil Gaiman

Go to review page

adventurous dark hopeful 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? No

4.75

A very solid second half to the continuing story. I really enjoyed the illustrations of Bod growing up and this half gets a slightly higher rating for more then book 1 just due to my enjoying the themes around growing up and becoming an adult quite a lot. When I first read this book the first half was more my speed. This time around, this half really struck me. It was fun to pickup as a graphic novel to experience the story in a new way.