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hebrin's reviews
83 reviews
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Mossflower by Brian Jacques
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
The Walking Cat: A Cat's-Eye View of the Zombie Apocalypse by Tomo Kitaoka
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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
4.0
The Promised Neverland, Vol. 1 by Posuka Demizu, Kaiu Shirai
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
As the kids are trying to uncover the truth and strategize, the manga pulls you into it, and trying to anticipate the twists is exciting. Definitely a page turner that hooks into you real quick and easy.
Lobizona by Romina Garber
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
Def a young adult book.
It is a magical journey, but also very real in the sense of how living as an "other" is alienating, and the struggles that brings. This book strives to give voice to those that feel that they don't belong, to give courage and strength in the face of adversity. It also goes on about living in America and hiding from ICE fearing deportation because they live there illegally as her mother was running for her life. There's a lot going on and to unfold in here, but it all folds into itself nicely.
Unfortunately this book is a little too fantastical in that things work out a little too well, like the MC is super lucky throughout the whole thing; the people she meets and rooms with, and who they're friends with is all very coincidental. The book does drive home that the ones that have issues with her may be the loudest, but they are the few.
A few F bombs which are not out of place or edgy. There are a few moments where the book wanted to get really spicy, and if it was not a YA book it probably would've.
The narrator did a fantastic job, though the sound quality could've been better for the loud/yelling parts, but there are not many of those and it's not too jarring.
I give the book itself a 3 rating, but bumped it up to 3.5 due to the narration.
It is a magical journey, but also very real in the sense of how living as an "other" is alienating, and the struggles that brings. This book strives to give voice to those that feel that they don't belong, to give courage and strength in the face of adversity. It also goes on about living in America and hiding from ICE fearing deportation because they live there illegally as her mother was running for her life. There's a lot going on and to unfold in here, but it all folds into itself nicely.
Unfortunately this book is a little too fantastical in that things work out a little too well, like the MC is super lucky throughout the whole thing; the people she meets and rooms with, and who they're friends with is all very coincidental. The book does drive home that the ones that have issues with her may be the loudest, but they are the few.
A few F bombs which are not out of place or edgy. There are a few moments where the book wanted to get really spicy, and if it was not a YA book it probably would've.
The narrator did a fantastic job, though the sound quality could've been better for the loud/yelling parts, but there are not many of those and it's not too jarring.
I give the book itself a 3 rating, but bumped it up to 3.5 due to the narration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Grief, and Deportation
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
For a memoir written by a 15 year old, this was a fun inspiring autobio, dealing with exclusion, acceptance, and feeling and living your true self. Jazz is very aware that she was extremely fortunate to have grow up with money, it almost drips with wealthy privilege at times, but she tries her best to address that and make sure her message can be heard and applied by everyone.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Very well done! There are a few chapters that just... the narrator just couldn't keep me interested. It was also a bit jarring going between some of the chapters too. Otherwise, it was executed super well and the level of detail was kinda crazy.
The Conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russell, Liveright by Bertrand Russell
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.25
For a book that was written almost 100 years ago, a lot of what was conveyed still holds true today. That isn't to say some parts are definitely dated, but the overall message is inspiring and gives an appealing outlook on how to view happiness, yourself, and the world around you.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-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? No
4.0
I want to give it a higher rating, but this is not an audiobook to listen to while driving in stressful traffic to and from work. This is soothing, and takes you on a wonderful visual journey that deserves more attention than driving allows. I may try this audiobook again but just lay in bed or on the couch, all nice and cozy. It's mindful, almost meditative, and brings a much wider perspective. And yes, there is a natural disaster all the while the story is unfolding, and it's sad but also hopeful in ways that helps make the novel grounded.
Summer Camp for Slasher Victims by Matthew Mercer
dark
funny
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? Yes
5.0
A great campground slasher! The book pulls you in, getting to know the characters, and a bit of a buildup with eerie stories to get you uncomfortable, and then like any good slasher it ramps up to 11 and I couldn't stop reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Grief