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librarymouse's reviews
393 reviews
M Is for Monster by Talia Dutton
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.0
This was a wonderfully nuanced retelling of Frankenstein, in which Frankenstein's creation is loved, but not for who she truly is, and in which she has a guide who walks her through what is to be expected of her in the life she is inhabiting. M being curious, gentle, creative, and childlike is such a sweet take on Frankenstein's creation, with her being embraced by the community and by Gin, even as her deviance from Maura's mannerisms is rejected by Frances. Giving Frances a partner who is given equal agency in their life and within the story to interact with M and to offer feedback, criticism, and love to Frances sets her on a far better and less internally and externally destructive path than her namesake in Mary Shelley's novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
This was an informative and interesting glimpse into the program that blossomed into the GI bill, which opened up higher education to the masses. Every time I read about World War II, I understand patriotism. However, whatever feelings of patriotism I've had peter out and die when faced with the reality of American politics both then and now. The red tape implemented by the government in terms of acquisition and distribution, and the attempts to halt service members from voting while overseas is sickening. Service members finding comfort and escape from the horrors of war in books makes these historical figures into the humans they were.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny
Fox 8 by George Saunders
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fox 8 is so cute, and so sad. I love having a fox as a non-human narrator. Fox 8's grasp of English makes for such a sweet, funny, and heartbreaking perspective on curiosity, life, death, and the cruelty of humans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal death
Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoy Adam Ellis's web comics, and it was great to see the ending of some of the ones teased on his social media. Some of the stories were interesting. Others were anticlimactic, but I enjoyed getting to read more about the inspiration behind the comics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Child death
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
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? No
5.0
I really enjoyed this one, but hopping back in time, before the events of the series' previous novel made it feel like I was reading them out of order. Great twist ending, and the plot provides a really interesting backdrop for learning more about Preservation's history!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder
Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I liked having Mensah's perspective on the issue of GrayCris, and to see her enjoyment of Murderbot's sense of humor.
Network Effect by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
tense
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
5.0
This book is more sweary-y than its shorter counterparts. It's nice to see Murderbot's personality grow as it shifts into a less-sec-unit-exclusive way of living. It was also great to get ART back and learn more about its crew. I should be transparent that I read the first 5 books in the series in a week and I'm batch reviewing them. Some of the contents blends together. It's really interesting to see Amena and Murderbot's relationship develop, and to see how it's come to love and be love as it's able.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
An engaging addition to the series! I should be transparent that I read the first 5 books in the series in a week and they all kind of blur together, but I did enjoy this one, especially with Murderbot reconnecting with the crew that freed it from The Company.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Slavery
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Murderbot interacting with different types of bots, constructs, and programs is really cool to read about. The idea of Murderbot being a voice in Mickey's head under the name Consultant Ren and navigating/learning through Mickey's eyes was unique and well executed, especially with the added twist of Mickey privately messaging Abene to hold up their lie when Murderbot has to reveal itself to save them. Mickey is such a sweet, trusting, and overall lovely creature and it's relationship with Abene prompting Murderbot to have some feelings/introspection about why it's having those feelings is a really cool (and dare I say human) touch, especially for a narrator who is pointedly and adamantly not a person.
I really enjoy that these are monster-of-the-week style books while still having an overarching plot.
I really enjoy that these are monster-of-the-week style books while still having an overarching plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
fast-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
5.0
Murderbot is picking up strays and making friends (and killing people, but they're bad so it's okay)! Fun, fast, well-written read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder