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librarymouse's reviews
428 reviews
System Collapse by Martha Wells
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
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
5.0
These books are so comforting and so easy to read. I didn't realize this was the last one currently out in this series. I almost definitely plan on rereading this series soon. Murderbot is a fantastic narrator and I really enjoy its journey towards learning to accept that it is loved and loves others in return. This book expanded in really interesting ways on the variances in human culture in corporate systems vs places of refuge like the Preservation Alliance and ART's university. Great world building and engaging storytelling to bring ART's crew further into the fold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder
Encounter at Farpoint by David Gerrold
adventurous
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
4.0
A great novelization of the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. So much of the show's subtext is just text on the page, and I enjoyed getting glimpses of other characters' perspectives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, War
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I read this for a Halloween reading challenge. It's a fine read, but I've enjoyed retellings of it far more in the past.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Threatening looming.
Undeath & Taxes by Drew Hayes
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
The format of this series is so endearing. Fred sharing his journal entries to make sure other newly turned vampires, whom he adamantly believes to be good people, don't feel alone. Fred, his friends, and his adamance at continuing his normal life as much as possible make this series so entertaining and enjoyable, while still holding true to vampire, etc. lore. I like the wrench in the machine that is Gideon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit
The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes
dark
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was a fun take on vampires and fantasy lore. Initially, I was somewhat resistant to the way Hayes, and by proxy, Fred was describing Krystal. It read like a slightly less skeevy version of Jim Butcher's male gaze, making all women out to be sex objects and manic pixie dream girls, but as I read on, Krystal grew into a round and dynamic character. She isn't just pretty. She's pretty in a surprising way to Fred because of who they both were growing up, and that plays into her abilities and job requirements as an agent. I also really enjoyed that this series is set in a city other than New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. I also am liking the vignette format. It reads like a connected collection of short stories, glossing over the boring parts of life. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
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, 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, 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, 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