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loquaciousleon's reviews
67 reviews
Playground by Richard Powers
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I thought there were a lot of elements of this book that made me remember why I love Richard Powers' writing/The Overstory.
This book had me sobbing by page 84, emotionally hooked.
~ Then ~
there were certain points where Richard Powers using AAVE in the book felt strained in a stereotypical way that was out of place; sometimes it felt like RP cared you heard HOW Rafi spoke rather than WHY Rafi spoke..
and there was a single throw-away paragraph on 65% of a single page, about a character ~ potentially ~ being queer in a way that felt more like a "I could make this character queer, but I won't". I can't help but feel this was both for appeasement to the audience and way for RP to avoid/not have to empathize with a queer person.
I understand the character is living in the 50's-80's to 2024. AND. there was no other HINTS of this person's identity or struggle other than that single "who knows? I could be" bit.
Other than that I felt most of the story was great...Though these things made me tentative to even think of a star rating.
This book had me sobbing by page 84, emotionally hooked.
~ Then ~
there were certain points where Richard Powers using AAVE in the book felt strained in a stereotypical way that was out of place; sometimes it felt like RP cared you heard HOW Rafi spoke rather than WHY Rafi spoke..
and there was a single throw-away paragraph on 65% of a single page, about a character ~ potentially ~ being queer in a way that felt more like a "I could make this character queer, but I won't". I can't help but feel this was both for appeasement to the audience and way for RP to avoid/not have to empathize with a queer person.
I understand the character is living in the 50's-80's to 2024. AND. there was no other HINTS of this person's identity or struggle other than that single "who knows? I could be" bit.
Other than that I felt most of the story was great...Though these things made me tentative to even think of a star rating.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
This book had me in tears. The translation definitely lost things that made it appear more surface level, though, it did not lose the spirit of what the author wanted to convey.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
medium-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
2.75
The harsh review is mostly because the men are unhealthy!! And I refuse.
(I would have given it a solid 3 if it wasn't for one character.)
This book was easy to get through and enjoyable because:
1. I got to talk to people about it.
2. S.J.M. had some decent writing that definitely hooked me in the beginning. (124 pages in my first sitting.)
Some of it made me either fall into very wonderful imagery, and some of it had me baffled. (Both in good and bad ways.) Through the tense trials towards the end, I was silently pleading S.J.M to stop with the Romance A Plot, and write books with more shit like that. I personally felt like that's where they shine.
3. It was kinda camp, and I don't usually read books like it, which made it an adventure.
I don't agree with the serious love OR serious hate for the series. Though, I can understand at least some places where both originate inside and outside this book.
(I would have given it a solid 3 if it wasn't for one character.)
This book was easy to get through and enjoyable because:
1. I got to talk to people about it.
2. S.J.M. had some decent writing that definitely hooked me in the beginning. (124 pages in my first sitting.)
Some of it made me either fall into very wonderful imagery, and some of it had me baffled. (Both in good and bad ways.) Through the tense trials towards the end, I was silently pleading S.J.M to stop with the Romance A Plot, and write books with more shit like that. I personally felt like that's where they shine.
3. It was kinda camp, and I don't usually read books like it, which made it an adventure.
I don't agree with the serious love OR serious hate for the series. Though, I can understand at least some places where both originate inside and outside this book.
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
Pierce Brown's ability to keep you guessing is literally unmatched.
I swear, things I thought the entire books would be about happened and transformed into something absolutely outlandish within 50 pages. In a way that felt realistic and captivating.
(Throughout ALL THREE BOOKS!!!)
In a way that had me gasping and holding the book over my head in disbelief.
I usually do not read series, to the point I will avoid books at all cost when I find they are, or mourn when I find out after I read them.
(except..this series. genuine thank you to lexi aka newlynova)
Yet, Pierce Brown has me curious to see about reading past this trilogy, (to books 4-6) and give other series/authors a chance.
(Though, if any could do it in a manner they did, I would be baffled.)
THESE BOOKS ARE NOT OVERHYPED!!
I swear, things I thought the entire books would be about happened and transformed into something absolutely outlandish within 50 pages. In a way that felt realistic and captivating.
(Throughout ALL THREE BOOKS!!!)
In a way that had me gasping and holding the book over my head in disbelief.
I usually do not read series, to the point I will avoid books at all cost when I find they are, or mourn when I find out after I read them.
(except..this series. genuine thank you to lexi aka newlynova)
Yet, Pierce Brown has me curious to see about reading past this trilogy, (to books 4-6) and give other series/authors a chance.
(Though, if any could do it in a manner they did, I would be baffled.)
THESE BOOKS ARE NOT OVERHYPED!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Odd Spirits by S.T. Gibson
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think this was a good short story, though it felt more like a YA novel that would be geared towards people beginning to learn about healthy relationships.
It rang true in some places, and fell short in others.
All in all, not bad, and was also not resonant to me!!
It rang true in some places, and fell short in others.
All in all, not bad, and was also not resonant to me!!
The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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 is a book I am glad Source let me cross paths with.
This is an author I will now add to my "Dinner Table" list.
This is an author I will now add to my "Dinner Table" list.
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
If you liked
- 'Life of Pi' and/or 'Dark Life'.
- Are intrigued by the premise/summary.
- Okay with storytelling that closely follows a graphic 3rd person narrative; walking through actions quite a bit.
you will like this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Abandonment
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
!!!
As someone who does not participate in book series, as I feel many are cash grabs or extended beyond necessity, Pierce Brown has me by the throat.
Dude, this series is worth the hype.
As someone who does not participate in book series, as I feel many are cash grabs or extended beyond necessity, Pierce Brown has me by the throat.
Dude, this series is worth the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, War, and Classism