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srm's reviews
1141 reviews
Allegro: A Novel by Ariel Dorfman
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Young Mozart finds himself wrapped up in a mysterious tale surrounding JS Bach, father of his mentor, JC Bach, an eye doctor, and Handel. The resolution of the mystery isn't necessarily typical if you're a mystery reader, but this novel is really all about the power of music.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content
Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
Such a remarkable tale, if it were fiction, it would be hard to believe. But this memoir of how the son of one of the founders of Hamas became an Israeli spy and then a Christian is exceptionally compelling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Police brutality, and War
Europa, Europa by Solomon Perel
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Whisper in the Wind by Luke Arnold
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
Not as compelling as previous books, and I don't love some of the choices. Also, the new characters aren't as interesting as the supporting cast in the earlier books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
The Suicides by Antonio Di Benedetto
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
One Foot in the Fade by Luke Arnold
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Fetch's latest attempt to bring magic back into the world is quite moving and exciting, but like HP7, it suffers from more camping than anyone needs. Still, I'm excited to have reread this one, and I'm excited for Book 4!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Alcohol
Four Against the Arctic: Shipwrecked for Six Years at the Top of the World by David Roberts
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Because so little is known about the men who survived 6 years in the Arctic in the 18th Century, this book is by necessity more adventures in research than adventures in cold weather survival. Still, Roberts is a compelling writer, so I enjoyed it all the same, if differently, from his other books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, and Medical content
Dead Man in a Ditch by Luke Arnold
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
I loved this just as much reading the paperback as I did listening to the audio. This series, about a human trying to bring magic back to the world after he helped end it, is just brilliant. Also, the end of this one totally made me cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd
challenging
mysterious
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
4.0
Honestly, I'm still thinking about how I feel about it all. But I definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content