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st_ender's reviews
243 reviews
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
I think 18 year old me would eat it up. Unfortunately the handful of profound quotes I've seen thousands of times on Tumblr and also I've read Baldwin before so what was left was just a sad mess. I liked part 1 and then I was tired, but maybe I'm just tired of stories about drugs and bad anal.
Pulling the Wings Off Angels by K.J. Parker
adventurous
funny
fast-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? Yes
3.5
I have mixed feelings about this novella. I think the author is great at his craft. The writing is quick and witty, the pacing is great, and the structure and plot worked well. Unfortunately for me this exercise in theology and philosophy fell flat. There were some points I found well-aimed and quite clever, but overall outcome felt to me like talking to an atheist who was never religious. Like yes the points are good, but it's not nearly as brilliant and groundbreaking as you think. Overall it's okay, and I had a good time reading it, but it was frustrating at times and probably won't stay with me fore more than a week.
HellSans by Ever Dundas
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I approached the book with great enthusiasm and unfortunately I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth. I like the sci-fi way of dropping me in the middle of the story, I enjoyed figuring out technology and society, and I found the world building quite interesting. That's my one star.
Unfortunately the author is trying to make so many points they all get tangled up and lost. Plot points are dropped in and not developed or abandoned in favour of a different idea. I think there is enough good ideas here for a couple of books or short stories and I wish they weren't all packed in like this.
The novel tries to be a love story but the move from a hookup to I love yous is fast and pointless. I can only understand it if I interpret it as trauma bonding.
The book also tries to answer such pointless questions as "what if Hitler was queer and chronically ill" which to me is absolutely absurd. You cannot just make a holocaust comparison and then try to make your readers root for the leader of it. It's inappropriate and insensitive. There is no situation in which I can enjoy a protagonist like this. It's not about her being annoying or morally grey- her company is focused on eradicating people considered inhuman. She's referred to as Führer. Her slogan is "works makes you free". Absolutely not.
Unfortunately the author is trying to make so many points they all get tangled up and lost. Plot points are dropped in and not developed or abandoned in favour of a different idea. I think there is enough good ideas here for a couple of books or short stories and I wish they weren't all packed in like this.
The book also tries to answer such pointless questions as "what if Hitler was queer and chronically ill" which to me is absolutely absurd. You cannot just make a holocaust comparison and then try to make your readers root for the leader of it. It's inappropriate and insensitive. There is no situation in which I can enjoy a protagonist like this. It's not about her being annoying or morally grey- her company is focused on eradicating people considered inhuman. She's referred to as Führer. Her slogan is "works makes you free". Absolutely not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism, and Deportation
Jawbone by Mónica Ojeda
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Maybe it gets better. So far it was repetitive. I also hate the type of world building when I'm told 5 times what is what and how stuff works as the first few chapters.
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25