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crusoe's reviews
170 reviews
The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you like the perks of being a Wallflower, you'll like this book. It follows a man dealing with the death of his younger brother and how his mental health deteriorates over time, leading to increasingly unhinged behaviour.
I think Filer does a very good job presenting the passage of time using different fonts to signify changes in location and medium. Because it is written from the perspective of the person going through it, I think the mental illnesses are portrayed in a very good way; how they are not 'solvable' but are able to be managed, how they blend with someone's personality because they are a part of him. It's very good.
I think Filer does a very good job presenting the passage of time using different fonts to signify changes in location and medium. Because it is written from the perspective of the person going through it, I think the mental illnesses are portrayed in a very good way; how they are not 'solvable' but are able to be managed, how they blend with someone's personality because they are a part of him. It's very good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
Minor: Self harm
A House Divided by Sulari Gentill
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Strangely enough, despite this being marketed as a murder mystery, the murder only serves as a driver for Rowland to investigate the new guardsmen. But, the focus of the story is much more on the colourful cast of characters and how their political alignment mirrors the wider political developments which is far more interesting.
I loved the dynamic and banter of Rowly's ragtag group of friends (Edna, Milton and Clyde) which genuinely had me laughing. Same for his relationship with his brother. I would read this story for the fascinating setting and the delightful characters, not the mystery.
Also, the original title 'a few right-thinking men' is much better than 'a house divided'.
I loved the dynamic and banter of Rowly's ragtag group of friends (Edna, Milton and Clyde) which genuinely had me laughing. Same for his relationship with his brother. I would read this story for the fascinating setting and the delightful characters, not the mystery.
Also, the original title 'a few right-thinking men' is much better than 'a house divided'.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
How to Be Ace: A Memoir of Growing Up Asexual by Rebecca Burgess
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
3.75
I couldn't quite connect with the artstyle (which I found quite simple and not that nuanced in its expression) and the way panels were organised, I do really like the storystelling.
It's a very honest and genuine portrayal of what it's like to be asexual and the sections at the end of each chapter were very informative. I think this is a great read espcially if you're interested in what it means to be asexual. It's also always nice to relate to the characters in a book and learn about yourself in the process.
It's a very honest and genuine portrayal of what it's like to be asexual and the sections at the end of each chapter were very informative. I think this is a great read espcially if you're interested in what it means to be asexual. It's also always nice to relate to the characters in a book and learn about yourself in the process.
Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25
A perfectly serviceable fantasy ya with a fun twist. I liked the dynamic between Sky and her brothers but her relationship with her dad (and Maximus too as another adult in the story) felt off. Very unfortunate that the author sets up an exploitative societal structure (two even, if you count the one at Home and the one of the wyvern society on earth) but does nothing in the end except some half-hearted criticism by Sky to either critique or change these systems. Nevertheless, a fun and quick read.
Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.25
In spite of being written almost a hundred years ago, lud-in-the-mist feels very fresh (with the exception of it's language). Would highly recommend for fans of more traditional fantasy that like an element of mystery intrigue in their stories. I love it when everything comes together in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicide
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is amazing for those who -despite what the title suggests- haven't read Austen and are looking for a light summer read. It won't do you much good to expect deep or expert takes on Austen's books. Nor should you, because the book is precisely about women who love these books but aren't literary experts and so their analysis is heavily inspired by what they encounter in their own lives. This idea that you can read a book twice and walk away with a different interpretation based on where you are in life is heavily emphasized.
The characters and their story are immensely charming and the book presents a snapshot of their lives. It was really fun to learn about their past, their present and potential future.
The characters and their story are immensely charming and the book presents a snapshot of their lives. It was really fun to learn about their past, their present and potential future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Car accident
The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
100 pages in I realised that this mystery did not grip me at all. I had no interest in who the girl (found dead) is, who her killer is, the role of the characters in this mystery... For a thriller, that's a really bad sign. I'd rather invest my time in a book that's more interesting and I don't think I'll pick this book up again.
The SA of the MC by his bully (Sean) and the overall way in which women and relationships between men and women were described was also disgusting. I'm so sick and tired of thrillers that objectify women and write about SA/inappropriate relationships without critical engagement. Yuck.
The SA of the MC by his bully (Sean) and the overall way in which women and relationships between men and women were described was also disgusting. I'm so sick and tired of thrillers that objectify women and write about SA/inappropriate relationships without critical engagement. Yuck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion
The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this story and you can tell is was the inspiration of a lot of contemporary middle grade books, like the warrior cats books. The conservationist message is nice even if the conversations the animals have about the humans feel a bit contrived. Each animal has its own personality which is great and I like how it doesn't shy away from the more gruesome aspects a journey like this would entail, it truly raises the stakes and makes this story one of epic proportions.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Disclaimer: my experience of the book may be tainted by my reaction to the recent allegations brought against Neil Gaiman. I started reading this book before I became aware of these allegations.
The ocean at the end of the lane is quite dark for a fantasy novel and it sits in a weird spot between an adult and children's novel. This was also the case for Stardust (a different story by Gaiman) but there I did not notice it as much because the story was a little less dark.
Overall, the story was okay. The magical elements were great, but it took a while to get to these and the main character was quite bland in my opinion. I liked the theme of how growing into an adult does not make you all-powerful or even very different from being a child.
The ocean at the end of the lane is quite dark for a fantasy novel and it sits in a weird spot between an adult and children's novel. This was also the case for Stardust (a different story by Gaiman) but there I did not notice it as much because the story was a little less dark.
Overall, the story was okay. The magical elements were great, but it took a while to get to these and the main character was quite bland in my opinion. I liked the theme of how growing into an adult does not make you all-powerful or even very different from being a child.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, and Suicide
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book is weird, no other way to describe it. It's hyperbolic, grotesque in every way (which the illustrations certainly add to) and generally strange. The writing style and ultraviolence of the book remind me a tiny bit of a clockwork orange but you're better of reading that book. I don't think I could recommend this in good conscience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Xenophobia and Vomit
Minor: Trafficking and War