jes312's reviews
191 reviews

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Marcellus was the highlight of book and I wish there was more of his perspective. A bit predictable, but Tova and Marcellus's relationship was wholesome/heartwarming.
Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max by Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson

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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

4.5

Heartwarming and light. This second volume delves into Greek mythology while building of the events of the first volume. I'll definitely be continuing the series.
Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains by Bethany Brookshire

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informative slow-paced

4.5

A mix of journalism and storytelling that delves into how humans come to view certain animals (vertebrates specifically) as pests. Does a good job balancing perspectives and really made me think about some of the assumptions I have about different types of pests.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

5.0

As a middle grade book, I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much at that age
(it starts with a triple murder).
About a boy adopted by ghosts and growing up a cemetery told through a series of short stories that come together at the end. Excellent world-building from Gaiman, as usual.
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan

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challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I loved the first book, but had a harder time with the second installment (partially because this is much darker--see content warnings). There are more POV in this book, which I wasn't as invested in from the first book, and because of that, I felt like it bogged the story down. I loved that
Zhu and Ouyang teamed up
and I wanted more from Ma's perspective, especially given how instrumental her story is in the last part of the book.

I know this is a duology, but I kind of wish there was a third, so we could see if
Zhu lives up to expectations as Emperor. Was all the sacrifice worth it?
Not knowing anything about the Ming Empire, I was left wanting more and the story feels unfinished.
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Death on the Nile: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Why is everybody getting
engaged
on the murder boat?
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A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself by Katherine Howe

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I was hooked by Hannah's story, but felt like the 1930s storyline really dragged the plot down. The ending of Hannah's timeline felt like the author didn't know what to do with her story, which is why the 1930s timeline was added. I would have enjoyed a book that was just about Hannah's pirate adventures amongst real historic individuals; I was so invested in Hannah's story
that I felt Marian's betrayal when she discovered that Hannah wasn't real. It was redeemed a bit in my eyes by the fact that the fake story was inspired by an archival find.
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How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler

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emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

A beautifully written book that you'll want to sit with and savor. Science stories interwoven (with creatures you've heard of and others you probably haven't) with personal narrative in an extremely successful format. Essays include: a mother octopus protecting her eggs alongside the author's experience with diet culture; the misinformation of the Bobbitt worm's common name and coming to terms with the author's experiences with sexual assault; analyzing a whale fall in conjunction with the end of one of their first queer relationships; and cuttlefish morphing abilities and bringing in multiple queer voices to explore their complex/changing relationships with their bodies.
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The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

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emotional lighthearted 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

4.75

Absolutely adored the characters, somewhat predictable plot (but I didn't mind because the characters were so well-rounded). Fantasy set in the "real world" with queer relationships and found family. Similar vibes as "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

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emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.75

Some plot holes, but otherwise a great follow up to the first Thursday Murder Club.