Scan barcode
magicalghoul's reviews
91 reviews
Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First off: Mind the discussion of slut-shaming tw. I'm not putting it in spoiler tags because it's somehow central to the plot and could be highly upsetting. Please take care.
Now, about the book: Enjoyed the concept and the writing style but the rampant fatphobia and the smidge of racism really ruined it for me— just because it's satire or dark humor doesn't mean you get a free pass to punch down.
The outdated (even for 2016) teen slang sometimes took me out as well, but on a second thought I'm glad it went for a known evil (tumblr fandom slang) over a recent one (stolen aave in stan circles).
It was entertaining at least, even if I found myself wishing it had pushed for more at times. Solid three star book.
Now, about the book: Enjoyed the concept and the writing style but the rampant fatphobia and the smidge of racism really ruined it for me— just because it's satire or dark humor doesn't mean you get a free pass to punch down.
The outdated (even for 2016) teen slang sometimes took me out as well, but on a second thought I'm glad it went for a known evil (tumblr fandom slang) over a recent one (stolen aave in stan circles).
It was entertaining at least, even if I found myself wishing it had pushed for more at times. Solid three star book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
A character tells another about a situation where she was humiliated and slut shamed.
Ship It by Britta Lundin
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
I spent an entire day reading it and I'll concede that although there's something deep deep down in here about how fandom spaces can be of such help in the search of identity for lgbt folks… it gets trampled down in the entire mess that is the book in its entirety.
I'm not going through everything wrong with Ship It in detail though (fetishization of mlm disguised as fandom activism, discussion of rpf and incest fic as Casual Fandom Things, glorification of toxic fandom behavior, "pan lesbian", brushing off of fandom racism…) because then I'd be here All Day so just suffice to say:
This one should have stayed in wattpad, love ❤️
I'm not going through everything wrong with Ship It in detail though (fetishization of mlm disguised as fandom activism, discussion of rpf and incest fic as Casual Fandom Things, glorification of toxic fandom behavior, "pan lesbian", brushing off of fandom racism…) because then I'd be here All Day so just suffice to say:
This one should have stayed in wattpad, love ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Eating disorder and Incest
The main character is forcedly outed
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Aside from that, wonderful read. I'll carry these characters with me for a long time.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Ok, so.
What I liked: Wonderful characters, all the love, detail and care put into depicting the latinx diaspora and their traditions, how it built into that for the brujx lore and worldbuilding, THE YEARNING OF IT ALL, and… have I said the characters?
It being an own voices book it's not like I was expecting walking latinx stereotypes, but the fact it went above and beyond in Julian's characterization as a brown boy that everyone reads as a hopeless troublemaker because of his neurodiversity (he has adhd, I can see) was something I especially loved.
It being an own voices book it's not like I was expecting walking latinx stereotypes, but the fact it went above and beyond in Julian's characterization as a brown boy that everyone reads as a hopeless troublemaker because of his neurodiversity (he has adhd, I can see) was something I especially loved.
What I didn't like: Ever since the first clues were dropped I was Really hoping it wasn't going to do what it eventually did— I'm not a fan of outliers being represented as extremists that go through methods considered less ethical to even the ground with those that were born into their abilities/status while the system that's ostracized them in the first place is not put in question. I know the book criticizes the transphobia and gender roles in the brujx community and I'm content with what it did in that regard, but the fact that the question of the treatment of magicless folks born into the brujx community (which is was what caused the main conflict in the first place) was left pretty much only addressed in a couple of lines leaves much to be desired. Yadriel has magic and he's eventually recognized by his family. It seems like we shouldn't care about the other marginalized members of the community.
Aside from that, wonderful read. I'll carry these characters with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Blood
Minor: Bullying
Mentions of past gang violence.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Just going from the summary and the themes I knew right away this book was a likely candidate to become a new favorite if it did right and you know what, I'm so glad it all came together BEAUTIFULLY and didn't disappoint. The gorgeous prose, the imagery, the use of time travelling, the yearning of it all... My only complaint is that I was left wanting more and would've liked a more closed ending but hey, that's not enough for me to deduct points because I had a blast reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Body horror and Genocide
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Despite its many good moments and solid writing, that reveal at the end still felt like something out of a r/nosleep story.
White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well, that sure was a disquieting read.
I'm very in love with the way it used the concept of genii loci sucking up and then reflecting the racism of a previous owner and That being the horror, as well as the way it integrated the theme in the narrative.
I would recommend it for the excellent creepy imagery and stylization, wouldn't recommend it if you're not fond of non-endings and loose plots with more flair than anything.
I'm very in love with the way it used the concept of genii loci sucking up and then reflecting the racism of a previous owner and That being the horror, as well as the way it integrated the theme in the narrative.
I would recommend it for the excellent creepy imagery and stylization, wouldn't recommend it if you're not fond of non-endings and loose plots with more flair than anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Racism
Moderate: Incest
Lots of talk about weight/losing weight/unhealthy eating habits in general and xenophobia. Mention of institutionalization as well.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Must admit I read the first two chapters and wasn't too impressed but thankfully I kept reading and it held me and didn't let go, holy shit.
The sense of dread ramping up, the good good grotesque imagery, the atmosphere... It was a distressing read (in the best way) and managed to give me the creeps in more than one occasion.
It also hits for the most part that good point with exposition where you can guess where the story is going since it gives you the necessary elements to do some guesswork without dumping it on— and when the dumping did come at least it didn't feel so out of place, which I'm thankful for since I'm very pesky with that sort of thing.
Using the gothic genre as a conduit to portrait white supremacy and patriarchy (and all it entails— the racism, the misogyny, the colonization and commodification of people as mere bodies) was brilliant. I simply love it when horror is used to talk about and portray socially relevant themes. Absolutely enjoyed this.
The sense of dread ramping up, the good good grotesque imagery, the atmosphere... It was a distressing read (in the best way) and managed to give me the creeps in more than one occasion.
It also hits for the most part that good point with exposition where you can guess where the story is going since it gives you the necessary elements to do some guesswork without dumping it on— and when the dumping did come at least it didn't feel so out of place, which I'm thankful for since I'm very pesky with that sort of thing.
Using the gothic genre as a conduit to portrait white supremacy and patriarchy (and all it entails— the racism, the misogyny, the colonization and commodification of people as mere bodies) was brilliant. I simply love it when horror is used to talk about and portray socially relevant themes. Absolutely enjoyed this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage and Self harm
Additional warnings: Eugenics feature prominently as well. The main character and her cousin are gaslit. Pregnancy horror. And lots and lots of fungi.
The Hope of Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Everything about this is so sweet, from the hopeful notes and the reason the author wrote it in the first place...
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First of all I didn't expect to like Hrathen as much as I did.
Have mixed feelings about the exposition but loved the lore. The pacing on the last part felt too rushed, but the ending was a satisfactory one— and once in a while it's nice to read something that you know is going to end well, despite it all.
Sarene was an interesting character, despite her falling into the I'm Not Like Other Women cliché at times. Would've loved to see her interacting with other women, though.
Also if I were Galladon and the (very white) prince of Arelon made up a stereotypical brownface persona of my people, I would simply kick his ass.
Have mixed feelings about the exposition but loved the lore. The pacing on the last part felt too rushed, but the ending was a satisfactory one— and once in a while it's nice to read something that you know is going to end well, despite it all.
Sarene was an interesting character, despite her falling into the I'm Not Like Other Women cliché at times. Would've loved to see her interacting with other women, though.
Also if I were Galladon and the (very white) prince of Arelon made up a stereotypical brownface persona of my people, I would simply kick his ass.