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squil's reviews
34 reviews
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I thought this book would not be worth all the hype, but it was actually good. Kya is a very interesting and complex character who I cared about throughout the book and enjoyed watching her grow and change. The setting of the book was so well described and the attention given to each detail of the marsh further connected me to Kya.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Classism
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First introduction to surrealism in writing. I enjoyed the fantastical elements of this book, but some of Murakami’s ideas and writing was frankly creepy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Incest, and Rape
Murakami seems like a great writer but a creepy guy. Multiple sex scenes between possible family members.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Most of the book was a little boring. Before Addie is given her “invisible life,” there was conflict and I enjoyed the plot, but after the book was slow until the end. The ending and beginning were great, but the middle was meh.
Cocaine: An Unauthorized Biography by Dominic Streatfeild
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Lately, I have been joining the non-fiction world. Authors like Dominic Streatfield make it easy. He has a personal style to his writing and he gives his thoughts throughout the entire book. As far as the research and facts of this book, it seemed thorough. In interviewing numerous people with their own personal advantages or disadvantages to the cocaine or coca industry, he would note this fact. He writes the quotes he was told, but still lets us know when a specific story is not corroborated. A great book that got me interested in not only drugs, but also research and journalism.
Misery by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stephen King wrote a fantastic book here. The book is even more incredible knowing it came from his own personal greatest fear. There is so much to understand with this book and I think I will need to read it again. Even just the Paul Sheldon name sounds so similar yet different from Stephen King. Its the opposite of it so cleanly that it sounds the same. Stephen King is an amazing author. I am only afraid that his other books won’t top this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Car accident, and Alcohol
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I watched the Netflix series before reading this book. I rarely watch a film adaptation of a book before reading it, but I did not even know the Queen's Gambit was a book before the series. I must thank whoever worked to get the Queen's Gambit onto Netflix because I think I may have otherwise missed this book. I enjoyed the series so much, I thought I couldn't possibly enjoy the book as much. I was wrong. The book pulled you into this obsessive world of chess that lives in Beth Harmon's mind, even more so than the movie. I have played chess only a few times and have never known any openings, defenses, or positions, but Tevis managed to still pull me into this world of chess. Truly an amazing writer! Reading this book is what I would imagine a serious chess game to feel like. After this read, I must find what else Tevis has written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death of parent
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
adventurous
sad
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
2.5
The dialogue and writing of the book, especially in Rufus's chapters, was a little bit over the top. It seemed like the author was trying to make him sound relatable to teenagers, but really it gave a weird and unnatural feeling to his characters, specifically Rufus.
The Death Cast aspect of the book was a little distracting from the overall theme. I think Silvera was trying to portray a theme of living life to the fullest. However, the Death Cast part of the book gave it a dystopian sci-fi vibe which made it feel less real and relatable. Ultimately, Death Cast was used as a tool for Silvera to portray his theme, but the tool was not the most useful and became distracting. I wanted to understand how Death Cast worked, and since we didn't, it felt like we had to just let it go, like a situation that only happens in a Wattpad novel or something.
I must credit Silvera, however, on his representation.
Mateo's undefined sexuality felt real and understandable. The relationship between Mateo and Rufus progressed very naturally and realistically (under the circumstances of living their last day).
Silvera's ending was also very good. The characters talked about if them meeting was what would ultimately led to their death. In the end, Mateo dies in his house because of the stove, which would have happened if he didn't leave the house. Rufus dies crossing the street because no one (like Mateo) was there to hold him back. Silvera is amazing at endings.
The Death Cast aspect of the book was a little distracting from the overall theme. I think Silvera was trying to portray a theme of living life to the fullest. However, the Death Cast part of the book gave it a dystopian sci-fi vibe which made it feel less real and relatable. Ultimately, Death Cast was used as a tool for Silvera to portray his theme, but the tool was not the most useful and became distracting. I wanted to understand how Death Cast worked, and since we didn't, it felt like we had to just let it go, like a situation that only happens in a Wattpad novel or something.
I must credit Silvera, however, on his representation.
Silvera's ending was also very good. The characters talked about if them meeting was what would ultimately led to their death. In the end, Mateo dies in his house because of the stove, which would have happened if he didn't leave the house. Rufus dies crossing the street because no one (like Mateo) was there to hold him back. Silvera is amazing at endings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
If you are anxious about death, I would not suggest this book. It is mentioned a lot.
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This is a book I would definitely recommend, but it is a little mature and there is some sensitive content so be aware of this before reading. My only critique of this book is that it is not what was marketed. "The Iliad, as experienced by the captured women living in the Greek camp..." The main captured woman we see is Briseis and we do sometimes see the lives of the other captured women from her point of view, but there was also still a lot about Achilles and his grief. I honestly enjoyed all these aspects of the story and the parts where the focus was brought to the reality of being a captured woman were so strong and well-written. Overall, Pat Barker did an amazing job on this book and this was some of the most compelling writing I have read. This book introduced me to Barker, and I can't wait to read the other work her amazing mind as produced.
Speaking on my earlier remarks about Achilles: I think the author was aware that this was Achilles' story because Briseis gives this same remark in the final chapter. I think the fact that Achilles still took up so much of this story, even though it was supposed to be Briseis' story, allows us to further understand the life of a captured woman. Feeling like you are living in someone else's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Rape
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Crooked Kingdom is even better than Six of Crows. I think it is because we already knew the characters so we didn’t need to spend the time introducing them. Like the first episode/season of TV show but once you know the characters the show is even better. All the characters of this book are so well developed and interesting. I love them all. But the plot is amazing too; the giant scheme they all find themselves a part of and Kaz’s miraculous plans. I can’t wait for the Netflix series
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Rape
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The plot, world, and characters were built very well. I was hoping for a more satisfying ending. It very clearly leads into the next book, which I have mixed thoughts on. I don’t know if it would have been natural to tie up the story at the end, but it felt like I just read a teaser book. I think I’m just used to books with solid endings and then a hint to the next book though.
Bardugo is a great author and there are so many details to the book and the plan the crew follows to complete their “quest.” Would recommend to a friend.
Bardugo is a great author and there are so many details to the book and the plan the crew follows to complete their “quest.” Would recommend to a friend.