turrean's reviews
2265 reviews

Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland

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

2.75

The pros? Some genuinely tense and exciting moments, and a labyrinthine plot. Unfortunately these aspects are largely outweighed by the negatives: the angst of the sexy, broody, secretive twenty-somethings, some stupendously banal dialogue and improbable character motivations, and a style that is all surface. The abrupt ending was super annoying.

The way the six main characters neatly paired up into three couples made me yearn to introduce them to a dating app. And some really good therapists. 

It’ll make a good movie! 
Mal Goes to War by Edward Ashton

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adventurous funny reflective 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? No

4.0

Great storytelling, great protagonist. 
At the end, the narrative does a time jump that robs the reader of some crucial character insight. 
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Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

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emotional funny mysterious medium-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? No

4.0

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The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
The novel has a very promising setup (including an epic breakup scene); a cast of loyal, loving friends & family; and a beautifully magical setting. Lots of Encanto vibes here; this does lend the story a certain charm, but ultimately feels very derivative.

The love interest was more than a bit repellent, as he intrudes on Harlow’s space, and assumes his circumstances trump her wish for peace. The instant physical attraction made me roll my eyes, particularly since his personality didn’t seem to merit the swooning. Other contradictions drag down the story as well.
(“You MUST all be here for the FAMILY MAGIC to work! Oh, your cousin’s flight was cancelled? Ah, well, she wasn’t meant to be here.”  Then there was the family’s constant begging and cajoling Harlow to write a book. But once she has begun…in a way that seems clearly to be divinely inspired, the reaction is “Mi corazón, you cannot write this book!” I’d also like to ask the family’s divine patroness a few questions about her abysmal timing.
The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz

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

4.0

The illustrations glow, the dragon is adorable, the illustrations in the bakery are delectable. The story is quick and unserious, but its gentle message about what things are truly worthwhile is clear and relatable. 
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

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challenging funny 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? No

4.0

Clever and thought-provoking. 
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The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

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

4.0

Features fantastic world-building, a gripping mystery, and an enjoyable rendering of the Holmes / Watson partnership. I particularly liked the author’s take on a Roman Empire that has (at least some) honorable servants who wish to protect the public. 

Enjoyed a small chuckle when a character reflects that the taste of tobacco really helps his thinking along; very Arthur Conan Doyle. The society’s enhancements and body modifications stand in for Sherlock’s heroin, I guess. 
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Ruin Their Crops on the Ground: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch by Andrea Freeman

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informative reflective slow-paced
Sobering and infuriating. The reader does a good job of conveying the seriousness of the topic. With a slight pause and change of tone, it was always clear when a quote from one of the author’s sources started. US food policy, past and present, is a perfect example of institutional racism. 
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Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah

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

4.0

Charming and clever. In an illustrated fable, the author offers some useful strategies for problem solving. This would be great as a parent-child read aloud, or to spark discussions in elementary classrooms. School counselors should take a look! 
The September House by Carissa Orlando

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dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

4.25

This was fantastic! Such a complex, layered ghost story. The audio was great. 
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