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twirl's reviews
100 reviews
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
The Wendy Project by Melissa Jane Osborne
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.25
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Sassy swordfighter reluctantly teams up with her life long enemy necromancer for a mysterious trial.
Gideon is quite a funny character who lended such a great lens to the audience. Many of the other characters were less humorous but with very unique personalities that lead to interesting dynamics.
In typical sci-fi fashion, I had a hard time remembering whose name referred to whom but the magic system and world building wasn’t too complicated.
Mystery and twists and turns are always a joy in sci-fi. This book also had good pacing up until the end which just had so many things going on! If you’ve read this and want to message me about the ending, please do.
I recommend this book to readers of The Abyss Surrounds Us, and those who enjoyed this book to read The Abyss Surrounds Us.
Gideon is quite a funny character who lended such a great lens to the audience. Many of the other characters were less humorous but with very unique personalities that lead to interesting dynamics.
In typical sci-fi fashion, I had a hard time remembering whose name referred to whom but the magic system and world building wasn’t too complicated.
Mystery and twists and turns are always a joy in sci-fi. This book also had good pacing up until the end which just had so many things going on! If you’ve read this and want to message me about the ending, please do.
I recommend this book to readers of The Abyss Surrounds Us, and those who enjoyed this book to read The Abyss Surrounds Us.
Fangs by Sarah Andersen
4.0
Really cute graphic novel about a vampire and a werewolf! There isn’t much plot, just a few scenes with puns or cute conclusions. I really like how there doesn’t need to be much character development but the art conveys all of the emotions. It was a brief read (under 30 mins) and I’m sure I could read it again!
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
4.0
YA fantasy novel about a princess who was born with the curse of being poisonous.
I really love the lore, based on Persian stories. They all connected together, sometimes in ways I did not expect. While I had my suspicions, I was surprised by the plot twists this novel took me on, wondering along with the main character, uncertain what would work. Part of my uncertainty also came from not knowing what she would do as her motives were kind of all over the place and reckless or indecisive. I really enjoy the bi representation, though the romance isn’t as good as I wish it was. While it isn’t perfect, I wish I had another novel just like this to read, too bad this isn’t a series!
I really love the lore, based on Persian stories. They all connected together, sometimes in ways I did not expect. While I had my suspicions, I was surprised by the plot twists this novel took me on, wondering along with the main character, uncertain what would work. Part of my uncertainty also came from not knowing what she would do as her motives were kind of all over the place and reckless or indecisive. I really enjoy the bi representation, though the romance isn’t as good as I wish it was. While it isn’t perfect, I wish I had another novel just like this to read, too bad this isn’t a series!
Cosmoknights: Book One by Hannah Templer
5.0
Space gays fight for freedom!
Beautiful art and characters that are interesting from the very first page. I love the detail put into the art of these sci-fi cities and battles. The plot is very feministic and empowering. It mostly highlights women, trans women, and wlw which is very cool to see. Of course I wish there were more, I will be excitedly awaiting the future additions to this series. But this honestly is a perfect first graphic novel to the series.
Rating: 4.5.. rounding up to 5 stars because this is pretty much perfect!
Beautiful art and characters that are interesting from the very first page. I love the detail put into the art of these sci-fi cities and battles. The plot is very feministic and empowering. It mostly highlights women, trans women, and wlw which is very cool to see. Of course I wish there were more, I will be excitedly awaiting the future additions to this series. But this honestly is a perfect first graphic novel to the series.
Rating: 4.5.. rounding up to 5 stars because this is pretty much perfect!