Scan barcode
jayecard's reviews
168 reviews
In Real Life by Cory Doctorow
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Worker exploitation and abuse, including workers who are minor, is a major topic in the story
The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan, Mark Oshiro
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is the book that was written specifically for me.
I can't even put into words how it feels to go from Nico being a favorite character, to him becoming more and more beloved and relatable for me, to him becoming a protagonist and going on a journey that struck me terribly deeply. Nico and Will's story is not about falling in love, it's about going from "in love" to loving each other fully and truly. And I've never, NEVER seen that written with such a powerful authenticity. Every emotional interaction, every little misstep, and every little progress, felt like a punch right in the gut. I'm mentally ill, I have a relationship, and this is EXACTLY what it's like. Nico being scared that letting Will help him will scare Will away or put too much strain on him. Will not knowing how to reach Nico and how to really help him when he's struggling. Them having to accept parts of each other that are so terribly hard to open up about. It's so real and raw and not at all what I would have expected when I first got into Percy Jackson all the way back.
And at the same time, it still IS a PJO book. It's quirky and there are silly incarnations of old legends and monsters, there's adventures and sudden troubles and a touch of mysterious force from gods that more and more are becoming a reflection of their concepts. I was having fun and processing emotional trauma at the same time. What more do you want. This is probably one of my all time favorites now.
I can't even put into words how it feels to go from Nico being a favorite character, to him becoming more and more beloved and relatable for me, to him becoming a protagonist and going on a journey that struck me terribly deeply. Nico and Will's story is not about falling in love, it's about going from "in love" to loving each other fully and truly. And I've never, NEVER seen that written with such a powerful authenticity. Every emotional interaction, every little misstep, and every little progress, felt like a punch right in the gut. I'm mentally ill, I have a relationship, and this is EXACTLY what it's like. Nico being scared that letting Will help him will scare Will away or put too much strain on him. Will not knowing how to reach Nico and how to really help him when he's struggling. Them having to accept parts of each other that are so terribly hard to open up about. It's so real and raw and not at all what I would have expected when I first got into Percy Jackson all the way back.
And at the same time, it still IS a PJO book. It's quirky and there are silly incarnations of old legends and monsters, there's adventures and sudden troubles and a touch of mysterious force from gods that more and more are becoming a reflection of their concepts. I was having fun and processing emotional trauma at the same time. What more do you want. This is probably one of my all time favorites now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Outing and War
A character's behaviour closely reflects (and could be considered allegorical) to an abusive parent. There are brief moments of evil spirits trying to tempt characters into suicide.
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gaslighting
Comics richtig lesen by Scott McCloud
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
mind blowing, and the only thing that isn't up to date is the chapter on color (which he indirectly predicted by saying it's tied to technology) and the way people view comics has changed too (which is exactly what he had hoped). Basically essential reading if you want to ever do any sort of sequential arts.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
Toxic parent
I'm in Love with the Villainess (Light Novel) Vol. 1 by Inori
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Homophobia
The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The world was really cool and well described, but sadly I felt that the characters were incredibly bland. There was a lot of detail when it came to places and environments that I loved, but when it came to characters' thoughts and feelings, it suddenly was incredibly simplistic. Tom, the main character, is just sorta there for most of the plot and does virtually nothing, nor does he have a lot of interesting thoughts or emotions about it all. It didn't help that the ending felt incredibly dissatisfying.
Bonus points for letting a major female character be way outside of beauty standards though. The fact that Hester's face is described without trying to pretty up her scars and disfigurements was something I genuinely appreciated.
Bonus points for letting a major female character be way outside of beauty standards though. The fact that Hester's face is described without trying to pretty up her scars and disfigurements was something I genuinely appreciated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Excrement
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Slavery
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
loved the part where a girl recovered mentally by becoming more "normal" and "girly". loved the part where they made fun of women not shaving. loved the part where a fat girl becomes "good" and it makes her magically thin. and the part where sophie begs her friend for help, takes that help, then accuses her friend of stealing her crush in a consistent three chapter cycle? loved every second. /sarcasm
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Das Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes