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turrean's reviews
2270 reviews
Strange Folk by Alli Dyer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
The author created such a dark and lovely connection between an family and the natural world. But their magical power combined with the very real tangle of family loyalties and addiction made it doubly infuriating that the events of the story revolve around a second accusation of abuse against a pedophile. If the rough justice of the Buck women was such a force for good, why on earth wasn’t it handed out first time round? Did the supernatural vigilantes need Lee’s eyewitness account? What about the eyewitness account of the first victim?
Lee saw a man sexually abusing a girl. She later tells Belva she is sure about what she has seen. Why the actual fuck did she not take off into the woods and try to stop it? Why didn’t she go to the police, to the school, or make an anonymous report if her family situation made her somehow suspect? Make a ruckus, ram the gate, go on foot, see if anybody had a cell phone? Why not tell Belva and the authorities?
Men escape the legal and social consequences for their sexual abuse of young girls all the damn time. If you can magically prevent a predator from attacking again, why not do it the first time he strikes?
Lee saw a man sexually abusing a girl. She later tells Belva she is sure about what she has seen. Why the actual fuck did she not take off into the woods and try to stop it? Why didn’t she go to the police, to the school, or make an anonymous report if her family situation made her somehow suspect? Make a ruckus, ram the gate, go on foot, see if anybody had a cell phone? Why not tell Belva and the authorities?
Men escape the legal and social consequences for their sexual abuse of young girls all the damn time. If you can magically prevent a predator from attacking again, why not do it the first time he strikes?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Sexual abuse by a teacher
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-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? No
4.25
This was right up my alley. The depictions of humankind, or Mofos, as the crow narrator calls them, are sublime and ridiculous, rueful but loving. There were some pacing issues, especially as the story begins and also in the finale, but the book was delightful and emotionally satisfying.
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Odd, sad, and disturbing.
Read about 50% and then skimmed.
Read about 50% and then skimmed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a slow-paced, gentle story, but one that doesn’t flinch from hard truths. I found the free verse hard going at first, but discovered the deliberate pace was an excellent match for the oral history aspects to the story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Kodi (Book 1) by Jared Cullum
hopeful
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
3.75
This graphic novel features watercolor illustrations that showcase the beauty of Kodi’s habitat. It’s a comforting, sweet choice for the lower elementary grades.
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
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!
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
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.
At the end, the narrative does a time jump that robs the reader of some crucial character insight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Genocide, Xenophobia, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
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 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.
The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz
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.