iliyenzio's reviews
420 reviews

Mazebook by Jeff Lemire

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I enjoyed the style and the overall comic was just okay. I honestly don't think I'll remember it in a month.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

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dark sad tense slow-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

3.5

I have mixed feeling about this book, to be honest. This book was definitely worth reading and created some really unique characters and special friendships. However, I do feel like there are two critical area in which things when wrong. First, I loved learning about all four of the friends and was really saddened by the fact that we only ended up following two of them. Secondly, the abuse depicted in this book was a bit gratuitous for me. I've read a fair share of books that discuss these kinds of tramatic events in ways that seem more respectful and impactful than the horrific play by play we seem to get here. It just seemed like too much to me and that the further descriptions weren't adding anything to the novel.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
Honesetly didn't love this as much as I thought I would. The premise was interstesting and I liked the dynamics between the different chracters. I'm not too entralled by the fantastical element though--it just doesn't hit right for me.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

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challenging dark informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

I tried this on audiobook, but it's definitely a need to physically read book. I'll try again when I get a hold of a physical copy
...
Got a hold of an ebook version and it's definitely something best read and not listened to. At least on the first go around. It was really fascinating and thought provoking. The depth and details, collection of different accounts, and historiography was well incorporated.
Ascender: The Deluxe Edition by Jeff Lemire

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adventurous dark 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

3.5

In comparison to Descender, this book was just okay. I enjoyed it, but don't think I would have missed it if it didn't exist. But then again, Ascender was excellent and it might be unfair to hold the sequel to the same standard.
Little Monsters: Deluxe Hardcover by Dustin Nguyen, Jeff Lemire

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dark fast-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? Yes

3.75

A nice read. I only wish it delved a little bit deeper into the characters and dynamics. All in all, though, I did enjoy it and all the characters. It's impressive how there were so many characters were established in such a short graphic novel.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong

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sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down. I loved all the characters and even though there were some aspects I wished had more emphasis, it was over all wonderful. The set up was strong and although the story went in a totally unexpected direction, I liked it. I'm not quire sure how I feel about the ending or how everything was resolved, but it felt suitable.
Blankets by Craig Thompson

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emotional reflective medium-paced

3.75

This was great! A really nice, contemplative graphic novel.
Descender Compendium by Jeff Lemire

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dark reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

I've never really been into science fiction or stories about/in space, but this was really fantastic. The art style was beautiful and the storytelling and pacing wonderful. The characters were fun and the world building!
Sing Like Fish: How Sound Rules Life Under Water by Amorina Kingdon

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Just wasn't for me. I didn't understand the difference between nature writing and science writing. Maybe I'll try again in the future.