gracecrandall's reviews
906 reviews

The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World by Virginia Postrel

challenging informative slow-paced

3.75

The Horse, the Wheel, and Language: How Bronze-Age Riders from the Eurasian Steppes Shaped the Modern World by David W. Anthony

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

The Gate of Gods by Martha Wells

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

The Ships of Air by Martha Wells

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

Spy x Family, Vol. 11 by Tatsuya Endo

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Wizard Hunters by Martha Wells

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

The Warlock's Last Ride by Christopher Stasheff

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Grief, Suicide, Misogyny, War, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Child death, Blood, Death, and Sexism

Moderate: Rape and Pregnancy

The child abuse/physical abuse is in the context of

a 14-year-old trying to start a conversation about the government that could be perceived as traitorous. His dad backhands him and then orders him to spar, which turns into a beating. His mother is afraid for the boy's life a few times during the match.

Mission To The Stars by A.E. van Vogt

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation

I'm not sure how to tag the multiple incidents of mind control and 'psychological conditioning'. The male lead is 'conditioned' into being in love with the female lead, on her own prders. He mind controls her briefly and kisses her while she is under mind control, but never forces things beyond that point. Mention is made of a law that would penalize a man and a woman for not procreating while marooned on a planet. She is later 'conditioned' out of love with him, and he attempts to legally force her into deconditioning so she'll be in love with him again. Nothing more than kissing takes place on the page, and due to the point/counterpoint nature of their relationship, it's hard to say that there's a real power imbalance or consent issue one way or another, but it's pretty uncomfortable.

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction - 770 - November/December 2023 by Sheree Renée Thomas

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0