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jan_coco_day's reviews
135 reviews
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
How does Megan Nolan fit so much into so few words? Ordinary Human Failings is a whisper in the dark that resonates as loud as a scream. Its tragedies sit at the intersection between poverty, classism, xenophobia, generational trauma, and exploitation. Heartbreaking and raw from page one, Nolan details the complex inner lives of her characters as they process the various traumas of their lives, and how they affect the lives of others. Nolan is a writer at the start of a brilliant career.
K Is in Trouble (A Graphic Novel) by Gary Clement
dark
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
My absolute favorite graphic novel of the year. With a classic Edward Gorey style and absurd Victorian misadventures, K is in trouble, but he's mostly in my heart. It's a unique graphic novel on the market, in style, content, and that it doesn't have an "agenda." (It is absolutely okay for books to have "agendas," but it can get confusing with the market so full of them.) Kids will respond to a kid who is confused at why the adults around him are so mad all the time.
I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler
dark
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love to break down a fourth wall.
A little dark when none of the eaten children come back...but the kind of darkness kids like.
A little dark when none of the eaten children come back...but the kind of darkness kids like.
I Lived Inside a Whale by Xin Li
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
4.0
What I love most about this book is there is no adult "intervention." A conflict arises and is resolved entirely between the children in the story. I also love the message that art needs an audience.
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm not a big romance reader (I like my books dark), and I probably wouldn't have picked this one up if I wasn't assigned to read it for work. But sometimes, it's an absolute joy to read something that an author had a blast writing.
This read is so fun! Obviously inspired by TTRPG, the little adventuring party that forms around the central characters captured my heart right away and is a great party balance. Lemming's done her homework. I personally didn't find the sex scenes that spicy, but then again, I like my books dark. The non-sex action scenes are quite good. A super cozy, low-stakes adventure that has the potential for bigger world-building.
This read is so fun! Obviously inspired by TTRPG, the little adventuring party that forms around the central characters captured my heart right away and is a great party balance. Lemming's done her homework. I personally didn't find the sex scenes that spicy, but then again, I like my books dark. The non-sex action scenes are quite good. A super cozy, low-stakes adventure that has the potential for bigger world-building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ryu Murakami is the superior Murakami.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
If Sherlock Holmes married Watson and also kept a dragon in a briefcase. A cozy, magical whodunnit that is a refreshing detour from high-fantasy, doorstopper epics.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
"Cake is cake, darling. It's just a delivery system for frosting."
If Sherlock Holmes married Watson and also kept a dragon in a briefcase. A cozy, magical whodunnit that is a refreshing detour from high-fantasy, doorstopper epics.
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Two horrible people struggling against each other in a race to grab the blue ribbon for #1 survivor of the world's worst family. Monstrosity stays in the family.
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Lavalle's monsters are so awesome.