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zellburke's reviews
28 reviews
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Recitatif by Toni Morrison
challenging
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, and Death of parent
The Shining by Stephen King
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The will-they-won't-they romance between Jack "I wish I knew how to quit you" Torrance and a stiff drink. They're the toxic couple that stays together because they love the drama.
Obviously, the book is going to differ from the movie adaptation. This was no different, and in both, they have their merits and their faults.
In the text, you do get a lot more depth into both Wendy's, Jack's, and Danny's characters. The family dynamic is tense from the start, and you end up lying in wait for the pressure to burst. King does a fair job throughout of building suspense and giving readers things to watch out for/fear.
However, something about King's writing is not for me. I suspected this going in so I acknowledge I am not the most impartial judge. Even though it is a horror story filled with evil and icky characters, the amount of sexist, racist, and homophobic language seems excessive at times, especially coming from a white, male author.
Obviously, the book is going to differ from the movie adaptation. This was no different, and in both, they have their merits and their faults.
In the text, you do get a lot more depth into both Wendy's, Jack's, and Danny's characters. The family dynamic is tense from the start, and you end up lying in wait for the pressure to burst. King does a fair job throughout of building suspense and giving readers things to watch out for/fear.
However, something about King's writing is not for me. I suspected this going in so I acknowledge I am not the most impartial judge. Even though it is a horror story filled with evil and icky characters, the amount of sexist, racist, and homophobic language seems excessive at times, especially coming from a white, male author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Car accident, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A magic card deck, mysterious woods, and a malady that terrorizes a kingdom. Who can master all these things and put the world to rights? I don't know. Why are you asking me? It's only book one.
What I can say though is Elm, my beloved, stay safe out there.
Emory, I love you too (please don't die on me).
Nightmare, you're hilarious. Keep cracking jokes, providing commentary, and detaching limbs--Never change!
Elspeth, you're pretty cool. Ravyn, you're boring (the straight-laced, brooding love interest is not for me). Ione, I hope you get more depth cause the emotionless you that is trying to be intimidating is not quite drawing me in. Jespyr, you're cool, no complaints.
What I can say though is Elm, my beloved, stay safe out there.
Emory, I love you too (please don't die on me).
Nightmare, you're hilarious. Keep cracking jokes, providing commentary, and detaching limbs--Never change!
Elspeth, you're pretty cool. Ravyn, you're boring (the straight-laced, brooding love interest is not for me). Ione, I hope you get more depth cause the emotionless you that is trying to be intimidating is not quite drawing me in. Jespyr, you're cool, no complaints.