alyssamakesart's reviews
323 reviews

Stargazing by Jen Wang

emotional funny reflective 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

Last two chapters felt a little rushed but it came together bueatifully. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

challenging dark informative reflective 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

4.5

The biggest threat to Israel's story in this book is not the two horrific moments of violence in this novel. Those can lazily be denied as unrealistic and moments unsure to the fog of war. However, the trek to each moment is a series of acts of violence of themselves. Racism and physical occupation being the main two. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Sexual violence

Minor: Cultural appropriation and War

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins

adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-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

What an introduction to THEE Beverly Jenkins. I can’t wait to continue this series. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Murder

Minor: Ableism, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Slavery

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel

challenging dark emotional funny medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Twelfth Grade Night by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm

funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

Weightless: Making Space for My Resilient Body and Soul by Evette Dionne

challenging funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Chronic illness, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Sexual content

Minor: Transphobia

Dear Mini: A Graphic Memoir, Book One by Natalie Norris

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcohol

Moderate: Drug abuse and Sexual harassment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

adventurous emotional tense 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

5.0

Listened to the audiobook last year, this was my first reread and first time reading the physical copy. This was even better the 2nd time.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Transphobia

Minor: Child death, Deadnaming, Sexual harassment, and War

Stories of the Islands by Clar Angkasa

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent

Talk to My Back by Yamada Murasaki

emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol