rnbhargava's reviews
389 reviews

The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Classism

There’s murder, sexual coercion and assault on underaged and of age characters mentioned and suggested. There’s drowning, confinement in tight, restrictive spaces, there’s mental and physical manipulation and torture. There’s hired hit men and lurkers. The plot has to do with a controversial cult that uses a lot of cultural appropriation of Asian religions and philosophies in the cult’s supposed doctrine. There are also scenes and depictions of endangering small children’s welfare. Cult characters assault female characters quite obviously as well. There are characters with mental and physical health problems. There’s suicide and murder. Look at the triggers.

Catwoman: Lonely City by Cliff Chiang

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This is an excellent, fairly character based take on Gotham City post-Batman starring older versions of several notable DC characters, obviously leaning toward the Batman corner of the universe but with a few interesting additions as well. It’s quite funny at points but also emotional, as I found myself getting quickly attached to these older aged versions of characters while they pull off “one last heist” basically. It’s an alternate Gotham that feels similar yet different in certain ways compared to the work in the “Batman: White Knight” which some might compare this too. Both Chiang’s work here in “Catwoman: Lonely City” and Sean Murphy’s “Batman:  White Knight” series of books are worth reading for the excellent writing and art respectively. Don’t feel like you have to choose. 

I really like the older aged twists on Poison Ivy, Killer Croc and Riddler. The older Two-Face isn’t that different. Barbara Gordon older aged is kind of similar to other older aged depictions of the character. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

How some people might think of some of the deaths and how they happen could be controversial. Please note potential for suicide vs mercy killing murder discussion.

The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This is quite the rambunctious adventure where you’re regularly wondering whether our protagonist learns anything about her headstrong mindset amidst all the shady dealings surrounding her. Would definitely recommend to many.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Some of the content warnings are for things that nearly happen but are averted, others absolutely happen. You’ve been forewarned.

The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.

Still have the book, will restart and hopefully finish one day

Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This final book in the Green Bone Saga is quite the feather in the cap. It takes place across multiple decades, showing our characters age and come into their fates, making choices that put them at odds with each other, showing long time plans come to fruition and falter. I particularly like how this final instalment shows the begrudging respect between rival clan members and how military industrial complex and international governments impact Kekon. I can’t recommend this series enough 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

This is a fantasy infused gang families rivalry epic. There is Jade withdrawal and overexposure in this fantasy series that’s depicted very much like drug detoxification. There is abundant violence with varying motivations and levels which include varying levels of abuse. Various societal prejudices also exist at points in the decades depicted across this final novel. I’m sure I probably forgot some things but be aware there are extreme swings regarding content. Be aware, that’s all.

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This is a fantastic tale of Superman fighting against the racism of the Klan alongside two young Chinese American kids. Fantastic!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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

This is fantastic. The only thing I want is more. It’s kind of like the film series “How To Train Your Dragon” but with more of a hunting for actual use/naturalist bent

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

I say minor to sexism, sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual violence as they’re things mentioned to happen but the female protagonist character never experiences it first hand, perhaps given her close bond with the major male supporting character of the novella.

Jade War by Fonda Lee

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I absolutely loved this second book. Its main minor drawback is the cast with point of view chapters being perhaps a bit too large. That said, I was thrilled by the twists and turns, both in terms of action and character based ones. It really plays with the emotions masterfully. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

There is drug use in relation to the power abilities central to the story, there’s an abortion. There’s an early death of grandparent rather than parent. Misogyny is present with the intent to “protect” those without abilities yet that “weakness” is based on a cultural fallacy. There’s a relationship between two male characters that does become sexual. There’s varying attitudes around it, one of which is dismissing it as a phase. There are also plenty of relationship betrayals of varying levels. There is also one major action carried out by a main character that could be thought of as unforgivable and monstrous that leaves a specific child in his care.

Daredevil: To Heaven Through Hell, Vol. 1 by Chip Zdarsky
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.

Actually really good but I’m just going to read this arc with the Chip Zdarsky Daredevil Omnibus and Devil’s Reign Omnibus 

Sakamoto Days, Vol. 1 by Yuto Suzuki
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.

Felt generic, thought I’d go back to finish but it didn’t happen