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bkwrm1317's reviews
182 reviews
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay this author better not be problematic or messed up because THIS BOOK.
I can get behind an enemies to lovers trope but this one was such a good slow little burn for the first chunk of the book while we got to know Violet. Xaden is HOT so I’m also glad this is a series. I felt like no way this could be a standalone. Definitely need to know what happens to them all, and more about this conspiracy VI’s dad apparently tried to warn her about. Whewwww!
I can get behind an enemies to lovers trope but this one was such a good slow little burn for the first chunk of the book while we got to know Violet. Xaden is HOT so I’m also glad this is a series. I felt like no way this could be a standalone. Definitely need to know what happens to them all, and more about this conspiracy VI’s dad apparently tried to warn her about. Whewwww!
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
Really solid read. I’m glad I dug this one out from the innards of my TBR.
Some of the Elvin/Goblin names and
honorifics are a bit challenging (guide at the end of the book), especially at first, but context clues will provide most of the needed information.
Sweet half-goblin Maia, youngest son of the emperor, unexpectedly has to take the throne after the death of his father and elder brothers. What ensues is full of politicking, class difference, xenophobia, and other adventures as Maia gets acquainted with court.
While not a traditional coming of age tale, Maia does come into himself in his time at court, and becomes much more confident in his knowledge and abilities.
Re: racism and xenophobia - these are directed negatively towards Goblins in the novels due to Elvin racism and sense of racial superiority.
Some of the Elvin/Goblin names and
honorifics are a bit challenging (guide at the end of the book), especially at first, but context clues will provide most of the needed information.
Sweet half-goblin Maia, youngest son of the emperor, unexpectedly has to take the throne after the death of his father and elder brothers. What ensues is full of politicking, class difference, xenophobia, and other adventures as Maia gets acquainted with court.
While not a traditional coming of age tale, Maia does come into himself in his time at court, and becomes much more confident in his knowledge and abilities.
Re: racism and xenophobia - these are directed negatively towards Goblins in the novels due to Elvin racism and sense of racial superiority.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, and Xenophobia
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow. This one hit me like a ton of bricks. I think a lot due to the quantum entanglement-ness of our protagonist and his wife as he goes on one of the strangest journeys a character could engage in, but also because it makes one think (as all the best SF does) not only on the human experience externally, but also introspectively.
His love for his wife and dedication to finding her again made me miss my own love, wherever he may be among the stars.
"...I remember how the wine had stained your lips. I've always known, on a purely intellectual level, that our separateness and isolation are an illusion. We're all made of the same thing--the blown-out pieces of matter formed in the fires of dead stars. I've just never felt that knowledge in my bones until that moment, there, with you. And it's because of you.
Yes, maybe I just want to get laid, but I also wonder if this sense of entanglement might be evidence of something deeper. This line of thinking I wisely keep to myself..." p 245
"...Being with Daniela isn't like being home.
It defines home.
I remember thinking that the first time I made love to her fifteen years ago. Thinking that I'd found something I didn't even know I'd been searching for.
It holds even more true tonight as the hardwood floor groans softly beneath us and the moonlight steals between the break in the curtains just enough to light her face as her mouth opens and her head tilts back and she whispers, so urgently, my name."
His love for his wife and dedication to finding her again made me miss my own love, wherever he may be among the stars.
Yes, maybe I just want to get laid, but I also wonder if this sense of entanglement might be evidence of something deeper. This line of thinking I wisely keep to myself..." p 245
"...Being with Daniela isn't like being home.
It defines home.
I remember thinking that the first time I made love to her fifteen years ago. Thinking that I'd found something I didn't even know I'd been searching for.
It holds even more true tonight as the hardwood floor groans softly beneath us and the moonlight steals between the break in the curtains just enough to light her face as her mouth opens and her head tilts back and she whispers, so urgently, my name."
An Unreliable Magic by Rin Chupeco
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Solidly enjoyable read by Chupeco. It’s been years since I read the first book in this series but glad to be back to it now. Intrigued to see where book 3 will take Tala and the whole crew.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Homophobia
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
I really enjoyed Sorrowland. It is dark and haunting, and will stretch your mind a la body horror and science fiction.
Sorrowland follows Vern, a young woman many months pregnant by the leader of the religious community where she grew up. She escapes to the woods, where she creates a life for herself and her two infants as they grow into young children.
Vern's body begins to shift and morph, as she becomes ill, and she must leave the forest to determine what the illness is. In leaving the woods, Vern's two children quickly learn of the world outside of the woods, and bring her into contact with new found family. Vern learns of the secrets of the compound where she was raised and their connection to her health condition. What unfolds next is a journey of self-discovery, love, and found family.
Sorrowland follows Vern, a young woman many months pregnant by the leader of the religious community where she grew up. She escapes to the woods, where she creates a life for herself and her two infants as they grow into young children.
Vern's body begins to shift and morph, as she becomes ill, and she must leave the forest to determine what the illness is. In leaving the woods, Vern's two children quickly learn of the world outside of the woods, and bring her into contact with new found family. Vern learns of the secrets of the compound where she was raised and their connection to her health condition. What unfolds next is a journey of self-discovery, love, and found family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Homophobia, and Violence
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When two siblings parents die in a car crash, it turns out there’s some weird family secrets and puppets that were connected.
Bit funny, fairly compelling, but a bit more disjointed than I’d have liked. Decent comedy horror.
Bit funny, fairly compelling, but a bit more disjointed than I’d have liked. Decent comedy horror.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
Solid little fantasy read that was a lot of fun, even a riot at times.
Our protagonist ends up going on a long and pretty wild adventure when he tries to rob a knight, also a handmaiden to the goddess of death, Dalgatha. Full of baudy humor, honor on the part of the knight, and a wild cast of additional characters, this took twists and turns I didn't anticipate.
Decent read, had to pick it up a few times, as it didn't hold my interest the way I'd hoped it would, but am glad I read it - solid middle of the line for me, but folks who enjoy more traditional fantasy (middle earth, Tolkein and Martin type of stuff) might enjoy more than I did!
Our protagonist ends up going on a long and pretty wild adventure when he tries to rob a knight, also a handmaiden to the goddess of death, Dalgatha. Full of baudy humor, honor on the part of the knight, and a wild cast of additional characters, this took twists and turns I didn't anticipate.
Decent read, had to pick it up a few times, as it didn't hold my interest the way I'd hoped it would, but am glad I read it - solid middle of the line for me, but folks who enjoy more traditional fantasy (middle earth, Tolkein and Martin type of stuff) might enjoy more than I did!
Final Girls by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Compelling little thriller, this one. I will admit I did not see the end coming!
A combination of slasher/final girl story and thriller, this novel follows Quinn, who survived as a final girl a decade prior. After the death of a friend and mentor of hers, another final girl, a series of events force Quinn to recon with her current life, her lack of memory over what happened a decade prior, and to re-evaluate who she holds close.
Quite enjoyed this one! CWs mostly jive with the kind of novel this is, but do note that drug abuse does not refer to the abuse of illegal/illicit drugs, but prescription ones by a main character.
A combination of slasher/final girl story and thriller, this novel follows Quinn, who survived as a final girl a decade prior. After the death of a friend and mentor of hers, another final girl, a series of events force Quinn to recon with her current life, her lack of memory over what happened a decade prior, and to re-evaluate who she holds close.
Quite enjoyed this one! CWs mostly jive with the kind of novel this is, but do note that drug abuse does not refer to the abuse of illegal/illicit drugs, but prescription ones by a main character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
3.5
My first novel by Wendig, Wanderers is a lot for a chronically ill, disabled person, in a world with an ongoing pandemic (maybe more than one) and folks who choose to no longer believe in it.
Published in 2019, it’s like Wendig predicted the future. A global pandemic sparked by bat to human contact in Texas, fungal parasitism that caused humans to slowly devolve into dementia, political upheaval and a coup by extremist (and extremely racist and xenophobic) right-wingers, characters using religion to manipulate the masses (and someone behind it who doesn’t really even believe), artificial intelligence deciding who to save, and why.
I enjoyed the writing, it was clean and polished and well-constructed, but the first 2/3 or so of the novel felt extremely plodding, and like it could have been tightened up quite a bit for a more punchy and impactful reader experience. There was good character development, but not many of the characters felt fully fleshed out/like real people, particularly for a nearly 800 page novel.
Check CWs, as there are MANY for this novel.
Pacing: slow/medium. First 2/3 of the novel are quite slow with moments it picks up, final 1/3 or so is medium-paced nearly throughout.
Published in 2019, it’s like Wendig predicted the future. A global pandemic sparked by bat to human contact in Texas, fungal parasitism that caused humans to slowly devolve into dementia, political upheaval and a coup by extremist (and extremely racist and xenophobic) right-wingers, characters using religion to manipulate the masses (and someone behind it who doesn’t really even believe), artificial intelligence deciding who to save, and why.
I enjoyed the writing, it was clean and polished and well-constructed, but the first 2/3 or so of the novel felt extremely plodding, and like it could have been tightened up quite a bit for a more punchy and impactful reader experience. There was good character development, but not many of the characters felt fully fleshed out/like real people, particularly for a nearly 800 page novel.
Check CWs, as there are MANY for this novel.
Pacing: slow/medium. First 2/3 of the novel are quite slow with moments it picks up, final 1/3 or so is medium-paced nearly throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Gore, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’ve had Due on my TBR for a long time and this novel is evidently evidence as to why.
Based on a real place, where real young men lost their lives, The Reformatory follows young Robert Stevens, Jr, his sister Gloria, and others who love them in the Jim Crow south after the death of their mother (lost to cancer), and their father’s need to leave after his attempt to unionize workers strikes fear into the pocketbooks of white folks in their community.
Young Robert defends his sister from the untoward advances of a young white man from a former plantation owning family with a swift kick to the knee, but McCormack senior sees the exchange and convinces a judge to send young Robert to the Reformatory, a place reeking of violence and bloodshed, the mysterious deaths of young men behind its barbed wire fences, and more.
What unveils is a story of friendship created under duress, the ghosts haunting the Reformatory impatiently waiting to exact their revenge on the man representing the system of inequity that led to their untimely deaths, and the horrors hiding under the surface in the Funhouse, the shed, and elsewhere at the Reformatory.
Based on a real place, where real young men lost their lives, The Reformatory follows young Robert Stevens, Jr, his sister Gloria, and others who love them in the Jim Crow south after the death of their mother (lost to cancer), and their father’s need to leave after his attempt to unionize workers strikes fear into the pocketbooks of white folks in their community.
Young Robert defends his sister from the untoward advances of a young white man from a former plantation owning family with a swift kick to the knee, but McCormack senior sees the exchange and convinces a judge to send young Robert to the Reformatory, a place reeking of violence and bloodshed, the mysterious deaths of young men behind its barbed wire fences, and more.
What unveils is a story of friendship created under duress, the ghosts haunting the Reformatory impatiently waiting to exact their revenge on the man representing the system of inequity that led to their untimely deaths, and the horrors hiding under the surface in the Funhouse, the shed, and elsewhere at the Reformatory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Gore, and Racial slurs
Minor: Cancer, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Death of parent