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kellybarth's reviews
70 reviews
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Violence
Moderate: Slavery
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Unlike anything I’ve ever read, equal parts fantasy and mystery.
This book is best enjoyed in a physical format as a physical book as the way the words are written is as important as the words themselves. Much of the charm of this novel would be lost in audio.
This book is best enjoyed in a physical format as a physical book as the way the words are written is as important as the words themselves. Much of the charm of this novel would be lost in audio.
We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnson is a coming-of-age love story set inside a cult in Waco, Texas. This novel takes a look at what it might have been like to grow up in and around this extraordinary series of events (loosely based on the Branch Davidian cult in the 90's but the names and some of the details have been changed).
“Sometimes [my father] took me with him to serve warrants… He wanted me to see how people we knew–grocery store cashiers, parishioners from church–could turn unrecognizable if things went sideways in their lives”
This book has:
✔ A coming-of-age love story
✔ 1990’s Waco, Texas cult
✔ Historical Fiction
✔ Short chapters
✔ Multiple POVs
This book is for you if you enjoy true-crime podcasts, historical fiction novels, and a smattering of action and adventure.
Content warning: This book mentions pedophilia (frequent, but not graphic), and has some violent chapters.
“Sometimes [my father] took me with him to serve warrants… He wanted me to see how people we knew–grocery store cashiers, parishioners from church–could turn unrecognizable if things went sideways in their lives”
This book has:
✔ A coming-of-age love story
✔ 1990’s Waco, Texas cult
✔ Historical Fiction
✔ Short chapters
✔ Multiple POVs
This book is for you if you enjoy true-crime podcasts, historical fiction novels, and a smattering of action and adventure.
Content warning: This book mentions pedophilia (frequent, but not graphic), and has some violent chapters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Pedophilia and Religious bigotry
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.5
Beauty and the Beast but with sex, violence, and watery bowels for some reason
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A beautiful metaphor for what is lost (and gained) in war. Historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, this novel wasn’t quite what I expected but I can already tell that this story will stick with me.
Set in World War I, just before US troops have entered the fight, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is told from an often-overlooked transition in global history, from the Victorian Era to the modern age.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Set in World War I, just before US troops have entered the fight, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is told from an often-overlooked transition in global history, from the Victorian Era to the modern age.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
Overall, I loved The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. As with all fantasy series, you’ll spend the first few chapters trying to acclimate yourself and learn the language, but once you’ve met the cast of characters this novel will have you hooked. I was certain I had everything figured out, only to find I was totally off-base, this mystery kept me guessing without becoming too convoluted to follow the plot. I came to love the crude but undeniable genius investigator Ana, and her earnest assistant Din, and I’m eagerly awaiting their next adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
In an opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupts from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of giant, ancient sea monsters give way to strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.
I mean… the Empire spends endless amounts of blood and treasure defending a whole continent from sea beasts the size of small mountains. But it can’t save a canton from one damned plant?
This book has:
✔ Sherlock and Watson-style detective team (with a Female lead)
✔ High fantasy with references to Greek Mythology
✔ Orphan Black vibes (highly altered people with unique powers and abilities)
✔ A satisfying conclusion (no frustrating cliffhangers here!)
✔ A diverse and inclusive cast of characters
Overall, I loved The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. As with all fantasy series, you’ll spend the first few chapters trying to acclimate yourself and learn the language, but once you’ve met the cast of characters this novel will have you hooked. I was certain I had everything figured out, only to find I was totally off-base, this mystery kept me guessing without becoming too convoluted to follow the plot. I came to love the crude but undeniable genius investigator Ana, and her earnest assistant Din, and I’m eagerly awaiting their next adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore and War
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was delighted to find book 2 in this series even more gripping than book 1. We got to skip right over all the exposition and pick up where left off with Emily and Wendell in search of his door. Adventure immediately ensues.
I’ll be eagerly awaiting the third installment in this series!
I’ll be eagerly awaiting the third installment in this series!
The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro
The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro is a mystery novel set in England in the 1850’s.
When considering this novel, you may wish to note that this book contains graphic violence and rape. I did not see a content warning when I requested this book on NetGalley, but this is something you may wish to consider before diving into this mystery.
This book has:
✔ Downtown Abbey meets CSI vibes
✔ Sherlock and Watson style mystery solving
✔ Nineteenth Century British History
✔ Graphic violence
✔ More installments to look forward to if you enjoy this one
Final Impression
Overall, I can see the appeal of The Highgate Cemetery Murder. The writing was compelling, and I found the main characters, Gemma Tate and Detective Sebastian Bell, to be a likable and believable pair. I did find the ending to be quite rushed, as the guilty parties went from protesting their innocence to explaining the entire crime in two sentences or less. I don’t prefer to read depictions of graphic violence or rape. If a content warning had been included in the description of this ARC, I likely wouldn’t have requested it. If you’re not bothered by this kind of content and enjoy a Sherlock Holmes-esque murder mystery, then you’ll likely enjoy this first installment in the Tate and Bell Mysteries.
Star Rating
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This book wasn’t for me, but I can see the appeal. Check it out if you like British History and Murder Mysteries, and aren’t bothered by graphic depictions of violence against women.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley. The initial publication of this book will be available on February 29, 2024
"A young woman hung on a marble cross like a Christian martyr, her wrists bound to the crossbar, her head tilted to the side. She wore nothing but a flowing chemise, the fabric whipping around her bare legs and hanging off her arms like broken wings. What appeared to be a human heart, held in place by a thin chain or a string, was suspended from the woman’s neck, still oozing blood."
The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro is a mystery novel set in England in the 1850’s.
When considering this novel, you may wish to note that this book contains graphic violence and rape. I did not see a content warning when I requested this book on NetGalley, but this is something you may wish to consider before diving into this mystery.
This book has:
✔ Downtown Abbey meets CSI vibes
✔ Sherlock and Watson style mystery solving
✔ Nineteenth Century British History
✔ Graphic violence
✔ More installments to look forward to if you enjoy this one
Final Impression
Overall, I can see the appeal of The Highgate Cemetery Murder. The writing was compelling, and I found the main characters, Gemma Tate and Detective Sebastian Bell, to be a likable and believable pair. I did find the ending to be quite rushed, as the guilty parties went from protesting their innocence to explaining the entire crime in two sentences or less. I don’t prefer to read depictions of graphic violence or rape. If a content warning had been included in the description of this ARC, I likely wouldn’t have requested it. If you’re not bothered by this kind of content and enjoy a Sherlock Holmes-esque murder mystery, then you’ll likely enjoy this first installment in the Tate and Bell Mysteries.
Star Rating
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This book wasn’t for me, but I can see the appeal. Check it out if you like British History and Murder Mysteries, and aren’t bothered by graphic depictions of violence against women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia