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shereadytoread's reviews
674 reviews
Influencer by Adam Cesare
dark
tense
- 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
This is a book that proves YA horror can be just as horrific as adult horror. It starts with a bang of a cold open and then we see it unfold. Something I loved about this book is there are no simple characters. All of the teens are complicated and doubt themselves and their place within their friend groups and lives. We never get the self-assured final girl, but one whose fear doesn’t stop her from doing what needs to be done. There are awkward missteps and moments that felt very true to the high school experience!
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Vomit
Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram
dark
emotional
5.0
A book that definitely makes you feel SOMETHING, even if it's confusion at times. This was a rough read at times not as much because of the emotional aspect (which is extremely heavy) but there is also a lot of body horror pieces and injury detail that I did not expect based on the story up to that point. I think this book definitely succeeds at demonstrating the helplessness and hopelessness of being both emotionally and physically stuck. It's not a book that has a lot of levity in any way. The descriptions of the structure were very detailed and made you feel just how enclosed yet massive the space is. I think the end will definitely be divisive. You'll hate it or you'll love it, but you will definitely have an opinion on it. I can see why it is a turn off for many readers, but I think it adds another element of disorienting the reader. I can't describe it without a spoiler so I won't even try. Ringing in under 200 pages, I think this is definitely worth the read.
Disclaimer: I received a free finished copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I received a free finished copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit and Suicide attempt
Long Haul by Frank Figliuzzi
2.0
This book didn't deliver on its premise. At it's core, it is about the HSK (Highway Serial Killings) Initiative in the FBI, but it didn't have enough information to sustain that premise for even the short 250+ page book. Seven of the 20 chapters, are just the author riding the highways with a trucker named Mike. Mike is a bit misogynistic and as the author reminds us, knows nothing about highway killers and seems to forget that's what the author is researching part of the time. There is a lot of filler about sex work on the highways (which is at least related to the typical victim profile) and interviews with women who were involved in truck-stop sex work in the past.
The information about actual Highway Killers is very surface level and the information about the investigations is pretty limited. The book is primarily a look at long-haul trucking and the different people that are connected to it in various ways which the author then connects back to the HSK. There was some interesting information about interstate investigations and how limited it is because providing the information is optional and tedious. It felt like the author wanted to write a book about the HSK but didn't have enough information to fill a book, and just gave other trucking and crime-related information to fill it out.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher.
The information about actual Highway Killers is very surface level and the information about the investigations is pretty limited. The book is primarily a look at long-haul trucking and the different people that are connected to it in various ways which the author then connects back to the HSK. There was some interesting information about interstate investigations and how limited it is because providing the information is optional and tedious. It felt like the author wanted to write a book about the HSK but didn't have enough information to fill a book, and just gave other trucking and crime-related information to fill it out.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Sexism
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
This book was lots of fun. The entire novel is plot device, which I thought was a great addition to the story. We are reading a story of a writer, writing a story and conferring with her beta reader as the mystery unfolds. I was not a fan of the abruptness of the ending (for both the novel and the novel in the novel) but I did really enjoy everything up to that point and the end was still satisfying and wrapped up the story.
This book was the selection for the Book Lovers month of our Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
This book was the selection for the Book Lovers month of our Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend by Jessica Cage
4.0
This was a fun, humorous romance with some serious and darker moments. It touches on mental health issues, has some violence (fantasy violence) and difficulties with balancing dating and personal values. I have seen a lot of reviews that touch on some dubious moments of consent (two specific interactions). They did not read that way to me in the moment but I think it is fair to include that potential impact.
I think the story get a great job of balancing angst and light moments. I think the internal struggle of the FMC on her feelings about marriage could have been expanded a bit. She seems to have a lot of strong principles or questions that are immediately moved past, but it didn't bother me too much with the pacing of the story. I do think that the story leaned too hard into the magic elements at the end of the story and it felt like it should have happened earlier in the story or there should have been more then.
In the end, I really enjoyed this read and I will be checking out this author's other works.
I think the story get a great job of balancing angst and light moments. I think the internal struggle of the FMC on her feelings about marriage could have been expanded a bit. She seems to have a lot of strong principles or questions that are immediately moved past, but it didn't bother me too much with the pacing of the story. I do think that the story leaned too hard into the magic elements at the end of the story and it felt like it should have happened earlier in the story or there should have been more then.
In the end, I really enjoyed this read and I will be checking out this author's other works.
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
dark
4.5
This was an interesting turn from the last book. It once again features mushrooms strongly, but it is more of a folk horror with some real world influence. It features Easton's struggle with PTSD from the war and events of the previous book, as well as influences of a real war in history. I enjoyed the continued friendship with Miss Potter, and the edition of the new superstitions and traditions presented throughout the book.
I think this one is much heavier on the traditional horror elements rather than the slow burn gothic tale of the first book.
I think this one is much heavier on the traditional horror elements rather than the slow burn gothic tale of the first book.
King's Surrender by Iesha Bree
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is probably my second favorite in the series behind the first book. I found this storyline to be a little more natural and flowed easily. It was easy to root for the characters and their romance and chemistry was good. I think this book had less spice than the first two books but is pretty equal with the 3rd. I really enjoyed the coparenting aspect of the MMC and how they balanced boundary setting with the romance of the book. This one I think was a bit more realistic than the previous book in the series so I was able to enjoy that a lot more.
I am excited to finish out the series in the next installment.
I am excited to finish out the series in the next installment.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
This book was incredibly dull. Nothing made me want to root for any of the characters. The dialogue did not match the time period.
Clown in a Cornfield 3: The Church of Frendo by Adam Cesare
5.0
What I love most about this series is how it continues to reinvent itself with each installment. It adds to the lore and scares around Frendo but gives us a fresh story that avoids the repetitive fatigue that can come with slasher sequels. This book leans heavier into the cult phenomenon of the previous installment with a dark religious twist.
We get a revenge journey but also growth and change for our final girl. I loved the intro of new characters with some familiar faces. This book ramps up the kills and keeps you guessing until the very end!
We get a revenge journey but also growth and change for our final girl. I loved the intro of new characters with some familiar faces. This book ramps up the kills and keeps you guessing until the very end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
dark
tense
4.0
I thought this was an excellent reimagining for the Fall of the House of Usher. The bones are there with a horrific fungal twist. The world is similar to our own but set in an imagined part of Europe after the war. Its take on gender and language was really interesting and placed a lot of emphasis on how speech works. I am excited to jump into the next book.