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shereadytoread's reviews
806 reviews
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
I thought this was an excellent book. The pacing was a little slow for my preference, but the writing was great. I found it so impactful and one part (the trumpet scene) literally made me cry. Such profound cultural connections. I have heard of this school before but haven't done much research on the history. I plan to after reading this one.
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
3.0
The first book of Discworld feels like more exposition than plot. Every few pages for the whole book you are meeting a new character. It’s a garden variety underdog hero journey with a ragtag cast.
If I hadn’t heard so often that this series gets so much better in the later books, I don’t know that I would have ever picked up another one. But on to the next!
If I hadn’t heard so often that this series gets so much better in the later books, I don’t know that I would have ever picked up another one. But on to the next!
The Opportunity by T.M. Richardson
2.0
Unfortunately my least favorite of the series. It seemed like it was trying to focus on more serious topics and delve deeper into the emotional side but it missed the mark for me.
First it starts off with a flashback chapter full of homophobic slurs that are used to explain why the FMC suppresses her sexuality but it just felt so disjointed from the rest of the book and was an really off putting way to start. Then towards the end the abuse from the parents is essentially wiped away in a single conversation. There’s no actual accountability for it. And those 30+ years of repression are pretty much overlooked after one therapy conversation and one interaction.
The relationship with the therapist was interesting and the impact on the marriage as well, but once again missed the mark for me. Her husband continually puts aside all his needs to serve her journey and she continues to lie even after given space to explore. In a series all about respectful polyamory, this seemed so opposite of the previous books.
The author seemed to make the younger partner more “dominant” to make the age gap seem less apparent but it lingered in some questionable consent areas.
I think the series has run its course for me.
First it starts off with a flashback chapter full of homophobic slurs that are used to explain why the FMC suppresses her sexuality but it just felt so disjointed from the rest of the book and was an really off putting way to start. Then towards the end the abuse from the parents is essentially wiped away in a single conversation. There’s no actual accountability for it. And those 30+ years of repression are pretty much overlooked after one therapy conversation and one interaction.
The relationship with the therapist was interesting and the impact on the marriage as well, but once again missed the mark for me. Her husband continually puts aside all his needs to serve her journey and she continues to lie even after given space to explore. In a series all about respectful polyamory, this seemed so opposite of the previous books.
The author seemed to make the younger partner more “dominant” to make the age gap seem less apparent but it lingered in some questionable consent areas.
I think the series has run its course for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content
The Offer by T.M. Richardson
5.0
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first. It maintains relatively the same level of spice but I found the emotional depth of all of the characters to match rather than it being skewed only towards the FMC like it was in the first book.
The banter between the two male leads was great and I liked that book took a more realistic lens of the characters not always being able to "have to it all". I'm looking forward to the 3rd installment more now.
The banter between the two male leads was great and I liked that book took a more realistic lens of the characters not always being able to "have to it all". I'm looking forward to the 3rd installment more now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Smile for the Cameras: A Novel by Miranda Smith
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book gives those immediate 90s slasher vibes. It works in dual timelines which felt a little meh at some points. A lot of the past timeline was used to cast suspicion on the current timeline but wasn’t of too much interest on its own. I think it could have been accomplished with just the current timeline and some discussions of the past. The book isn't immediately fast-paced and the beginning of the story is slower, getting to know the characters and setting the context, but once it kicks off, it was a lot of fun.
It is based in film/hollywood so it uses script sections between the timelines. I didn’t think that piece was needed as it doesn’t tie into the script, and Is mostly a separate padded story. Also the script uses the actors names and not character names which felt weird to me.
My biggest issue was the “twist” about 80% in felt very juvenile. It’s just revealed and then we get a whole two chapters of exposition dump which felt more like YA writing. It just missed the mark on the climax.
Overall I think this is a pretty good debut but had some major pieces I would change. I think it's worth giving a try.
Disclosure: I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher.
It is based in film/hollywood so it uses script sections between the timelines. I didn’t think that piece was needed as it doesn’t tie into the script, and Is mostly a separate padded story. Also the script uses the actors names and not character names which felt weird to me.
My biggest issue was the “twist” about 80% in felt very juvenile. It’s just revealed and then we get a whole two chapters of exposition dump which felt more like YA writing. It just missed the mark on the climax.
Overall I think this is a pretty good debut but had some major pieces I would change. I think it's worth giving a try.
Disclosure: I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault
Beyond Cop Cities: Dismantling State and Corporate-Funded Armies and Prisons by Joy James
3.75
A short collection of a few interviews and written essays. All interesting to read but it felt a little disjointed.
I think it is a pretty great text, accessible language, and I even learned something new about my local area in addition to things elsewhere.
I think it is a pretty great text, accessible language, and I even learned something new about my local area in addition to things elsewhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Maybe one day I will finish an Ali Hazelwood romance. Today is not that day.
A Spell for Change by Nicole Jarvis
- 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
This was a really enjoyable read! The fantasy elements were woven into the story in a way that feels like a historical version of an urban fantasy. There are some darker elements that mirror horror, but it is not the primary focus of the story.
One big point down for me was to specifically set a historical story and create a black main character (one of the three) which heavily involves interracial dynamics and interactions, but using language and character choices that are completely antithetical with the reality of black Americans (especially in the rural south) at the time the story is set.
It felt like the author wanted the character to be black to support the plot of why certain relationships and actions cannot happen but then had them interact with white characters in a way that just didn’t ring realistic or match what was already established.
Plot wise, I had a great time with this book. I think the author using pretty modern language made it easier but also took me out of the historical aspect a bit.
Disclosure: I received a finished copy from the publisher.
One big point down for me was to specifically set a historical story and create a black main character (one of the three) which heavily involves interracial dynamics and interactions, but using language and character choices that are completely antithetical with the reality of black Americans (especially in the rural south) at the time the story is set.
It felt like the author wanted the character to be black to support the plot of why certain relationships and actions cannot happen but then had them interact with white characters in a way that just didn’t ring realistic or match what was already established.
Plot wise, I had a great time with this book. I think the author using pretty modern language made it easier but also took me out of the historical aspect a bit.
Disclosure: I received a finished copy from the publisher.
Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Dreams of Wakanda: Creators, Writers, and Comics Legends on the Impact of Marvel Studios' Black Panther by Mateus Manhanini
3.0
This is a good collection but I wish the title was more specific. What I thought I would be getting was essays about the impact of black panther in general but instead they are essays primarily about these people’s personal experiences with black panther.
It wasn’t bad but not really knowing much about most of the contributors it felt like reading a little memoir of a person I’ve never heard of and am not really interested in.
There was some interesting insights into the film like the costume designer discussing the real life inspirations for all the designs, or the brief history of afrofuturism and some film connections to real life events.
It wasn’t bad but not really knowing much about most of the contributors it felt like reading a little memoir of a person I’ve never heard of and am not really interested in.
There was some interesting insights into the film like the costume designer discussing the real life inspirations for all the designs, or the brief history of afrofuturism and some film connections to real life events.
The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery: A Novel by Clarence A. Haynes
mysterious
- 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
It is thrilling, suspenseful and has a really unique spin. This urban fantasy has a good amount of spookiness and mystery, while also being full of heart and emotion. I loved the internal and external conflicts that she is facing while trying to deal with trying to maintain a day job and supernatural experiences and trials. I think this book is so well done and I cannot wait to read what the author writes next. Their perspective and ideas seem to be very refreshing.
I thought the supernatural system was very interesting and I loved the cultural elements along with the magic system created for the book. Having the juxtaposition of our two main characters across multiple facets of their lives worked really well in how everything was eventually tied together.
Although this was an urban fantasy I found a lot of the writing more similar to some literary fiction, and not falling into some of the repetitive traps I see in urban fantasies.
I thought the supernatural system was very interesting and I loved the cultural elements along with the magic system created for the book. Having the juxtaposition of our two main characters across multiple facets of their lives worked really well in how everything was eventually tied together.
Although this was an urban fantasy I found a lot of the writing more similar to some literary fiction, and not falling into some of the repetitive traps I see in urban fantasies.