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shereadytoread's reviews
806 reviews
Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove
adventurous
medium-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
This was a fun romp. A sci-fi take on classic universal monsters in cycles of “humanity” vs terror. There are many nods to classic movies and literature, along with an engaging story all its own.
The AI characters, Demeter and Steward have such great character ARCs and our human(ish) additions each bring unique perspectives that I loved.
I had so much fun with this one, I ended up reading most of it in a single sitting.
Disclosure: I received a gifted ARC from the publisher.
The AI characters, Demeter and Steward have such great character ARCs and our human(ish) additions each bring unique perspectives that I loved.
I had so much fun with this one, I ended up reading most of it in a single sitting.
Disclosure: I received a gifted ARC from the publisher.
Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore
dark
emotional
tense
- 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 was a fun one! The story of a dark entity that travels through livestreams manages to tackle themes of social isolation, grief, regret, gender identity exploration, and acceptance.
I thought it had some great representation of agoraphobia and trauma responses. The family’s differing reactions to her mental health issues were also really well done (showing realistic reactions).
Disclosure: I received an eARC and gifted finished copy from the publisher.
I thought it had some great representation of agoraphobia and trauma responses. The family’s differing reactions to her mental health issues were also really well done (showing realistic reactions).
Disclosure: I received an eARC and gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Transphobia, Violence
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
2.0
This was my second time giving Taylor Adams a try after No Exit. My issues with this one are similar to my issues with that one.
It sacrifices a coherent narrative for the sake of unnecessary plot twists, many of which invalidate large parts of the previous narrative for no reason. Plot twists that don’t actually serve the plot take away from the actual story.
Plus a demonization of mental health using a specific mental health disorder that is poorly applied to a character.
I think the premise is interesting but the execution doesn’t work for me. This is going to be my last read by this author.
It sacrifices a coherent narrative for the sake of unnecessary plot twists, many of which invalidate large parts of the previous narrative for no reason. Plot twists that don’t actually serve the plot take away from the actual story.
Plus a demonization of mental health using a specific mental health disorder that is poorly applied to a character.
I think the premise is interesting but the execution doesn’t work for me. This is going to be my last read by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Misogyny
Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films by Nina Nesseth
informative
medium-paced
4.5
The subtitle of science of horror is spot on. From start to finish this is a book about the science of how our brains respond to horror, research regarding human behavior and horror, and the how that science impacts the creation of horror films.
This is the first wide span book about the horror film industry (not niche to a specific movie or subject) that I feel I’ve learned a lot. As a person that loves horror nonfic, many are very entry level.
This is the first wide span book about the horror film industry (not niche to a specific movie or subject) that I feel I’ve learned a lot. As a person that loves horror nonfic, many are very entry level.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Miss Major Speaks: The Life and Times of a Black Trans Revolutionary by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
While the content is very heavy, Miss Major's personality shines through. I would have loved to read this one as an audiobook or to have been able to watch this interview. I cannot say enough good things about this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Police brutality
The Library Suicides by Fflur Dafydd
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
There was just nothing drawing me in for this one. The writing was pretty dry and bland.
The Seep by Chana Porter
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book executed an idea perfectly. It takes a spin on an alien invasion through a joining in a dark utopia. The book explores many themes about the human experience, belonging, mortality and the function of suffering. I think that this book manages to lead you to certain conclusions without being preachy, and effectively show a spectrum of reactions to what is presented as such a positive thing. The first time I've read what would be a dystopian utopia story.
Traded for Their Pleasure by L.V. Lane
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
The entire plot of the book is them trying to "stretch" her. There is no story. Nothing happens. I am all for a high spice book or just "vibes" but there weren't any enjoyable vibes either. Meh. There was one side character I found interesting for 3 pages; but it's basically a bunch of 2D cardboard cutouts having sex for 200 pages.
101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered by Sadie Hartmann
slow-paced
1.0
This book is essentially a list of books that the author just likes a lot. Each section starts with a brief overview of what she thinks about the subgenre and ends with an author spotlights (an interview or just a short bio). There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why the books are included into each section, other than she just likes them. Some of them admittedly don't fit well into any section so they are just placed. I expected there to be some criteria as to why they were included or have some sort of connective tissue about horror literature, but it's essentially a personal shopping list turned into a book.
For the love of god, do not read this in ebook. What is a page with multiple book covers in the physical book is a single page per book cover in the digital version. The print book is less than 200 pages, the kindle version is over 500. So much tapping through random pictures of book covers.
For the love of god, do not read this in ebook. What is a page with multiple book covers in the physical book is a single page per book cover in the digital version. The print book is less than 200 pages, the kindle version is over 500. So much tapping through random pictures of book covers.
Finna by Nino Cipri
adventurous
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. It is a novella so it's not going to fill out the world completely but you get the point pretty quickly. Two exes that work together in an ikea-esque store are forced to go on an adventure together to rescue a customer lost in the multiverse.
Jules is a neurodivergent nonbinary employee who has to deal with their own internal feelings about themself but also understand how others view and treat them. Ava is a bit more of a headstrong character and they foil well throughout the adventure.
The fun in this book is really the multiverse hopping adventure story in which they end up in countless versions of their own store searching for a stranger. Once they start moving, it's pretty action packed until the close. I am really excited to pick up the sequel (I've heard it's even better than the first).
Jules is a neurodivergent nonbinary employee who has to deal with their own internal feelings about themself but also understand how others view and treat them. Ava is a bit more of a headstrong character and they foil well throughout the adventure.
The fun in this book is really the multiverse hopping adventure story in which they end up in countless versions of their own store searching for a stranger. Once they start moving, it's pretty action packed until the close. I am really excited to pick up the sequel (I've heard it's even better than the first).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Transphobia