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kinzo103's reviews
95 reviews
Bitter Waters by Vivian Shaw
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have not read any of the other books in this series so this was my first introduction into Greta Helsing's world, and it was a great introduction. There were several elements that I really like about this novella. From the moment I started reading, I was pulled into this world and was eager to return to it every time I had to put the book down. Even without reading the three previous novels, the characters and their relationships were written in such a way that I could feel how much of an accomplishment it was to get to this somewhat peaceful slice-of-life story. The characters were lovable without knowing their backstories because they were described so well that the character development was evident without knowing details. There is a tenderness to all the interactions that feels like they fought to get here.
I will absolutely be reading the other books in the world of Greta Helsing because now I want to know how all of these characters got here and who they were before I met them in this story.
I will absolutely be reading the other books in the world of Greta Helsing because now I want to know how all of these characters got here and who they were before I met them in this story.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
I was told that this was an absolutely stellar book and to go in blind if possible, so that’s exactly what I did. I was not expecting such a cerebral masterpiece. At first it felt like “wtf is going on?” And then once you start to understand the story, it still feels like “okay, but wtf?” It was stunning. It takes immense skill to write such an intricate world and story within only 245 pages. Perfect for fans of The Magicians.
The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
Was this book particularly unique or impactful? No. Did I still enjoy it immensely? Yes. There isn’t much plot outside the relationship development, and it reads a bit like a novella as far as the world surrounding the characters go, but it was still cute and fun.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
The story felt like it was dragging, there wasn’t enough happening to keep me hooked. I might pick this up again later but right now, it’s not what I was hoping for.
Final Offer by Lauren Asher
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
This story is sweet and cute and gave me all the warm fuzzies. I think this was my favorite of the Dreamland Billionaires trilogy, probably because it features all the other couples so much. It was exactly what I expected, pretty predictable but still cute. My biggest complaint is that a lot of the interactions between the characters feel exaggerated and unrealistic; no one is cackling, choking, and doubling over every time someone says something remotely funny.
Black Shield Maiden by Jess Hendel, Willow
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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? No
4.0
I really loved this book, it was exactly what I wanted it to be and it surpassed my expectations. I loved the characters, I loved the growth, I loved the care taken to build this world in a (I hope?) historically accurate way.
My only complaint with this story is how long it takes to feel like anything is really happening with the main plot. Such great care is taken to establish the setting that the beginning felt a bit slow. As someone who really enjoys reading historical fiction, I didn't mind it too much. Also, a lot of that world building is describing the MC's experience of life pre, during, and post being kidnapped by slavers, which is not only important to the story but also important to illustrate for anyone not familiar with the subject, like myself.
Once I hit 70%, I literally couldn't put it down. I have so much love for the core group of characters and the way they come together and fight for each other. A great take on found family, even when you find them in the worst ways imaginable. I loved how many strong, resilient women are in this story, and the way that two cultures come together in the most unlikely circumstances.
I also appreciate that this book doesn't really hand feed the reader information. There are details and elements of the story that connect and the authors don't explicitly explain it, there is an expectation that the reader will figure it out. This isn't an overly-easy read, which made it more enjoyable.
My only complaint with this story is how long it takes to feel like anything is really happening with the main plot. Such great care is taken to establish the setting that the beginning felt a bit slow. As someone who really enjoys reading historical fiction, I didn't mind it too much. Also, a lot of that world building is describing the MC's experience of life pre, during, and post being kidnapped by slavers, which is not only important to the story but also important to illustrate for anyone not familiar with the subject, like myself.
Once I hit 70%, I literally couldn't put it down. I have so much love for the core group of characters and the way they come together and fight for each other. A great take on found family, even when you find them in the worst ways imaginable. I loved how many strong, resilient women are in this story, and the way that two cultures come together in the most unlikely circumstances.
I also appreciate that this book doesn't really hand feed the reader information. There are details and elements of the story that connect and the authors don't explicitly explain it, there is an expectation that the reader will figure it out. This isn't an overly-easy read, which made it more enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death and Pregnancy
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story is very exemplary of Shirley Jackson’s writing. This is a different twist on her common themes of class identities, ostracism, and public persecution. I appreciated the elements of the burden of domesticity, agoraphobia, and obsessive compulsive thinking. Jackson has a distinct way of writing about people that adds to the tone of the story but can feel like it’s adding a lot of words with no plot advancement, and this story definitely had that element. While it felt very slow initially, things picked up about 30% of the way and I really enjoyed the character exploration throughout.
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
I know this book is satirical, but this Hunger Games version of the American carceral institution has a certain 'uncanny valley' quality to it, because it is so close to true but not quite. It took me a while to finish this book because it is quite bleak, but that is not a knock on this book, it's just a truth of the subject matter.
Adjei-Brenyah's writing style here is brutally direct and representative of said subject matter. You read something horrible and then it's on to the next thing because thats just the way it is when you're trapped in a brutal system. This book mocks any idea of prison being a rehabilitative program, and questions our goals of punishment and how the current system contributes to recidivism.
I really appreciated the way that references are cited throughout the story. It was a great reminder that this isn't just a story, that these horrors are based in fact and very much connected to our reality. This book should be required reading.
Adjei-Brenyah's writing style here is brutally direct and representative of said subject matter. You read something horrible and then it's on to the next thing because thats just the way it is when you're trapped in a brutal system. This book mocks any idea of prison being a rehabilitative program, and questions our goals of punishment and how the current system contributes to recidivism.
I really appreciated the way that references are cited throughout the story. It was a great reminder that this isn't just a story, that these horrors are based in fact and very much connected to our reality. This book should be required reading.
The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
This book was dark and delicious, I read it in a single day.
This story is a lovely exploration into sinister magical realism and lite body horror. The Bad Ones feels like a perfect fit into the cult fanaticism of powerful teenage girls a la The Craft and Jennifer’s Body.
I really enjoyed the back and forth between timelines and the slow progression into the MC coming to understand that she wasn’t alone in her body, I also really enjoyed the way that the prologue was used to set up questions and give hints that we slowly resolved throughout the rest of the book.
This story is a lovely exploration into sinister magical realism and lite body horror. The Bad Ones feels like a perfect fit into the cult fanaticism of powerful teenage girls a la The Craft and Jennifer’s Body.
I really enjoyed the back and forth between timelines and the slow progression into the MC coming to understand that she wasn’t alone in her body, I also really enjoyed the way that the prologue was used to set up questions and give hints that we slowly resolved throughout the rest of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Mass/school shootings
The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-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
4.5
If you like having your heart shredded while being immersed in the world of Greek mythology, this is the book for you. It is always very enjoyable to explore a version of the stories of the great heroes where the glory and power of men are nothing without the machinations of the women previously left in the background, and this book does this painfully well. Rosie Hewlett writes in a way that is straightforward and beautiful without feeling overly flowery or excessive.
Much like Circe and Ariadne, the story of Medea is not a kind one. I don't think I've ever wished for a happy ending for any character more than I wished one for her. Hewlett carefully weaves the human experiences of loss, trauma, and greed into the established mythology in such a way that Medea, the scary powerful witch, feels incredibly relatable. Ultimately this isn't just a story about a powerful woman, this is a story about a girl who is never shown love and clings to it wherever she can find it, which leaves her vulnerable and incredibly easy to manipulate. While her acts are misguided and reprehensible, her thoughts are explored in such a way that it was impossible for me not to empathize with her and understand her.
Much like Circe and Ariadne, the story of Medea is not a kind one. I don't think I've ever wished for a happy ending for any character more than I wished one for her. Hewlett carefully weaves the human experiences of loss, trauma, and greed into the established mythology in such a way that Medea, the scary powerful witch, feels incredibly relatable. Ultimately this isn't just a story about a powerful woman, this is a story about a girl who is never shown love and clings to it wherever she can find it, which leaves her vulnerable and incredibly easy to manipulate. While her acts are misguided and reprehensible, her thoughts are explored in such a way that it was impossible for me not to empathize with her and understand her.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death