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kalventure's reviews
519 reviews
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
Dead End Girls by Wendy Heard
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Told in dual timelines, Dead End Girls is the sapphic thriller you didn't know you needed in your life! Tightly plotted, the book is full of action and high stakes that is utterly addictive and impossible to put down. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time while listening. Protect Maude & Frankie!
This plot is bonkers in the best of ways. From pseudocide to accidental murder and running from the cops (as well as their past), Maude and Frankie are going through it in this book and just trying to start over. Maude's a mastermind who's probably watched way too much True Crime Content and I'm honestly in awe of her brain. But as they find out: even the best laid plans cannot account for everything.
I love that we learn about Frankie's reasons for wanting to disappear through timeline POV chapters, slowly piecing together everything as the chapters get closer to the present-day. We learn so much about Frankie's character through these flashbacks.
Words cannot express how much I adore Maude and Frankie. They start out as partners-in-crime but their chemistry sparks and the their slowburn romance so good. Because honestly, falling in love while on the run from the police is just iconic.
Dead End Girls is explosive, gripping the reader from the first page until the last. I love the way things get more and more unhinged as they stray further from The Plan, doing their best and making some of the worst decisions possible. But this book also explores identity: as Maude and Frankie escape their lives, their narratives explore question the sexuality and gender, making Dead End Girls a beautiful coming of age story of self-acceptance in addition to a captivating sapphic thriller. Highly recommended and this won't be my last book from Wendy Heard!
Audiobook notes: 10/10 performance from Natalie Naudus & Taylor Meskimen! They really brought the story and characters to life and somehow managed to instill the page-turning sense of urgency with their narration.
Representation: nonbinary rep, wlnb, sapphic, fat rep
ALC provided by the publisher via Netgalley for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
This plot is bonkers in the best of ways. From pseudocide to accidental murder and running from the cops (as well as their past), Maude and Frankie are going through it in this book and just trying to start over. Maude's a mastermind who's probably watched way too much True Crime Content and I'm honestly in awe of her brain. But as they find out: even the best laid plans cannot account for everything.
I love that we learn about Frankie's reasons for wanting to disappear through timeline POV chapters, slowly piecing together everything as the chapters get closer to the present-day. We learn so much about Frankie's character through these flashbacks.
Words cannot express how much I adore Maude and Frankie. They start out as partners-in-crime but their chemistry sparks and the their slowburn romance so good. Because honestly, falling in love while on the run from the police is just iconic.
Dead End Girls is explosive, gripping the reader from the first page until the last. I love the way things get more and more unhinged as they stray further from The Plan, doing their best and making some of the worst decisions possible. But this book also explores identity: as Maude and Frankie escape their lives, their narratives explore question the sexuality and gender, making Dead End Girls a beautiful coming of age story of self-acceptance in addition to a captivating sapphic thriller. Highly recommended and this won't be my last book from Wendy Heard!
Audiobook notes: 10/10 performance from Natalie Naudus & Taylor Meskimen! They really brought the story and characters to life and somehow managed to instill the page-turning sense of urgency with their narration.
Representation: nonbinary rep, wlnb, sapphic, fat rep
ALC provided by the publisher via Netgalley for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
Very Bad People by Kit Frick
Overall I enjoyed this one, but imagine you read an entire book and the very last paragraph makes you groan and leaves a sour taste in your mouth. 😭
"It's the Bolan girls. The ones who survived. We don't live in a fairy tale, but people regard us, sometimes, as if we are more story than girl. More myth than flesh that hurts and bleeds and grieves."
Sixteen year old Calliope lives in a small town in the Adirondacks with her father and two younger sisters, a life where she is known by everyone and her trauma is common knowledge. I can't imagine having the worst day of my life on everyone's mind and being something I cannot escape, so my heart instantly hurt for Calliope and her family. The hometown she never envisioned leaving suddenly became a place she couldn't wait to escape.
Mysteries old and new collide when sixteen year old Calliope transfers to Tipton Academy and she realizes there may be more to the "accident" that caused her mother's death six years ago. She's almost immediately tapped to join Haunt and Rail, the only active secret society at the academy. But where most secret societies brim with privilege and elitism, Haunt and Rail serves as a social justice society that encourages the school and community to do better.
Mysteries old and new collide when sixteen year old Calliope transfers to Tipton Academy and she realizes there may be more to the "accident" that caused her mother's death six years ago. She's almost immediately tapped to join Haunt and Rail, the only active secret society at the academy. But where most secret societies brim with privilege and elitism, Haunt and Rail serves as a social justice society that encourages the school and community to do better.
"The society's purpose will be to haunt and rail, that is to clandestinely observe injustices, inequities, and bad actors at Tipton Academy, and to rail against their wrongs."
A girl who's been searching for where she belongs, Calliope finds her place at Tipton and a purpose within Haunt and Rail. But are things as good as they seem?
Full of moral quandaries and ethical debate, Calliope is forced to reconcile her belief in the rules with disruption of inspiring change. Is it wrong to break a rule if it is for a good reason? If so, how big of a rule can you break before it skews into Bad Territory?
Full of moral quandaries and ethical debate, Calliope is forced to reconcile her belief in the rules with disruption of inspiring change. Is it wrong to break a rule if it is for a good reason? If so, how big of a rule can you break before it skews into Bad Territory?
"Tipton guards its own, even when it means protecting very bad people."
I loved the subtle critique on the systems in place that make progress difficult and how Tipton Academy basically serves as a microcosm for society at large. The people in power protect their own and the systems in place are built to maintain the status quo. The red tape and bureaucracies, how often (student) government actions make little progress at all; it highlights not only the need for social justice but also importance of awareness campaigns... and how they must appeal to what people care about.
“I came back to Tipton ready to open my eyes to the real story, messy and imperfect, and that’s exactly what I got.”
While I wasn't fully invested in any of the characters per se, I really liked the relationship between Calliope and Nico. They are just two kids who have no idea what they're doing, full of awkward behavior and assumptions. It was so refreshing to see Calliope be brave and direct, expressing not only what she wants and asking for permission, but also seeking clarification to avoid misunderstandings.
This is a book that's a wild ride, fully engaging with a web of secrets and mysteries the reader and Calliope must unravel together. The writing style is very blunt and to the point, which makes it easy to consume in one sitting. The ending isn't quite what I like to see in a book, but I can understand why Kit wrote it the way she did (doesn't mean I like it though!). If you like your characters morally grey, then Very Bad People is a must-read!
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
This is a book that's a wild ride, fully engaging with a web of secrets and mysteries the reader and Calliope must unravel together. The writing style is very blunt and to the point, which makes it easy to consume in one sitting. The ending isn't quite what I like to see in a book, but I can understand why Kit wrote it the way she did (doesn't mean I like it though!). If you like your characters morally grey, then Very Bad People is a must-read!
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
3.0
I still think about how much I enjoyed Jar of Hearts back in 2018, so of course I jumped at the opportunity to read Hillier's upcoming July 2022 release. While I didn't quite enjoy this one as much, it was a powerful and engaging read.
"Paris should have known it would end like this, because there's no such thing as happily ever after when you run away from one life to start a whole new one. Karma has come for her."
- Deals with heavy topics of child abuse, cycles of abuse, and statutory rape. It's painful to read at times, so be sure to be in the right mindset when picking this one up.
- More of a mystery than a thriller, so go in with the right expectations.
- Told in six parts and in dual timelines, the pacing feels a little uneven and the narrative a little repetitive at times. Drew's POVs often shared the same information and by the latter third of the book, it dragged things for me.
- I'm sorry but why didn't they use her doing Sun Salutations in the holding cell the morning after her husband was murder as evidence of her guilt?
- More of a mystery than a thriller, so go in with the right expectations.
- Told in six parts and in dual timelines, the pacing feels a little uneven and the narrative a little repetitive at times. Drew's POVs often shared the same information and by the latter third of the book, it dragged things for me.
- I'm sorry but why didn't they use her doing Sun Salutations in the holding cell the morning after her husband was murder as evidence of her guilt?
"while you can reinvent yourself, you can't outrun yourself. As a woman once reminded her a long time ago, the common denominator in all the terrible things that have happened to you is you. Everywhere you go, there you are."
Content warnings: abuse, blood, child abuse, drug abuse, mentions of mental illness and suicide, misogyny, murder, sex work and Opinions about sex workers, statutory rape
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson
3.0
I really wish I loved this one more than I did, but sadly the writing style and narrative flow just wasn't for me. Everything felt too obvious and "on the nose", the first-person narrative exacerbated that with the main character talking in circles about the obvious Red Flags, and then deciding to do it anyways.
I love the sibling relationship in this book and Myra's quiet determination to take care of her sister, no matter the risk. The scenes where they interact were so much FUN and I wish the narrative had more of the interactions rather than descriptions and being in the MC's head.
While A Forgery of Roses wasn't for me doesn't mean you won't enjoy it, we all have different tastes and preferences. Read my friend Meaghan's 4.5 star review before making a decision!
Representation: anxiety, chronic illness
Content warnings: abandonment, ableism, child death, gore, graphic injury, loss of a loved one, miscarriage
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and are subject to change upon final publication.
I love the sibling relationship in this book and Myra's quiet determination to take care of her sister, no matter the risk. The scenes where they interact were so much FUN and I wish the narrative had more of the interactions rather than descriptions and being in the MC's head.
While A Forgery of Roses wasn't for me doesn't mean you won't enjoy it, we all have different tastes and preferences. Read my friend Meaghan's 4.5 star review before making a decision!
Representation: anxiety, chronic illness
Content warnings: abandonment, ableism, child death, gore, graphic injury, loss of a loved one, miscarriage
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and are subject to change upon final publication.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Imagine this: you're weeks into a reading slump and missing your favorite hobby so much. You glance at your colorful bookshelves longingly, with a silent wish that something would grip your attention so you can get lost in another world. A blue spine stands out among the paperback shelves... and here Beach Read is. You don't know where it came from or how long its been there. But it calls to you so you get comfortable, crack it open, and are swept away by the most delightful of books.
Beach Read is an absolute delight and I wish I could read it for the first time again. I don't read a lot of romance, so the fact it was on my shelves is a bit surprising to me but I am so glad I own a copy of this delightfully funny and sarcastic rom-com! It feeds my soul in a way I don't think I can articulate and quite frankly has opened my mind up to a slew of new reading opportunities.
Beach Read is an absolute delight and I wish I could read it for the first time again. I don't read a lot of romance, so the fact it was on my shelves is a bit surprising to me but I am so glad I own a copy of this delightfully funny and sarcastic rom-com! It feeds my soul in a way I don't think I can articulate and quite frankly has opened my mind up to a slew of new reading opportunities.
"That feeling that a new world was being spun like a spiderweb around you and you couldn't move until the whole thing had revealed itself to you."
Beach Read is as much about writer's block as it is about romance. It's a love letter to fiction and the craft of writing when for one reason or another it's become difficult. It's about the craft of writing romance novels while itself being a romance novel - I adore how meta it feels.
"No matter how much shit, there will always be wildflowers."
The writing is instantly and effortlessly engaging and the book is simply devourable - the very definition of a beach read. Emily Henry is skilled at writing tension and attraction: every interaction between the pair sparks. And as a Type A person who is very competitive, the whole concept of the writing bet between these two authors speaks to me.
You see, January Andrews has gone through it the last year and is very late to deliver her newest romance novel because it turns out it's difficult to write about happy endings when your whole worldview has been shattered. She heads to a small town in Michigan to hunker down and write, only to find her next door neighbor is her rival from university. Her ridiculously good looking rival who barely knew she existed and is a "serious literary fiction" author.
Augustus Everett. Gus. I don't know why I am always for the broody type. One thing I really enjoyed about Gus is that January's memory of him in college doesn't quite match him in reality (isn't that always the case?). First impressions and assumptions held over the years are tested while they both try to write their next book.
Enter: the bet.
January is to write a dark and gritty literary fiction book, Gus to write a romantic comedy. Each week they arrange outings and lessons to introduce each other to their genres. And as the weeks pass, they get closer and I felt like a giddy schoolgirl hoping they would hurry up and kiss already.
The barbed banter between Gus and MC is so good that I found myself laughing out loud often, falling quickly for this writing pair and hoping they would get together. All of the characters are soo full of life and well rounded, and I found myself relating to everyone at one point or another. The world Henry crafted feels lived in and real.
You see, January Andrews has gone through it the last year and is very late to deliver her newest romance novel because it turns out it's difficult to write about happy endings when your whole worldview has been shattered. She heads to a small town in Michigan to hunker down and write, only to find her next door neighbor is her rival from university. Her ridiculously good looking rival who barely knew she existed and is a "serious literary fiction" author.
Augustus Everett. Gus. I don't know why I am always for the broody type. One thing I really enjoyed about Gus is that January's memory of him in college doesn't quite match him in reality (isn't that always the case?). First impressions and assumptions held over the years are tested while they both try to write their next book.
Enter: the bet.
January is to write a dark and gritty literary fiction book, Gus to write a romantic comedy. Each week they arrange outings and lessons to introduce each other to their genres. And as the weeks pass, they get closer and I felt like a giddy schoolgirl hoping they would hurry up and kiss already.
The barbed banter between Gus and MC is so good that I found myself laughing out loud often, falling quickly for this writing pair and hoping they would get together. All of the characters are soo full of life and well rounded, and I found myself relating to everyone at one point or another. The world Henry crafted feels lived in and real.
"When it came down to it, we both wanted the same thing. A life cast in a magical glow, every moment bigger and brighter than the last."
The way Gus stole my heart should be illegal. He is flawed and jaded and our view of him is limited to January's POV, and I honestly kind of loved that (although Gus POVs would have been cool, too).
This book is feel-good with a ton of heart for the genre. I had no expectations going into it and this book was exactly what I needed to shake the last vestiges of my reading slump: it's quick paced and laugh out loud funny, and it won't be the last book by this author that I read!
This book is feel-good with a ton of heart for the genre. I had no expectations going into it and this book was exactly what I needed to shake the last vestiges of my reading slump: it's quick paced and laugh out loud funny, and it won't be the last book by this author that I read!
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles
The duology is plotted well and I love that all the mystery of Glorian laid out at the end of Where Dreams Descend take center stage in this book. The worldbuilding is vast and expands our understanding of the world Angeles created but I struggled with keeping everything together. There's this moment in the book where Kallia asks "What the fuck is going on?" and that's basically how I felt most of this book.
Revelation after revelation, at times it felt like the plot was a giant WTF wrapped up in a character who doesn't tell the truth to conveniently make all of this confusion possible. I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope where everything would basically be fine if someone would have spent 5 minutes at the start. While the allure and mystery of Jack in the first book kept my annoyance at bay, for some reason it bothered me more in WNB. I never really got a valid sense of why; rather, I found a very good reason for him to be honest with her if he really wanted to ~protect her~. Then again, characters -- just like people -- don't make sense sometimes!
The theme of memory and trust are again at the fore throughout as Kallia and the reader are never really sure what is true. Reality blurs and so much is unknown by our main characters, and the way worldbuilding is revealed is like standing on shifting sand… constantly leading you to readjust your footing.
Overall I enjoyed this debut fantasy duology and would recommend it to fans of magical fantasy stories where trust is precious and the book keeps you guessing.
eARC provided by the publisher Wednesday Books for my honest review. This has not impacted my reading opinions or the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
"Misinformation grows faster than knowledge, and people will take to it first."
I really enjoyed Where Dreams Descend and was so excited to read the finale of the duology and get answers. What is Glorian? Why can't people remember things? Why is Jack a butt? I love how everything came together, characters dealt with the consequences of their actions, the beautiful writing, and revelations were made, but I did find myself a little confused and frustrated by all the lying and gatekeeping of information.
"Everyone lies. Sometimes they have to, sometimes they want to. But good or bad, we all lie --especially when it comes to power."
The duology is plotted well and I love that all the mystery of Glorian laid out at the end of Where Dreams Descend take center stage in this book. The worldbuilding is vast and expands our understanding of the world Angeles created but I struggled with keeping everything together. There's this moment in the book where Kallia asks "What the fuck is going on?" and that's basically how I felt most of this book.
Revelation after revelation, at times it felt like the plot was a giant WTF wrapped up in a character who doesn't tell the truth to conveniently make all of this confusion possible. I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope where everything would basically be fine if someone would have spent 5 minutes at the start. While the allure and mystery of Jack in the first book kept my annoyance at bay, for some reason it bothered me more in WNB. I never really got a valid sense of why; rather, I found a very good reason for him to be honest with her if he really wanted to ~protect her~. Then again, characters -- just like people -- don't make sense sometimes!
"Even in a world of illusions, the truth will come out."
The theme of memory and trust are again at the fore throughout as Kallia and the reader are never really sure what is true. Reality blurs and so much is unknown by our main characters, and the way worldbuilding is revealed is like standing on shifting sand… constantly leading you to readjust your footing.
Overall I enjoyed this debut fantasy duology and would recommend it to fans of magical fantasy stories where trust is precious and the book keeps you guessing.
eARC provided by the publisher Wednesday Books for my honest review. This has not impacted my reading opinions or the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.