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shereadytoread's Reviews (823)
I thought this book was a lot of fun but I found it very predictable. I still really enjoyed reading it but I saw every "twist" or reveal coming from a mile away. I started reading this in print and then switched over to the audio. I doubt I would have finished it in print due to the predictability.
If you want a cult horror that dips into the religious trauma associated with strict religious communities and excommunication, this is a good pick. It does dip into supernatural horror but it did a good job at building the unsettling feeling of the community first.
The audio narrator was good and I was able to stay engaged with the story.
Disclosure: I received a free print copy from the publisher.
If you want a cult horror that dips into the religious trauma associated with strict religious communities and excommunication, this is a good pick. It does dip into supernatural horror but it did a good job at building the unsettling feeling of the community first.
The audio narrator was good and I was able to stay engaged with the story.
Disclosure: I received a free print copy from the publisher.
dark
emotional
Being from this region, I thought the story perfectly captured the small coastal and islands attitude towards hurricane season. This story is quick and packs a punch. I loved the eeriness that builds through the conversations until the final interaction.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was a a good sci-fi technothriller. It revolves around multiple factions for and against a large tech company who built an elevator to space all taking interest in a low level employee who seems ordinary and doesn't know anything. This book talks a lot about introduction of AI into society and our changed relationship with leadership and labor. It also weighs in on indigenous sovereignty in the face of wealthy companies and nations.
I think it was a really interesting story but they stuff too many plot lines and twists into such a short story, it left everything feeling rushed and unfinished. If you like a super fast-paced story and you're okay with glazing over the details, this is a perfect read for you. I read it in one quick sitting and think it was an okay enjoyable read.
Disclosure: I received a free gifted copy from the publisher.
I think it was a really interesting story but they stuff too many plot lines and twists into such a short story, it left everything feeling rushed and unfinished. If you like a super fast-paced story and you're okay with glazing over the details, this is a perfect read for you. I read it in one quick sitting and think it was an okay enjoyable read.
Disclosure: I received a free gifted copy from the publisher.
adventurous
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was an interesting premise and the addition of the mystery was fun. The theme of the circles kept it from getting too repetitive but I think the book struggled with pacing between the competition rounds and the romance/mystery plot lines.
Where this book faltered to me is the idea that it is a “dark fantasy romance”. It does have violence and trials but is more or less hell-themed hunger games. It is definitely not “dark” in the way that we usually think of dark romance. The romance has a lot of snarky banter and then is pretty sweet. The setting is dark but that’s about it.
Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Where this book faltered to me is the idea that it is a “dark fantasy romance”. It does have violence and trials but is more or less hell-themed hunger games. It is definitely not “dark” in the way that we usually think of dark romance. The romance has a lot of snarky banter and then is pretty sweet. The setting is dark but that’s about it.
Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cade Webster finds out that you should be careful what you wish for.
Being a star athlete at a wealthy school, and coming from a poor neighborhood, Cade knows what it’s like to feel like he doesn’t belong. After being racially profiled resulting in an encounter with the police, he wishes that people would stop being so scared around him … and it happens.
This sets off unintended and unintended terrifying consequences as reckless, fearless behavior spreads and Cade is up against a dark force he could have never foreseen.
This book was fun! I loved the way that the wish was circumvented and spins out of control. The background story of the evil forces at play was really interesting, and how it was all worked into the modern world played well. This is a book that is firmly grounded in real world issues with social commentary, but doesn’t feel like it’s preaching to you or lecturing you. I think the book leans a little too far into the supernatural elements towards the end and it felt a little disjointed with the rest of the story. It definitely added some action though. I think the last chapter would have been better fit within the epilogue because it felt like the beginning of a completely different story instead of the ending of this one.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from NetGalley and a free finished copy from the publisher.
Being a star athlete at a wealthy school, and coming from a poor neighborhood, Cade knows what it’s like to feel like he doesn’t belong. After being racially profiled resulting in an encounter with the police, he wishes that people would stop being so scared around him … and it happens.
This sets off unintended and unintended terrifying consequences as reckless, fearless behavior spreads and Cade is up against a dark force he could have never foreseen.
This book was fun! I loved the way that the wish was circumvented and spins out of control. The background story of the evil forces at play was really interesting, and how it was all worked into the modern world played well. This is a book that is firmly grounded in real world issues with social commentary, but doesn’t feel like it’s preaching to you or lecturing you. I think the book leans a little too far into the supernatural elements towards the end and it felt a little disjointed with the rest of the story. It definitely added some action though. I think the last chapter would have been better fit within the epilogue because it felt like the beginning of a completely different story instead of the ending of this one.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from NetGalley and a free finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I completed a tandem read (listening to the audio while reading the physical book) so I'm going to split up my thoughts on the book in general and the audiobook.
This book deals with themes of environmental conservation, capitalism, heteronormativity and reproduction centering on a forced polycule on a distant colony planet. Our main characters are two queer women (she/her pronouns but concepts of gender are rather fluid and discussed) along with another character who is discussed in a way that indicates he is asexual, but not explicitly stated to be so.
This book is rather unique in premise. It is a dark story of a toxic relationship that is taking place against a ecohorror backdrop on a colonized planet. The horror is ever looming and evolving but it is not the point (in my opinion) of the story. We follow a relationship first broken by circumstance and then broken by toxic cycles that have developed since. The characters are not very likeable but their flaws are what make the tale possible. They first make hard choices out of obligation, and then harder choices out of obsession.
The horror elements dominate the last third of the novella, but the tense and uncomfortable relationship falling apart throughout the story was just as striking for me.
Audiobook: The audiobook was well done and I think the narrator did a pretty good job differentiating the main characters from one another but not as much was given to differentiating side characters. I don't think the audiobook really adds anything that I would recommend it over the print, but I think you could have generally the same experience with either.
Disclosure: I received an ALC from Netgalley and a finished print copy from the publisher.
This book deals with themes of environmental conservation, capitalism, heteronormativity and reproduction centering on a forced polycule on a distant colony planet. Our main characters are two queer women (she/her pronouns but concepts of gender are rather fluid and discussed) along with another character who is discussed in a way that indicates he is asexual, but not explicitly stated to be so.
This book is rather unique in premise. It is a dark story of a toxic relationship that is taking place against a ecohorror backdrop on a colonized planet. The horror is ever looming and evolving but it is not the point (in my opinion) of the story. We follow a relationship first broken by circumstance and then broken by toxic cycles that have developed since. The characters are not very likeable but their flaws are what make the tale possible. They first make hard choices out of obligation, and then harder choices out of obsession.
The horror elements dominate the last third of the novella, but the tense and uncomfortable relationship falling apart throughout the story was just as striking for me.
Audiobook: The audiobook was well done and I think the narrator did a pretty good job differentiating the main characters from one another but not as much was given to differentiating side characters. I don't think the audiobook really adds anything that I would recommend it over the print, but I think you could have generally the same experience with either.
Disclosure: I received an ALC from Netgalley and a finished print copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence, War
Minor: Animal death
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book. The romance was sweet but the setting really steals the show. The author manages to describe the food and locations in such a clear way that you can see it (and get a little hungry). I loved that the book addressed how the Vietnam War affected those who left the country, those who stayed, and the generations since. It was a great perspective on how members of a diaspora connect with the heritage and homeland. I really enjoyed getting to read books from a culture that I don't often see represented.
Disclaimer: I originally received this book as part of a paid promotional partnership with the publisher. No review was requested or required and all opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I originally received this book as part of a paid promotional partnership with the publisher. No review was requested or required and all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: War
funny
informative
I really enjoyed this book. I will say I am not a "weenie" and absolutely love horror movies so I was already familiar with all of the films discussed in this book. As someone that loves horror movies, I thought that I might find this boring, but it was quite the opposite. It was great to revisit many of my favorite movies and the additional discussions around each movie was great. It was like listening to one of my favorite horror movie podcasts. There is a detailed plot overview as well as the importance of each film in film and horror history.
I loved that the author added a recommended reading list to end of each chapter if someone is too nervous to watch the movie or if they want similar vibes in books. The author includes "you could probably watch this if ..." and "you'll want to avoid this movie if ..." recommendations for those who are scared to watch but maybe want to give some of the movies a try. It also includes fun facts to jump into horror movie conversations that don't require you having seen the movie.
I am not sure if the print version has movie illustrations but I hope so! I'll be looking for a print copy soon. The narrator is great as well. My only drawback (and it's personal preference) was there are some slang? (if you want to call it that) statements at some point that felt odd from this narrator, but wouldn't bother me if I was reading the print.
Disclaimer: I received a free ALC from Netgalley.
I loved that the author added a recommended reading list to end of each chapter if someone is too nervous to watch the movie or if they want similar vibes in books. The author includes "you could probably watch this if ..." and "you'll want to avoid this movie if ..." recommendations for those who are scared to watch but maybe want to give some of the movies a try. It also includes fun facts to jump into horror movie conversations that don't require you having seen the movie.
I am not sure if the print version has movie illustrations but I hope so! I'll be looking for a print copy soon. The narrator is great as well. My only drawback (and it's personal preference) was there are some slang? (if you want to call it that) statements at some point that felt odd from this narrator, but wouldn't bother me if I was reading the print.
Disclaimer: I received a free ALC from Netgalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Racism
emotional
fast-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:
No
I loved this. No complaints. No notes. The romance was great. The paranormal show aspect was good. Both characters had good growth and tension in their individual plot lines.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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, Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit