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shereadytoread's Reviews (823)
tense
slow-paced
This book was one of the worst experiences I've ever had reading. At 332 pages, it rings in a good 150 pages too long.
Something that I LOATHE is an author treating it's readers like they cannot understand what is happening. Every event in the book happens in action and then characters are brought in to say out loud specifically what we just read to one another (or sometimes just to themselves). Also this book is repetitive to no end. Each character has nearly the exact same reaction to the paranormal event and verbally responds the same way almost word for word.
It's a book that tries to over explain the paranormal aspect, but sets up too many specifics that don't matter, and in some ways contradicts the character's experiences or motivations. This author cannot write women to save his life. She stops in the middle of what she thinks is a potentially dangerous situation to start talking about her weight. The author makes her a skeptic to the point that it makes no sense whatsoever. She believes it is a hoax past any rational point after experiencing multiple things, witnessing multiple things, and other victims.
Finally the book couldn't decide if it wanted to be a police procedural, a war narrative or a paranormal haunting and it did not mix the three well. We get a B-plot that adds an extra 75 pages to the story and doesn't matter at all to the plot or resolution in the end.
Something that I LOATHE is an author treating it's readers like they cannot understand what is happening. Every event in the book happens in action and then characters are brought in to say out loud specifically what we just read to one another (or sometimes just to themselves). Also this book is repetitive to no end. Each character has nearly the exact same reaction to the paranormal event and verbally responds the same way almost word for word.
It's a book that tries to over explain the paranormal aspect, but sets up too many specifics that don't matter, and in some ways contradicts the character's experiences or motivations. This author cannot write women to save his life. She stops in the middle of what she thinks is a potentially dangerous situation to start talking about her weight. The author makes her a skeptic to the point that it makes no sense whatsoever. She believes it is a hoax past any rational point after experiencing multiple things, witnessing multiple things, and other victims.
Finally the book couldn't decide if it wanted to be a police procedural, a war narrative or a paranormal haunting and it did not mix the three well. We get a B-plot that adds an extra 75 pages to the story and doesn't matter at all to the plot or resolution in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Medical content, Medical trauma
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a perfect wrap to the series, but had a very different feel than the other two books. While the first two very much gave a small town romance vibe, the last book mixes that with more of an industry/workplace romance that revolves around the "reality" of reality television. I enjoyed getting Tyrone's story.
emotional
slow-paced
emotional
funny
medium-paced
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
I thought the romance in this book was well written but the celebrity fanfiction aspect seemed to interrupt the story more than it added to the humor. The constant popup of celebs got a little tiresome and it continued to interrupt the emotional depth that was building between the characters. I really loved the characters though and I wish I could have just gotten and enjoyed their story.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Boys Weekend follows a no-rules bachelor weekend gone wrong for a newly out trans femme. The book combines the difficulty of coming out and "well-intentioned" friends who don't get it with a sci-fi horror. I enjoyed both pieces greatly. The book combines humor with heart and horror.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A sapphic slasher that packs a punch in a (relatively) short novel. This book kicks off from the start and has that great dread build of a slasher. As the reveals start to happen you're left trying to figure out who will survive. I was not a fan of all the twists, but I think overall the story came together well. It was fast-paced and action packed once things get going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Stalking
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a wild ride. There is a clear homage to horror films which was a bit heavy handed at times, but it definitely serves a purpose in the story. This was a bit more of a slow burn than I expected with slasher horror but once it takes off, it definitely goes from 0 to 100. The narrator is a bit unreliable as at times the readers is not sure what is reality and what is her fantasy, but it all comes together in an interesting way. As always SGJ is a master of atmosphere, really setting the community feel and he uses the woods/forest in a great way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
I enjoyed this book. A main character that is unlikeable to the point that most readers hate her, is difficult to pull off because you still have to be invested. Wow June's rationalizations, cognitive dissonance and straight up lies kept me pretty interested. You want to see her taken down and you wonder how it will happen.
I think this book stumbled a bit for me too long because we spend a bit of time in June's repeating thoughts. A lot of the publishing insight I think is a little obvious if you spend even a moderate amount of time in any online book community but I think the "peek behind the scenes" aspects were still fun.
R. F. Kuang certainly has a way of keeping me interested in genres/books that are pretty far outside my wheelhouse.
I think this book stumbled a bit for me too long because we spend a bit of time in June's repeating thoughts. A lot of the publishing insight I think is a little obvious if you spend even a moderate amount of time in any online book community but I think the "peek behind the scenes" aspects were still fun.
R. F. Kuang certainly has a way of keeping me interested in genres/books that are pretty far outside my wheelhouse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, War