Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ahartfullofbooks's reviews
629 reviews
Chlorine by Jade Song
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Chlorine is a hauntingly twisted coming of age tale about a girl obsessed with mermaids and professional swimming. Ren is such a compelling character and the sapphic romance is bittersweet and enthralling. I honestly could not put this book down even during some of the most gruesome scenes in the story. I loved the sports centric plot and loved reading about a strong, athletic, female character slowly losing her touch with reality. The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because the ending fell flat for me, I can see why it ends the way it does and it fits the story but personally it was not to my liking. If you’re looking for a weird, slow burn horror with a strong female lead I highly recommend Chlorine. This book was so disturbing to me, I’ll be haunted by for it months…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.0
Castro’s writing is very blunt and it’s always hard for me to get into at first which affects my overall enjoyment of her books, but it’s very much a personal taste. If you’re looking for flowery, descriptive prose or a complex horror novel I wouldn’t recommend this one, as it’s very point blank and you have to accept a lot and just move on.
If you can do that though, this novel tells and eerie tale of a woman stuck in her depression hating her life, her children, her husband, and herself, all while being haunted by an entity she assumes is La Llorona. Alejandra at first is insufferable because she is so miserable but once she starts seeing a therapist and valuing herself, she begins to find the power within her self to not only change her life but defeat the curse of La Llorona for good.
While Castro’s writing style isn’t my favorite I always love her strong female characters, her ability to create terrifying imagery, and the strong cultural elements she weaves into her story. If you’re looking for a well crafted supernatural tale about strong women, generational trauma, and identity this one is worth trying!
If you can do that though, this novel tells and eerie tale of a woman stuck in her depression hating her life, her children, her husband, and herself, all while being haunted by an entity she assumes is La Llorona. Alejandra at first is insufferable because she is so miserable but once she starts seeing a therapist and valuing herself, she begins to find the power within her self to not only change her life but defeat the curse of La Llorona for good.
While Castro’s writing style isn’t my favorite I always love her strong female characters, her ability to create terrifying imagery, and the strong cultural elements she weaves into her story. If you’re looking for a well crafted supernatural tale about strong women, generational trauma, and identity this one is worth trying!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.0
This “novel” is absolute garbage. How this book was published let alone praised is mind boggling.
Why does this book suck?
-characters are weak, unoriginal, and poorly crafted. Every female in this story is raped, tortured, and valueless. The only merit a female has in this novel is what she offers a man, or what a man does to her, or how she can be used against a man. There is rape or mentions of rape in almost every chapter and it’s thrown in like it’s nothing. Pierce Brown should take some classes on sexism and how writing scenes like this when they have no context of what they are talking about is harmful. Along with the lack of any actual female characters, the main character is a joke. His alliances change every page or so, he is a misogynist, he is a Mary-Sue amazing at everything and he is overall dull.
-The Plot. The plot is a mash up of every single YA apocalyptic story you’ve ever read but the cheap knock off version. You have Hunger games, Divergent, and even Harry Potter all thrown in to create this monstrosity. Nothing is original, everything is taken from something else, and the plot of Darrow rising to I guess avenge his people is lost in the silly “war school” which is basically Harry potter but without the magic, atmosphere, gripping characters, exciting trials, or anything of merit really. The plot devolves into raping young girls while the men suck their own dicks to claim the title of “proctor” or “primus”. The misogyny is absolutely rampant.
- this “novel” is the biggest toxic masculinity, misogynistic, idiotic, compilation of text I have ever seen. This is by far the WORST book I have read this year and I think it is actually detrimental to society.
Do not read this book where women are raped and considered things, where the main character justifies the rape by saying it’s simply “war crimes” where men are emasculated every page and beaten down to make the main character look valuable. There is nothing good about this book and I’m personally offended that this was published let alone allowed to continue in a series. Do not let your teen read this, do not let anyone you care about read this. This is MY OPINION and I am not ashamed to share it. Whoever read this and decided to market it let alone published at all should be ashamed.
Why does this book suck?
-characters are weak, unoriginal, and poorly crafted. Every female in this story is raped, tortured, and valueless. The only merit a female has in this novel is what she offers a man, or what a man does to her, or how she can be used against a man. There is rape or mentions of rape in almost every chapter and it’s thrown in like it’s nothing. Pierce Brown should take some classes on sexism and how writing scenes like this when they have no context of what they are talking about is harmful. Along with the lack of any actual female characters, the main character is a joke. His alliances change every page or so, he is a misogynist, he is a Mary-Sue amazing at everything and he is overall dull.
-The Plot. The plot is a mash up of every single YA apocalyptic story you’ve ever read but the cheap knock off version. You have Hunger games, Divergent, and even Harry Potter all thrown in to create this monstrosity. Nothing is original, everything is taken from something else, and the plot of Darrow rising to I guess avenge his people is lost in the silly “war school” which is basically Harry potter but without the magic, atmosphere, gripping characters, exciting trials, or anything of merit really. The plot devolves into raping young girls while the men suck their own dicks to claim the title of “proctor” or “primus”. The misogyny is absolutely rampant.
- this “novel” is the biggest toxic masculinity, misogynistic, idiotic, compilation of text I have ever seen. This is by far the WORST book I have read this year and I think it is actually detrimental to society.
Do not read this book where women are raped and considered things, where the main character justifies the rape by saying it’s simply “war crimes” where men are emasculated every page and beaten down to make the main character look valuable. There is nothing good about this book and I’m personally offended that this was published let alone allowed to continue in a series. Do not let your teen read this, do not let anyone you care about read this. This is MY OPINION and I am not ashamed to share it. Whoever read this and decided to market it let alone published at all should be ashamed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Classism
Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A very strange, gruesome and haunting novella about an unfaithful husband and the undiagnosed disease he contracts. Full of body horror and disgusting scenes this one is way out there! Really enjoyed the weird gruesomeness of this novella
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-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
3.0
First time using this as a read aloud for 5th. I think it goes along well with our social studies units and brought up some interesting conversations but it wasn’t the most interesting book. Students weren’t as engaged as when we read Restart, this is definitely for those that enjoy historical fiction but it did its
The September House by Carissa Orlando
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The September House was absolutely gruesome in so many ways, I absolutely loved it. I am always on the search for the next great haunted house read and September House is now one of my top ten. Margaret is living in a haunted house that acts up every September but she’s learned to live with it. According to Margaret everything is survivable, as long as you follow the rules….
Filled with real and supernatural terrors, this book was addictive and hard to out down. Highly recommend especially if you love haunted house horror.
Filled with real and supernatural terrors, this book was addictive and hard to out down. Highly recommend especially if you love haunted house horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Last Days by Adam L.G. Nevill
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Adam Nevill is one of my all time favorite horror authors. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and was not disappointed!
Kyle is an indie documentarian offered the deal of a lifetime: to shoot an exclusive documentary with never before interviewed members from the gruesome Last Days cult. As Kyle and his friend Dan interview ex members and slowly begin unraveling the truth behind this cult the less likely they are to survive…
Ghosts, cults, possessions, and the mix of lore that Nevill is so gifted at make this another must read in my opinion. If you’re looking for some fast paced, lore centric, truly terrifying horror I’d recommend anything by Adam Nevill.
Kyle is an indie documentarian offered the deal of a lifetime: to shoot an exclusive documentary with never before interviewed members from the gruesome Last Days cult. As Kyle and his friend Dan interview ex members and slowly begin unraveling the truth behind this cult the less likely they are to survive…
Ghosts, cults, possessions, and the mix of lore that Nevill is so gifted at make this another must read in my opinion. If you’re looking for some fast paced, lore centric, truly terrifying horror I’d recommend anything by Adam Nevill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Alcohol
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
The Vampires are based on Twilight, which is a joke. So if you love Twilight you’ll love this, but if you’re into blood sucking undead vampires that can’t walk in the sun, this one’s not for us.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
Overall I enjoyed the second book in the Stern series but not as much as Ninth House.
Problems:
-This book is WAY too long. The main plot of the novel is getting Darlington back from Hell and it takes the ENTIRE book to do it. In order to make it more complex Bardugo throws in some murder mystery that honestly just fizzles out and makes no sense. Described as “a distraction” by the characters comes off more as a ploy to extend page count to the reader. The murder mystery doesn’t really make any sense, the motives were weak and they move in so quickly.
-you have to suspend your belief ALOT. Characters in this book make choices that don’t make sense or are unreasonable. Like Turner and Tripp agreeing to go to hell to retrieve a person who is basically an acquaintance for honestly no reason was a big one. Also Alex’s decision to include Mercy and her automatically being ok with EVERYTHING is another example of unrealistic behavior by characters. Along with these examples are the way too convenient solutions to conflicts in the novel. Everything always wraps up nicely due to some “lucky circumstance” it gets a bit tiring.
-typos GALORE. There were so many grammatical errors and typos in Hell Bent, it was ridiculous. I’d catch one every chapter amongst!
-repetitive. Alex has the same inner dialogue about being a bad person every chapter and it’s unnecessary. It felt like Bardugo would write this in chunks after extended amounts of time because every chapter had the same inner monologue recap. I can only read about Alex blaming herself for everything so many times before it gets beyond irritating.
Good:
-the characters. Honestly I enjoy this series mainly for the cast of characters Bardugo has crafted. They’re all lovable in their own way and despite some of the plot driven choices they make, they do all feel like real people.
-the setting! I love this magical dark side of Yale and some of my favorite parts of the book involve the societies and the magic that each house holds. Unfortunately, there was much less of that aspect in this book since the focus was getting Darlington out of hell.
Will I continue? Yes, I definitely will. I hope the next book tightens up a bit and doesn’t display the same YA leaning plot devices and solutions, like Hell Bent did. Overall I did enjoy this book but I didn’t it love it, which is why 3/5 is my final rating
Problems:
-This book is WAY too long. The main plot of the novel is getting Darlington back from Hell and it takes the ENTIRE book to do it. In order to make it more complex Bardugo throws in some murder mystery that honestly just fizzles out and makes no sense. Described as “a distraction” by the characters comes off more as a ploy to extend page count to the reader. The murder mystery doesn’t really make any sense, the motives were weak and they move in so quickly.
-you have to suspend your belief ALOT. Characters in this book make choices that don’t make sense or are unreasonable. Like Turner and Tripp agreeing to go to hell to retrieve a person who is basically an acquaintance for honestly no reason was a big one. Also Alex’s decision to include Mercy and her automatically being ok with EVERYTHING is another example of unrealistic behavior by characters. Along with these examples are the way too convenient solutions to conflicts in the novel. Everything always wraps up nicely due to some “lucky circumstance” it gets a bit tiring.
-typos GALORE. There were so many grammatical errors and typos in Hell Bent, it was ridiculous. I’d catch one every chapter amongst!
-repetitive. Alex has the same inner dialogue about being a bad person every chapter and it’s unnecessary. It felt like Bardugo would write this in chunks after extended amounts of time because every chapter had the same inner monologue recap. I can only read about Alex blaming herself for everything so many times before it gets beyond irritating.
Good:
-the characters. Honestly I enjoy this series mainly for the cast of characters Bardugo has crafted. They’re all lovable in their own way and despite some of the plot driven choices they make, they do all feel like real people.
-the setting! I love this magical dark side of Yale and some of my favorite parts of the book involve the societies and the magic that each house holds. Unfortunately, there was much less of that aspect in this book since the focus was getting Darlington out of hell.
Will I continue? Yes, I definitely will. I hope the next book tightens up a bit and doesn’t display the same YA leaning plot devices and solutions, like Hell Bent did. Overall I did enjoy this book but I didn’t it love it, which is why 3/5 is my final rating
Crossroads by Laurel Hightower
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
A haunting ghost story that explores the darkness of grief and what some may be willing to do for its relief.
I listened to the audiobook for this novella and it was like a friend telling me a detailed ghost story where the main character just can’t see what’s right in front of them! This was suspenseful,
terrifying, and heartbreaking all at once. The narrator did an excellent job conveying the horror in this novella. I found myself wincing and cringing during some of the more horrifying moments because the narration was so visceral.
If you’re looking for a terrifying and eerie story about crossroad demons and the people desperate enough to make a deal with them, then read this now!
I listened to the audiobook for this novella and it was like a friend telling me a detailed ghost story where the main character just can’t see what’s right in front of them! This was suspenseful,
terrifying, and heartbreaking all at once. The narrator did an excellent job conveying the horror in this novella. I found myself wincing and cringing during some of the more horrifying moments because the narration was so visceral.
If you’re looking for a terrifying and eerie story about crossroad demons and the people desperate enough to make a deal with them, then read this now!