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amy_reading_23's reviews
76 reviews
The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This book is as dark as it is beautiful. I enjoyed the descriptions and the main character's connection to nature. It's a shame though, I think this novel could have been a lot longer. Parts of it definitely felt rushed, especially the ending. The end didn't feel satisfying or fitting for the sisters' journey.
I also wouldn't really say it's a vampire book as the vampires don't come into it until the very end. It's more of a historical novel about two sisters trying to survive tyranny and hardship.
Something that concerns me is I am not aware if the author is a traveller or has consulted with travellers for sensitivity reading. The community seemed to be portrayed well to me, however I know this community has a lot of closed practises and as someone who is not a traveller myself I can't really say whether the representation is accurate or not.
Overall though it was a good book, just be prepared that is is very dark and has a lot of triggering and sad bits.
I wasn't really surprised by Kizzy's decision at the end, I found her character pretty arrogant and annoying, but still I'm sad her sister joined her instead of joining Mira. I didn't feel like her and Mira's relationship was as rushed as others said, I think they had a spark from the beginning and there were definitley signs leading up to it.
I also wouldn't really say it's a vampire book as the vampires don't come into it until the very end. It's more of a historical novel about two sisters trying to survive tyranny and hardship.
Something that concerns me is I am not aware if the author is a traveller or has consulted with travellers for sensitivity reading. The community seemed to be portrayed well to me, however I know this community has a lot of closed practises and as someone who is not a traveller myself I can't really say whether the representation is accurate or not.
Overall though it was a good book, just be prepared that is is very dark and has a lot of triggering and sad bits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Misogyny, Trafficking, Alcohol, Body horror, Kidnapping, Violence, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Hate crime, Slavery, Racism, Physical abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Slavery and Vomit
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
This book was an incredibly compelling read, so much so that I finished it in a day. I can't totally tell you why I found it so compelling. It's not necessarily the kind of book I'd usually enjoy, as it is quite dark and tense and uncomfortable. But it is beautifully written. And it's not exactly that I enjoyed it, I just was fascinated by it. It is a book which perfectly shows what it is like to be in an abusive relationship with a narcissist. And as someone who is familiar with those relationships, I found it interesting. But also because it is clear from page one that she kills him. I think that hope is what draws you forward to the end. That no matter what he does, he will be defeated.
The characters are interesting. You are shown some of their complexities but also not enough of each to know them entirely. There are beautiful lines that are like poetry and some interesting comparisons to religion. I thought I'd be put off by how it is written in letters, but it is very immersive and most the letters are written long enough to be like scenes.
I do love how she took his power away by not naming him (the abuser). Although this has been described as a retelling of Dracula and his wives, its not quite that, and we never quite know who he is. And that takes the power away from him.
I could probably go on for ages talking about this book but I will say, I would have found this difficult to read a few years ago. It is hard hitting, uncomfortable at times, and there's some blurred lines between relationships being familial and sexual, which did make me a bit uncomfortable. So don't read this if you're not in the right head space. But if you are, and you want to read a book about a girl finding her own power while being bound by a narcissist, with a long dark period and a finally happy ish ending, then go for it.
I wanted to say more but this is a bit of a spoiler. I loved how the book traversed time from the middle ages to now. I really didn't expect that. I thought it would stay as a gothic text living in history but instead it shows a vampire living through to our world. I would have liked to see more of what she thought of it but I know that wasn't the point at the end of the book.
Everything the "Lord" does is characteristic of a narcissistic sociopath in a toxic relationship. He gaslights his wives, tells them they're paranoid, masks his control by making them think they have freedom, taking them away from friends or loved ones, isolating them, allows them scarce joy to keep devoted but derives them of most joy so they depend on him. If you recognise someone in your life who is like this, it is best to seek help and leave.
Last point, I wasn't sure about the ending. At Constantines last chapter I'd thought I wished there was more of their lives now, but then I actually found that I didn't totally like Alexi's bit. His possessiveness and dependency on them worried me a bit and I wondered if the ending was meant to be semi uncomfortable. But I might be overthinking, as otherwise I think it interestingly showed how a loving poly relationship can be without a toxic partner.
The characters are interesting. You are shown some of their complexities but also not enough of each to know them entirely. There are beautiful lines that are like poetry and some interesting comparisons to religion. I thought I'd be put off by how it is written in letters, but it is very immersive and most the letters are written long enough to be like scenes.
I do love how she took his power away by not naming him (the abuser). Although this has been described as a retelling of Dracula and his wives, its not quite that, and we never quite know who he is. And that takes the power away from him.
I could probably go on for ages talking about this book but I will say, I would have found this difficult to read a few years ago. It is hard hitting, uncomfortable at times, and there's some blurred lines between relationships being familial and sexual, which did make me a bit uncomfortable. So don't read this if you're not in the right head space. But if you are, and you want to read a book about a girl finding her own power while being bound by a narcissist, with a long dark period and a finally happy ish ending, then go for it.
Everything the "Lord" does is characteristic of a narcissistic sociopath in a toxic relationship. He gaslights his wives, tells them they're paranoid, masks his control by making them think they have freedom, taking them away from friends or loved ones, isolating them, allows them scarce joy to keep devoted but derives them of most joy so they depend on him. If you recognise someone in your life who is like this, it is best to seek help and leave.
Last point, I wasn't sure about the ending. At Constantines last chapter I'd thought I wished there was more of their lives now, but then I actually found that I didn't totally like Alexi's bit. His possessiveness and dependency on them worried me a bit and I wondered if the ending was meant to be semi uncomfortable. But I might be overthinking, as otherwise I think it interestingly showed how a loving poly relationship can be without a toxic partner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, War, Violence, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Murder, Mental illness, and Body horror
Minor: Incest
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book is complicated. Not as in it hard to follow (although I had watched the TV show beforehand so that gave me an advantage) but that I'm not sure what to make of it. There were some bits I really enjoyed. And some bits that made me uncomfortable. I don't like how Matthew treats Diana, I think their relationship is pretty toxic tbh and a bit misogynistic in times. They also excuse too much of his behaviour as "ifs because he's a vampire". But the plot is interesting and I still want to read the next two sometime, I'm just not necessarily in a rush.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny, Gore, Domestic abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Stalking and Suicidal thoughts
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a very wholesome book, it's truly very warm and fuzzy and nice. Some parts felt a little rushed and I would have loved to have a lot more of it, but I enjoyed what there was. I kind of saw the ending coming, but I still liked reading it and recommend it to anyone looking for a wholesome, witchy, romantic read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death, Racism, and Domestic abuse
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This is a really amazing book. I often dog ear pages in books that mean a lot to me, that I want to come back to and remember, and this book is full of them. It will change the way you think and appreciate the world. I'm really thankful this book was written. I really hope that we do chose the right path and can make the world a better place.
The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, and Misogyny
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75