atlanticgiantpumpkin's reviews
258 reviews

A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.

It’s just not good. It was a miserable read, predictable, and not even that accurate. 

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie

dark funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I watched The Haunting of Sunshine Girl growing up, and I must say that this seemed like its final form realized. Is the book perfect? No. Will I read the rest of the trilogy? Probably. This feels like the perfect book for those that grew up heavily sheltered but still have a love for the weird and macabre. The absolute lack of cussing or weird ways to dodge around saying “Oh my god” do make it evident that Paige McKenzie grew up at least somewhat strictly.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

If you’re looking for a book to make up for the lack of Harry Potter children will have because of JK Rowling being infected with the horcrux that is Moldemort (she’s been living in a serious case of black mold for years, apparently), look no further! This book has everything you’re looking for: classic rags to magical riches, a hidden identity, found family, friendship, a magical school, luscious and unique, quirky world building, and a lovable protagonist. Perfect for all ages (except maybe the very little ones) and gifted kids, especially.

100 Happy Poems by Jane McMorland Hunter

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

dark emotional sad tense 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

5.0

Andrew Joseph White just gets better and better with time. It kinda blows me away.

One of my favorite things about this author is his prose. I thought that Hell Followed With Us was stellar, then I read The Spirit Bares Its Teeth and thought that was the best I would ever see out of a narrator’s voice. But now I read this and I realize that White has only shown us a fraction of his power. The voice is unique, the formatting harrowing. I love his use of black pages in his writing. I love how authentic it feels.

Without spoiling plot, I hope that you can take this away from my review: This book is an antithesis to Hillbilly Elegy. I think the timing was coincidental, but also divinely ordained. This book was meant to come out now because it had to. And it reminds us that, regardless of whomever wins this fucked up election, we’re screwed. But we’re a fighting people and we will see the other side.

Eventually.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book blew me out of the water. When I came into this series, I was expecting a standard run of the mill romantasy book. And what I got was so much more. There is so much depth, though, love, light, life put into this world, these characters, that’s it’s a bit hard to put into words. Every character is their own and I rooted for them every step of the way.

Long live the king.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

dark mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

This was a joy to read! A lovely world to step into that turns slowly into absolute horror. The magic system was interesting to say the least, if not a little hard to understand the motives behind. I’m interested to read the second book to know what exactly is going through, everyone’s head. And I’m curious as to how that book will be narrated given the ending. I’m only hesitant because I love the main character so much and I’m nervous for how this series will end. 

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

I just need to read this at a different time

Catffirmations: Mindful Mantras to Awaken Your Inner Cat by Lim Heng Swee

inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

3.0

Clever art!

The Beast by Jenika Snow
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.

Oh my gods this was dog shit 😂 I’m all one for a good Beauty and the Beast retelling but seriously?? It’s just fanfiction for the Disney movie! Down to the dresses, the description of the Beast, Gaston, Maurice (the narrator even SOUNDED like him!), and the housekeepers being literal ripoffs of Mrs Potts and Lumiere! It was written so sloppily to avoid having anyone talk. There was nothing inventive aside from “they fuck” and even then on Spotify, the chapters were out of order so by the time I got to the actual smut, I ran out of the hours for the month. When I finally had hours again, I realized I didn’t want to waste them on this poorly written dribble.