atlanticgiantpumpkin's reviews
265 reviews

The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

This book was rather well written, and the characters seemed so real. Nobody was perfect. Nobody was good or bad, they just did what they thought was best. People were stupid, selfish, and stubborn, but it never made them bad.

The Fae Princes by Nikki St. Crowe

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.75

This series really let me down at the end, I’m not gonna lie. This was supposed to be the book to wrap them all up, answer the questions, give the polycule a happy ending, and I’m just left with more questions.

For example, are we seriously not addressing anything more about Captain Hook? How he’s Winnie’s ancestor? How he went to Everland to be with Wendy? And what’s up with Smee? Also, Rock is going to fuck Hook and we don’t get to read it?! Where is Tilly going? What is Everland like? What happened to Cherry? I need a fifth book closing up those plot holes and expanding on Hook and Rock’s history! Are you kidding me?!

The plot felt rushed at the end, and it just kinda felt like the author just wanted to finish the series already. It was a major let down. My condolences, really.

The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro, Daniel Kraus

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.25

This book was surprisingly fantastic. I wasn’t sure what I expected when I went into it, and it was a bit of a slow start for me, especially having to go through so many characters’ chapters before returning to the one I was most interested in, but the writing was absolutely phenomenal. The story was well crafted and uniquely poised, and I enjoyed peering into Strickland’s chaotic mind, and especially the Devonian’s mind. His chapters were fascinating. This makes me more curious to watch the movie, though now I’m worried that it won’t live up to my expectations.

Their Vicious Darling by Nikki St. Crowe

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

It seemed a bit more chaotic and unlike the prior two books. There was less smut and more plot, which I don’t necessarily have an issue with except that the plot wasn’t too strong. I figured it wouldn’t, but it seemed like the author wanted this series to be taken more as a fantasy novel and less just erotica with plot, but having established the previous two books as such, this seems an odd turn. It gave the possibility of more but never delivered. I wanted to see more of how Winnie engaged in her relationship with her lovers with the shadow. I wanted to explore more of Rock and Hook’s relationship. I didn’t get either of those things.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

5.0

I try not to give every book I read a five star review, but this may be the best book I have ever read. Not my favorite, but definitely the best. I feel like everyone should read this. Maybe keep it among older high school students and college, but I feel like it should be required reading, up there with To Kill a Mockingbird. I cried for Hassan, I cheered on Sohrab, but most importantly, I empathized with Amir. I watched his growth and his change and watched his personality warp as did the political climate of Afghanistan. There are themes of love, family, fear, shame, justice, courage, and possibly most important, finding one’s home. There are metaphors and symbolism that rivals those of classic authors, and it’s astounding that this was the first book the author had published. This also makes me weep for all the Afghans who, after finally ridding themselves of the Taliban, were forced into their cruel subjection again. This book rarely holds back punches as it should. Sometimes, the reality of the world outside your little bubble needs to stab you repeatedly so you understand the truth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail

Who Was George Washington? by Roberta Edwards, Who HQ

adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced

4.5

This is maybe the best Who HQ book I’ve read thus far? Unbiased, factual, provided more information than even I received in school, and still kept my attention. Also the illustrations remind me of School House Rock and I appreciate that.

The Dark One by Nikki St. Crowe

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.25

This isn’t the best series, but it’s an enjoyable read. I wish there were a bit of a better balance between smut and plot, though. Otherwise this should just be classified as erotica. The smut was particularly nice, my kind of twisted, but I just needed more plot to go alongside it. I predicted the ending, but that’s not to say I didn’t love that it happened and I’m excited to read the next book.

I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.

It didn’t hold my attention enough to allow me to ignore the very real cruelties of the K-pop industry. I love what this book is trying to do, but the industry as a whole needs to be turned on its head, first, before we can strive to join it.

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations (Survival Handbook, Wilderness Survival Guide, Funny Books) by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht

adventurous funny informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

I really like this! I bought a copy for help writing my book, though I wish it had advice not just about taking a punch, but about giving a punch and how to fight.

The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Listen, is it good? No, but I’m not here for quality. I’m here for fun. It was an entertaining listen, and I’m a sucker for anything dark Peter Pan. I do wish they had explored the plot a bit more. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I looooove smut, but it felt like the focus was solely on that and less on the plot, and I want to know why everything is happening. So just fair warning, this is mainly erotica. And it’s like… if people recommend you “spicy” books on TikTok and it’s the most vanilla smut you’ve ever read, this one’s high on the scoville meter, we’ll leave it at that.