becsobookish's reviews
635 reviews

Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon

5.0

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

adventurous dark mysterious 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

5.0

This is going to become my go-to recommendation for fans of The Witcher franchise. The world building is expansive and well-realized, the characters are unique and compelling, and overall the story feels both fresh and timeless.  What comes first, gods or their worshippers? Kaner also presents a fantasy story with the level of inclusivity and diversity that is often still lacking in the genre. More, please!

Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert

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

4.25

Folks, she's done it again. I didn't think she could make me like these characters after seeing their horrible behavior in earlier books, but of course Katee totally turned me around. She does a great job of humanizing villains and showing their motivations while also letting them undergo character growth. I wouldn't trust a lot of romance authors with portraying polyamory, but this depiction feels honest and realistic. My one gripe with this book is that the ending felt a bit predictable and too tidy, but that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. Oh, and of course - all the chili peppers. 

Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

3.5

This wasn't quite what I was looking for in terms of a Greek myth retelling, but there are a lot of good elements here nonetheless. Although heavy handed at times, I did appreciate the author's choice to depict the traditional female villains with more nuance, and the heroic males as misogynistic a-holes. My favorite part of this book was Eros reckoning with his own immortality and learning from humans as Psyche grew into herself and figured out what it means to be a hero. I will be on the lookout to see what this author does next.

The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.75

I absolutely devoured this book, and I can't wait to see what Smyth does next. These characters are so lovable and flawed - which makes them feel even more real. I loved the diverse representation in this story as well. The mystery element was well done, even though I expected the twist towards the end. The dialogue is clever and funny and makes for some very quotable lines. 

Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson

adventurous dark funny reflective 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

5.0

If you're a fan of Greek mythology, including all of its many flawed characters, then I cannot recommend this book enough. The author presents such a nuanced take on Hercules that had me loving him, hating him, and sympathizing with him, sometimes all at once. I was surprised at how humorous this book was, considering how dark some of the subject matter is. It really serves to balance the story and make it all the more compelling. The author also does a great job of giving each character a unique voice, and there are so many characters here. I can see this being a great book for book club discussions. Not only is it a great read, it's also an exploration of myths themselves - the way they are told, how they are passed on, and who gets to be the center of the story. 

Disturbance by Jenna Clake

challenging dark reflective

3.75

This story has the cadence of thriller with the sort of lyricism you'd expect from a poet. Based on the book's summary, I expected a story about a woman who finds kinship with other women going through a similar experience, and they use witchcraft as a tool for healing. While this is loosely accurate, the story is much more nuanced and less optimistic than that outline implies. I think this book is good, but it's hard to say that I liked it or enjoyed it, because the author so skillfully made me feel unsettled, paranoid, and heartbroken. Emphasis on the unsettled. The paranormal aspect is a bit under-explored in my opinion, and the ending felt rushed and a little out of place with the rest of the novel. This book is unique because it focuses on a very specific part of the healing journey - the part where the victim realizes that they were wronged and that they deserve to heal. I don't know that I would recommend this to anyone recently or currently experiencing abuse, but I do think this provides great insight into the mind of someone in that position.

When describing this book to my partner, I said it was The Woman in the Window meets My Year of Rest and Relaxation meets The Turn of the Screw.

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

This was sweet and delightful. A bit predictable, but I don’t mind that. I’m a big fan of fae stories that show the dark and twisted side of fae lore, rather than just the pretty parts. 

Ensnared by the Werewolf by Lillian Lark

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

This was a short, rewarding romance. If you've read this author before, you know what you are getting. It calls to mind the hurt/comfort tumblr fics of yore.