bigmads's reviews
360 reviews

Bible Adventures by Gabe Durham

4.0

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

adventurous funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

Negative Space by B.R. Yeager

challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Suicide attempt

William by Mason Coile

dark fast-paced

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

3.0

Resident Evil by Philip J. Reed

reflective

4.0

Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

4.0

Rogue Community College by David R. Slayton

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.0

Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail

This is the second book I’ve read by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, the first being his internationally successful Hex. That story may have put him on the map for horror fans outside of his home country, but Echo serves to highlight his unique voice and incredible storytelling prowess. This book uses older gothic horror conventions in its approach to pacing (something which is very deliberate based on section subtitles) as well as its use to the epistolary format, where large sections take the form of emails and journal entries, but it also updates it with contemporary language, wry humor and levity akin to greats like Shirley Jackson, and a fresh and modern sensibility. As a queer person, inclusive narratives can sometimes feel highlighted in a way that serves to further “other” us, making a spectacle of same-sex love stories for a presumed heterosexual audience. Not Echo. At its core and beyond the horrors, it’s an honest and realistic relationship story about a couple dealing with an incredible tragedy rendered even more terrifying by supernatural forces. This is a book for horror fans new and old, but also has tons of appeal for anyone just looking for a good story about a relationship trying to survive against nearly insurmountable odds.