Scan barcode
bites_of_books's reviews
766 reviews
Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King, Owen King
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I was not a fan of this book. Having read The Stand, this seemed like a watered down version of it with flat characters who are trying to say something but never quite get to it properly.
Also, for an affliction that specifically targets women, I would have appreciated the inclusion of gender non-conforming folks, transgender people, and non-binary people. This was not written in the 80s so they have all the information and tools needed to be able to be inclusive.
My favorite character was the fox and could read a whole (different) book from the fox's POV.
Also, for an affliction that specifically targets women, I would have appreciated the inclusion of gender non-conforming folks, transgender people, and non-binary people. This was not written in the 80s so they have all the information and tools needed to be able to be inclusive.
My favorite character was the fox and could read a whole (different) book from the fox's POV.
Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is one of those books where we follow unlikeable characters all the way through. Once I accepted that, I was able to dive deeper into the story and it became more enjoyable. We follow Anna as she embarks on a vacation in the Italian countryside with her truly awful family. Many times I questioned why she was even there in the first place!
Nevertheless, she remains in the vacation, trying to follow her older sister's strict schedule and focusing on her nieces. As the vacation starts and continues it becomes clear that there's more to this villa than what was advertised in the website.
I liked that Anna was unapologetically herself throughout, even though she did bite her tongue a lot of the time around her family. She's already seen as weird and an outsider by them so it seems like she doesn't want to give them more reasons to cast her out.
The part that I wasn't satisfied with was the Italian context. I felt like there could have been more about the community but they mostly remained in the shadows, putting the American tourists at the forefront. All of them mostly want nothing to do with them (for good reason), but I needed just a bit more from their perspective, maybe one or two chapters from their point of view would have sealed it for me as a solid 4 stars.
Nevertheless, she remains in the vacation, trying to follow her older sister's strict schedule and focusing on her nieces. As the vacation starts and continues it becomes clear that there's more to this villa than what was advertised in the website.
I liked that Anna was unapologetically herself throughout, even though she did bite her tongue a lot of the time around her family. She's already seen as weird and an outsider by them so it seems like she doesn't want to give them more reasons to cast her out.
The part that I wasn't satisfied with was the Italian context. I felt like there could have been more about the community but they mostly remained in the shadows, putting the American tourists at the forefront. All of them mostly want nothing to do with them (for good reason), but I needed just a bit more from their perspective, maybe one or two chapters from their point of view would have sealed it for me as a solid 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was quite a surprising book for me, in many ways. Previously I've loved How to Sell a Haunted House and did not like Final Girls Support Group so, this was supposed to be in tie breaker. I find myself in the middle. I think this book had a great atmosphere for a book that brings horror into suburbia. I did not love how Mrs. Greene was more of a secondary character and would have loved for her to be the main character here (especially since she ends up doing most of the work herself). I did like the discussion on race and privilege, but there could have been some more action in giving Mrs. Greene more agency than she had, instead of making her to passive until Patricia finally decided to do something.
Overall a good book for the fall season but be prepared for really horrific scenes dealing with abuse (of all kinds), vermin, gore, etc.
Overall a good book for the fall season but be prepared for really horrific scenes dealing with abuse (of all kinds), vermin, gore, etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Gifts From Crows by Peighton Marsh
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
A young girl befriends a crow. She has been living alone for a year after her family passed away and now that winter is on its way she must go in search of other people. It's such a great story of resilience, hope, and ultimately of believing that there is a glimmer of light out there even when everything looks the darkest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
We need more stories featuring elderly women! In this one we follow an older woman who has been sent to live in a home but she'd much rather continue being independent. The discussions around agency, responsibility by the next generation on their parents, and death, are all explored here.
It is a quick read with great art and a really impactful storyline. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a graphic novel that features an older woman and has a tough of magic within as well.
It is a quick read with great art and a really impactful storyline. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a graphic novel that features an older woman and has a tough of magic within as well.
The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
We follow Janelle, a 16-year old girl who is telling us how aliens invaded the world and started to gather humans in various places around the world to take over everything. As part of this, the aliens have banned all kinds of art, including books and music. As a true book lover, she has a hidden library from where she sneaks books to various people in her apartment complex.
We also follow Morris, one of the aliens who is in charge of developing a vaccine that will allow the aliens to fully control the humans.
The first thing that made it difficult for me to enjoy this story was the romance aspect. I couldn't believe that Janelle would put aside the acts of violence that have been committed towards her family and friends just because Morris also likes music. I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough.
Overall it is a very interesting premise and a cool concept for the story, but I didn't like that the story doesn't really wrap up fully. Big questions remain unanswered by the end and that made me just dissatisfied. I would only recommend this one once there's a clear second book out there that hopefully answers my questions.
We also follow Morris, one of the aliens who is in charge of developing a vaccine that will allow the aliens to fully control the humans.
The first thing that made it difficult for me to enjoy this story was the romance aspect. I couldn't believe that Janelle would put aside the acts of violence that have been committed towards her family and friends just because Morris also likes music. I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough.
Overall it is a very interesting premise and a cool concept for the story, but I didn't like that the story doesn't really wrap up fully. Big questions remain unanswered by the end and that made me just dissatisfied. I would only recommend this one once there's a clear second book out there that hopefully answers my questions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief, Murder, and Colonisation
Frenzied by Brandon Massey
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What a fun ride! Brandon Massey is becoming an author who I can rely on to give me a good fast paced story full of action and thrills. In this one we follow a couple of different characters as a strange illness starts affecting many people in their community, making them act violent and obsessive.
I grew attached to the characters and also invested in what their fate would become. The gore was done so well, especially since horrific things happen to a lot of people in this book, it never felt unnecessary or out of place. A well-balanced story overall!
I grew attached to the characters and also invested in what their fate would become. The gore was done so well, especially since horrific things happen to a lot of people in this book, it never felt unnecessary or out of place. A well-balanced story overall!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
When We Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
The thing that I love about Annette Chavez Macias' books is that there are always heartfelt lessons within them. She'd previously talked about grief in Too Soon for Adios, but in When We Were Widows she tackles it from a completely different perspective. We have three generations of women, Mama Melda, Ana, and Yessica, all who became widows in sudden and unexpected ways. Each woman has a complex relationship with their grief, which stems from more than losing their husband, and I also loved how the author depicted how the lack of processing this grief affected everyone around them in some way. Then, there was the layer of Mexican-American culture and the sense of obligation to one's family (especially as the oldest daughter for Ana).
All in all, a beautiful story wrapped in layers of grief, family, friendship, the past coming back, and more. If anything I would have loved for it to be longer so we could dive into the stories of the other characters in the book. I want to know more about Evie and Damian and just everyone.
Thanks to the author for the eARC! I'm looking forward to adding a physical copy to my collection <3
All in all, a beautiful story wrapped in layers of grief, family, friendship, the past coming back, and more. If anything I would have loved for it to be longer so we could dive into the stories of the other characters in the book. I want to know more about Evie and Damian and just everyone.
Thanks to the author for the eARC! I'm looking forward to adding a physical copy to my collection <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a really comforting read in the way that it also felt incredibly human and real. Flawed humans who care for each other in a tiny community filled with book lovers, simply great. I liked the first half more than the second half but overall it was a great read.
The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
The end of the Binti trilogy is a beautiful roller coaster. It makes me want more of that world but also leaves me satisfied with the knowledge of where we leave these characters.