Scan barcode
bkwrm1317's reviews
161 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Did not finish book.
- 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? Yes
5.0
Meanwhile, a young child queen, Kosika, takes power in White London and foreshadows much to come in this new trilogy.
In Grey London, things are much as they once were, although Tes, our newest beloved character, gets to meet Ned Tuttle and experience Grey and White London briefly herself as she fights against a coup planned by an organization calling itself the Hand, hoping to murder Red London’s king, Rhy Maresh.
More swashbuckling, elemental and Antari magic, and adventures through and across the varied Londons will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Moderate: Self harm, Torture, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Grief, and Kidnapping
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There were, nonetheless, some five star moments, lines, and bits that felt pulled straight out of a slasher film. I’m glad Jade gets her well-deserved rest, and hopefully Proofrock, ID does too.
- 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
4.5
Simultaneously commenting on all that makes the US carceral system the evil that it is, and narrating characters who bring to life the embodiment of hope in a hopeless world, and love in a world of violence, this novel packs quite a punch.
The added statistics throughout actually made the story more impactful, as it roots readers in the realities of the carceral system and how it doubly harms Black and Brown bodies, as well as femmes, queer and trans folks, etc.
- 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 particularly love the way that Wells has a slow burn to a big reveal around Murderbot (and other SecUnits’) mental/psychological state. Just fantastic.
Moderate: Medical trauma, Violence, and Colonisation
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Slavery
- 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
4.5
Heart, Haunt, Havoc is quite dark and brooding, a bit funny, and really tender in the most lovely way.
Protagonist, Colin (really both main characters are protags of this story), is hired to complete a sort of exorcism of a house for Bishop. Little does Colin know that Bishop comes from a family line of brujería, where Tezcatlipoca, the Mexica (Aztec) god who governs the night sky, is connected directly to Bishop and offers Bishop a unique magic.
I am generally not a fan of romance, but there was just the right balance between sensual/romance-y scenes in this novella with plot and story arc, as well as individual character/protagonist growth. Further, Moon writes desire incredibly convincingly.
I loved the additional nerd references peppered into the novella here and there as well (e.g. listening to Critical Role, and how Moon intersperses these lighter references with the occult, demonic posession and integration, and angelic stuff a la Catholicism.
I will definitely be continuing this series outside of my Indie Ink judging capacity, as there are two more novellas already published in the series, and I can't wait to get to them likely later this year.
Check CWs and note that all minor CWs I've listed are either not emotionally charged or mostly in passing within the novel (e.g. animal death is part of a ritual sacrifice of a familiar, which is reanimated, so animal cruelty is not part of CWs, etc.).
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Death, Animal death, Blood, and Toxic relationship
- 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
2.5
Do check CWs, especially around self-harm, addiction, and domestic abuse for those who may be impacted by these.
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
Minor: Drug use and Sexual violence
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The following is a personal review, and does not reflect judging for Indie Ink 2024 judging I completed:
This was a really interesting novel, although there were odd breaks in the progress of the overall story arc as the protagonist went from one place (geographically) to another. This created a slightly disjointed/jarring reader experience for me, and also made the pacing feel slower than it would have otherwise, I think. I'd suggest the pacing of the novel is slow/medium, with some sections more solidly in each category.
The world building, magic system, and overall story was distinctive, if not unique. I wasn't particularly compelled by the use of Spanish words/how they were integrated - it didn't feel as thoughtful as some other Latine bilingual authors' works are in their use of English and Spanish words.
The end of the novel represents a fairly unsatisfying cliffhanger for me personally, as a reader, but would likely feel more compelling for other readers.
All CWs as mild, as there is either a brief/not emotionally intense engagement in the text with the CW, or it is threatened/mentioned, but not done (e.g. sexual harassment rather than sexual violence, as it was a verbal threat towards the protagonist, but not one that was carried through or anywhere near that).
Minor: Bullying, Trafficking, Blood, Death, and Sexual harassment
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Please do note CWs as there are a number to be aware of, and that shift from story to story.
Moderate: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Pedophilia, Body horror, Colonisation, Racism, Abandonment, and Torture