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blchabot's reviews
35 reviews
Only the Clonely by Ruby Dixon
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Not my favourite Dixon addition but I loved Kazex in the Corsair Brothers series and was interested in his and Ruthie's story.
Looking forward to the next installment!
Looking forward to the next installment!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
I have wanted to get into reading Brandon Sanderson for a few years now and had felt overwhelmed trying to pick where to start. I am so glad I chose SKYWARD.
I love science fiction. The exploration of the unknown, imagining the future of space travel, what does humanity look like outside the context of Earth... all of it fascinates me. Reading SKYWARD gave me all of those feelings.
The novel starts with a young Spensa exploring the surface of their planet Detritus with their father, a renowned fight pilot with the callsign Chaser. While exploring, Chaser received a radio transmission of an incoming attack from an alien species called the Krell and sends Spensa home.
You learn that Chaser died in that battle, not because he was caught by the Krell, but because he ran from the fight. Being a coward does not fly (pun intended) on Detritus when one is a member of the Defiant Defense Force.
Regardless of this, Spensa is determined to become a pilot and prove that not only is her father not a coward, but that neither is she.
Top Gun meets Starship Troopers in this fiesty first novel of the SKYWARD series. With a fearless (and occasionally over confident) heroine and a memorable cast of characters, SKYWARD truly was one hell of a ride.
Some of my favourite moments were with Spensa watching the world from the outside, too proud and stubborn to make different choices, only to realize that many of the obstacles she felt she had to overcome were put there by herself and her attitude. M-Bot had me laughing out loud and I teared up at multiple points of the story where we lose a few cadets Skyward Flight.
If you enjoy introspective, action-packed adventure with real stakes and a main character that actually changes over the course of the narratives you'll love SKYWARD.
I love science fiction. The exploration of the unknown, imagining the future of space travel, what does humanity look like outside the context of Earth... all of it fascinates me. Reading SKYWARD gave me all of those feelings.
The novel starts with a young Spensa exploring the surface of their planet Detritus with their father, a renowned fight pilot with the callsign Chaser. While exploring, Chaser received a radio transmission of an incoming attack from an alien species called the Krell and sends Spensa home.
You learn that Chaser died in that battle, not because he was caught by the Krell, but because he ran from the fight. Being a coward does not fly (pun intended) on Detritus when one is a member of the Defiant Defense Force.
Regardless of this, Spensa is determined to become a pilot and prove that not only is her father not a coward, but that neither is she.
Top Gun meets Starship Troopers in this fiesty first novel of the SKYWARD series. With a fearless (and occasionally over confident) heroine and a memorable cast of characters, SKYWARD truly was one hell of a ride.
Some of my favourite moments were with Spensa watching the world from the outside, too proud and stubborn to make different choices, only to realize that many of the obstacles she felt she had to overcome were put there by herself and her attitude. M-Bot had me laughing out loud and I teared up at multiple points of the story where we lose a few cadets Skyward Flight.
If you enjoy introspective, action-packed adventure with real stakes and a main character that actually changes over the course of the narratives you'll love SKYWARD.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Death of parent
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was so excited to find out I was approved for an eARC of Leather & Lark via NetGalley as I was chomping at the bit for June 4th to get here.
Leather & Lark picks up shortly after the events of Butcher & Blackbird and features the best friend of Sloane, Lark Montague and the oldest Kane brother, Lachlan.
What starts as a marriage of convenience, or more accurately, a marriage of protection, slowly builds into something neither Lachlan nor Lark can really comprehend.
Someone is killing off members of Larks shady family and there's the shadowy Phantom from the end of Butcher & Blackbird skulking around.
I loved every minute of this. The banter between Lachlan and Lark had me laughing out loud. There were some special guest appearances of The Boston Butcher and The Orb Weaver, and Fionn and Rose (forthcoming Book #3: Scythe & Sparrow) and some really incredibly well written raw moments.
These two characters truly could not stand each other in the beginning, and rightfully so once you find out why. It was so gratifying to watch them slowly realize they have a lot more in common than they realize and that when someone truly sees you? Nothing can beat it.
This story revolves more around Lachlan and Larks relationship and the murder subplot really took a backseat with this one. Slow burn, Mutual pining and murder galore. If you liked B&B, you'll love Leather & Lark
Leather & Lark picks up shortly after the events of Butcher & Blackbird and features the best friend of Sloane, Lark Montague and the oldest Kane brother, Lachlan.
What starts as a marriage of convenience, or more accurately, a marriage of protection, slowly builds into something neither Lachlan nor Lark can really comprehend.
Someone is killing off members of Larks shady family and there's the shadowy Phantom from the end of Butcher & Blackbird skulking around.
I loved every minute of this. The banter between Lachlan and Lark had me laughing out loud. There were some special guest appearances of The Boston Butcher and The Orb Weaver, and Fionn and Rose (forthcoming Book #3: Scythe & Sparrow) and some really incredibly well written raw moments.
These two characters truly could not stand each other in the beginning, and rightfully so once you find out why. It was so gratifying to watch them slowly realize they have a lot more in common than they realize and that when someone truly sees you? Nothing can beat it.
This story revolves more around Lachlan and Larks relationship and the murder subplot really took a backseat with this one. Slow burn, Mutual pining and murder galore. If you liked B&B, you'll love Leather & Lark
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Rape, and Sexual assault
A Blue Ribbon Romance by C.M. Nascosta
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.0
I loved MGMF after finally being convinced to read it by a friend so I was extra excited to see A Blue Ribbon Romance!
I loved getting to see Violet and Rourke's relationship from his perspective. Fast paced and sweet, this is a nice addition to the slice of life series from Cambric Creek.
I loved getting to see Violet and Rourke's relationship from his perspective. Fast paced and sweet, this is a nice addition to the slice of life series from Cambric Creek.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I have been a big fan of Kelley Armstrong for years. I fell in love with Casey Butler and Eric Dalton with her Rockton series and have been just as engaged with the Havens Rock spin-off.
The Boy Who Cried Bear is a fast paced mystery thriller in the deep Canadian wilderness written with care, knowledge of the region and a good sense of humor.
Haven's Rock was supposed to be a new lease on life for the residents of Rockton who weren't ready to return down south. Eric and Casey have been working hard to build a safe town for those who need safety and for the first time there are children in their secret remote refuge.
When one of those children sees a bear, a man? A bear-man? The town gets together to start looking. When that child goes missing a few days later, things get even more tense. With the suspicious miners a few miles away, a relatively unknown terrain and a few residents creating more trouble than they're worth Eric and Casey have their work cut out for them
An excellent addition to Armstrong's repertoire and I can't wait for the next installment. Therese Plummer is the perfect narrator for the series (outside her incorrect pronunciation of Newfoundland — it's not New-fin-land) and Armstrong knows how to balance high tension with great character dialogue.
The Boy Who Cried Bear is a fast paced mystery thriller in the deep Canadian wilderness written with care, knowledge of the region and a good sense of humor.
Haven's Rock was supposed to be a new lease on life for the residents of Rockton who weren't ready to return down south. Eric and Casey have been working hard to build a safe town for those who need safety and for the first time there are children in their secret remote refuge.
When one of those children sees a bear, a man? A bear-man? The town gets together to start looking. When that child goes missing a few days later, things get even more tense. With the suspicious miners a few miles away, a relatively unknown terrain and a few residents creating more trouble than they're worth Eric and Casey have their work cut out for them
An excellent addition to Armstrong's repertoire and I can't wait for the next installment. Therese Plummer is the perfect narrator for the series (outside her incorrect pronunciation of Newfoundland — it's not New-fin-land) and Armstrong knows how to balance high tension with great character dialogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pedophilia
To Sir Phillip, with Love by Julia Quinn
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Eloise has always been a favourite character of mine since I watched the first season of Bridgerton. I loved getting to read her story as it was meant to be told (versus the Shondaland interpretation).
Eloise is nearing thirty, and both her and her best friend Penelope are beyond the age of eligible bachelorettes on the marriage mart. She has been corresponding with a man, prompted by death of a distant family member.
In true Eloise fashion, she makes a spur of the moment decision and this begins the true story. I loved the details within the letters of Sir Phillip and Eloise and the interaction between Eloise and Sir Phillips very naughty children.
Felt very Sound of Music with a penpal twist and made for a fun, light read.
Eloise is nearing thirty, and both her and her best friend Penelope are beyond the age of eligible bachelorettes on the marriage mart. She has been corresponding with a man, prompted by death of a distant family member.
In true Eloise fashion, she makes a spur of the moment decision and this begins the true story. I loved the details within the letters of Sir Phillip and Eloise and the interaction between Eloise and Sir Phillips very naughty children.
Felt very Sound of Music with a penpal twist and made for a fun, light read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A sweet Cinderella re-telling. I loved seeing Benedict's POV and found myself giggling at the banter between Benedict and Sophie often.
A traditional Victorian-era romance so not much to comment on with respect to world building. The villain Duchess of Penwood gave me big Angelica Houston vibes and the "ugly sisters" felt very much Ever After coded.
A fun, light-hearted romance with a surprising yet satisfying ending.
A traditional Victorian-era romance so not much to comment on with respect to world building. The villain Duchess of Penwood gave me big Angelica Houston vibes and the "ugly sisters" felt very much Ever After coded.
A fun, light-hearted romance with a surprising yet satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A fantastic compilation of Indigenous stories told by Indigenous people. There is a harrowing sense of realism in each of the stories within this anthology, proof that culturally significant narratives are best told through the eyes and mouths of those who have lived it. Definitely a top read for 2024
As someone who loves myth, folklore and sharing scary stories around a campfire, I was enthralled with the concept of so many different "scary stories" told by Indigenous writers.
"Never Whistle at Night" is a compilation of 26 stories exploring dark themes that really highlights the incredible significance of storytelling for all Indigenous people.
Each story tackles a uniquely dark and harrowing topic ranging from the obvious topics of racism, colonialism, residential schools and the effect of generational trauma, NWAN touches Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, blood quantum and Indigenous monsters like the Kusktuka.
Some of my favourites included:
· Navajos don't wear Elk Teeth by @conleylyons
A man moves into a new neighbourhood and finds himself in a strange relationship with a very forward man who keeps an even stranger collection.
· Tick Talk by Cherie Dimaline
A man goes on a hunting trip after losing his father only to end up with a little passenger who won't quite go away.
· Snakes are Born in the Dark by D.H. Trujillo
A spelunking trip to see protected Indigenous cave painting goes horribly wrong when a white man chooses to engage in casual racism.
In order to engage in the cultural act of oral storytelling, I listened to this on audible. I highly recommend it, so you too can truly experience these stories.
There is an emotional difference when you hear stories written by the likes of Cherie Dimaline, DH Trujillo and Rebecca Roanhorse read by incredible narrators like @ghostkeepermusic @kaniehtiio @thesheldonelter that really puts you in the story.
I had so many visceral emotions when contemplating the things left unsaid at the end of each of the short stories but the most terrifying part was how monstrous humanity has, and continues to be towards the Indigenous Community. The acknowledgments, read by editors shane.hawk and @tvayyyy said it best:
It's something else to be a monster made man, in a world of man made monsters.
As someone who loves myth, folklore and sharing scary stories around a campfire, I was enthralled with the concept of so many different "scary stories" told by Indigenous writers.
"Never Whistle at Night" is a compilation of 26 stories exploring dark themes that really highlights the incredible significance of storytelling for all Indigenous people.
Each story tackles a uniquely dark and harrowing topic ranging from the obvious topics of racism, colonialism, residential schools and the effect of generational trauma, NWAN touches Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, blood quantum and Indigenous monsters like the Kusktuka.
Some of my favourites included:
· Navajos don't wear Elk Teeth by @conleylyons
A man moves into a new neighbourhood and finds himself in a strange relationship with a very forward man who keeps an even stranger collection.
· Tick Talk by Cherie Dimaline
A man goes on a hunting trip after losing his father only to end up with a little passenger who won't quite go away.
· Snakes are Born in the Dark by D.H. Trujillo
A spelunking trip to see protected Indigenous cave painting goes horribly wrong when a white man chooses to engage in casual racism.
In order to engage in the cultural act of oral storytelling, I listened to this on audible. I highly recommend it, so you too can truly experience these stories.
There is an emotional difference when you hear stories written by the likes of Cherie Dimaline, DH Trujillo and Rebecca Roanhorse read by incredible narrators like @ghostkeepermusic @kaniehtiio @thesheldonelter that really puts you in the story.
I had so many visceral emotions when contemplating the things left unsaid at the end of each of the short stories but the most terrifying part was how monstrous humanity has, and continues to be towards the Indigenous Community. The acknowledgments, read by editors shane.hawk and @tvayyyy said it best:
It's something else to be a monster made man, in a world of man made monsters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism
Residential Schools
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I really wanted to love this. Having recently won a Hugo, I was expecting more from Nettle and Bone.
T Kingfisher does a wonderful job of describing the setting and movements with poetic ease, but I felt like the characters were really two dimensional. I kept waiting for more tension, more character development and unfortunately that didn't happen.
It does read strongly like an expanded fairytale and so on that I would say it succeeds. However, as someone who prefers character driven stories this fell flat for me.
T Kingfisher does a wonderful job of describing the setting and movements with poetic ease, but I felt like the characters were really two dimensional. I kept waiting for more tension, more character development and unfortunately that didn't happen.
It does read strongly like an expanded fairytale and so on that I would say it succeeds. However, as someone who prefers character driven stories this fell flat for me.
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I was really disappointed in this one.
Midnight Ruin promised groveling and degradation and all the wonderful kinks that come along with it and instead it just felt very lack luster.
Is the story running out of steam? I don't know. I just felt like all the books have had really important connections to the overall narrative arc, and each character set also had their own shit to work through.
This time around, it felt very sex forward, plot in the background. Things felt convenient and too easy and Charon felt so out of character compared to the person we meet in Neon Gods.
Just hoping it's a slump and the next book is better.
Midnight Ruin promised groveling and degradation and all the wonderful kinks that come along with it and instead it just felt very lack luster.
Is the story running out of steam? I don't know. I just felt like all the books have had really important connections to the overall narrative arc, and each character set also had their own shit to work through.
This time around, it felt very sex forward, plot in the background. Things felt convenient and too easy and Charon felt so out of character compared to the person we meet in Neon Gods.
Just hoping it's a slump and the next book is better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abortion
Abortion is mentioned but off-page