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booksplussky's reviews
262 reviews
Gamut by D.M. Durham
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
It’s been a few years since I’ve picked up a poetry book and I’m so happy this is the one I decided to pick up.
Gamut was a ride of so many emotions and I loved feeling every single one of them. As someone who has had a lot of complicated relationships in her life, I related to this in a lot of ways and felt seen in a way only poetry can make you feel seen & every single line painted such a vivid picture in my head because of the lyrical writing. The author expressed themselves so well and helped me put into words so many thoughts & feelings I’ve had throughout the years that I’m almost grateful for this book just for that freedom alone.
This book is split into 4 parts and each part goes deeper than the last (when I tell you to buckle up for the ride of emotions you’ll be on! esp part 3 🥲)!
I really cannot say enough good things about this book of poetry. If you’re wanting to get out of your reading comfort zone and pick up something new, then this is perfect! If you already love poetry and you’re looking for something raw and real, then this is perfect. I really think there’s something in this for everyone and you’ll easily find some part to relate to, and even if you don’t, it’s an incredible journey into someone else’s mind and their deepest, truest emotions.
Easily a 5⭐️
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne
funny
inspiring
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
Serpentine Valentine by Giana Darling
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
While I really enjoyed parts of this story, overall it fell a little short for me and there were parts I just couldn't get behind. This is a sapphic Medusa retelling. Assault is a major plot point in this story and is what drives much of what the main character goes through and experiences. While I loved the lyrical writing that comes with any Giana Darling book, there were parts of the story I found completely unnecessary and almost harmful. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural and stereotypical. I also firmly believe that when authors are writing outside of what they know, they do not need to include slurs in any way even if it is to further the characterization of an antagonist. For example, a lot of the antagonists in this story use slurs towards LGBTQ people that are written out in their entirety, and they were very jarring to read. I think the same point could have been made if the author simply said "they called us slurs" vs using the actual slurs. I also think referencing Harry Potter in a story like this was unnecessary and harmful in it's own way.
I enjoyed the revenge plot and this felt similar to Mindf*ck, which is one of my favorite books of all time. I do think the parts of this story that I disliked could be taken out and it would better the story overall. I do not know if there were sensitivity readers for this book but it felt like more were needed.
Overall, I love Giana's writing style and always will. I liked what she was trying to do with this book but the harm in it outweighed anything else for me.
Thank you Valentine PR for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I enjoyed the revenge plot and this felt similar to Mindf*ck, which is one of my favorite books of all time. I do think the parts of this story that I disliked could be taken out and it would better the story overall. I do not know if there were sensitivity readers for this book but it felt like more were needed.
Overall, I love Giana's writing style and always will. I liked what she was trying to do with this book but the harm in it outweighed anything else for me.
Thank you Valentine PR for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Inked in Lies by Giana Darling
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Lila and Nova have my whole heart. This was one of the most beautiful romances I’ve read to date. There were so many little moments between these two that made their romance even more heartfelt. I usually don’t love unrequited love when it’s the woman but the way this was done was everything. Nova didn’t think he was a romantic but he was genuinely one of the most romantic men I’ve read about (him literally tattooing his love into her over the years when he didn’t have the words to tell her!!!)
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
dark
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
4.25
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
dark
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
5.0
This book! KATEE ROBERT HOW DID YOU WRITE SOMETHING SO GOOD? Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about this.
I was so hesitant to pick this up and now I can’t even remember why. This book had me hooked from the very first page and I didn’t want to put it down for anything. I had no idea I would love a Hades x Persephone retelling but oh wow was I naive. I want them all now and Katee Robert set the bar so high.
Hades is THE book boyfriend. Hades is the standard. I am convinced I will never feel this desperate to read a book again for the first time. I loved every second of it and the only thing I would change is *spoiler* wanting the war to actually happen and Hades and Persephone to survive just because you KNOW she would have to write another book continuing their story. And Katee, just for reference, I would read 10 more stories about Hades and Persephone if you wrote them.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I think I’ve already said this once but I am 100% certain when I say this is my top read of 2021.
I was so hesitant to pick this up and now I can’t even remember why. This book had me hooked from the very first page and I didn’t want to put it down for anything. I had no idea I would love a Hades x Persephone retelling but oh wow was I naive. I want them all now and Katee Robert set the bar so high.
Hades is THE book boyfriend. Hades is the standard. I am convinced I will never feel this desperate to read a book again for the first time. I loved every second of it and the only thing I would change is *spoiler* wanting the war to actually happen and Hades and Persephone to survive just because you KNOW she would have to write another book continuing their story. And Katee, just for reference, I would read 10 more stories about Hades and Persephone if you wrote them.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I think I’ve already said this once but I am 100% certain when I say this is my top read of 2021.
A Stranger on the Beach by Michele Campbell
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5