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brizlee's reviews
18 reviews
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
I can understand people not liking this book however I really enjoyed it. This book does an excellent job portraying the small abuses women, especially in the late 80s early 90s, endured. While parts of the book feel slow and monotonous, I felt those parts were a good reflection of Patricas days as a house wife. As Hendrix says he wanted to make Dracula fight his mom. Of course it’s entertaining.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Her one job as a mother was to protect her children from monsters. The ones under the bed, the ones in the closet, the ones hiding in the dark. Instead, she’d invited the monster into her home and been too weak to stop it from taking whatever it wanted.
I can understand people not liking this book however I really enjoyed it. This book does an excellent job portraying the small abuses women, especially in the late 80s early 90s, endured. While parts of the book feel slow and monotonous, I felt those parts were a good reflection of Patricas days as a house wife. As Hendrix says he wanted to make Dracula fight his mom. Of course it’s entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Gore
Moderate: Racism and Religious bigotry
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
This book is hard to review since much of the actual plot is very forgettable. However the media between chapters, some of the quotes and commentary, and each of the main girls stories are phenomenal. Hendrix struggles to balance his typical comedy horror but delivers a fast and fun thriller. I’d recommend this book for any fans of the horror or slasher film genre purely for the references. While I enjoyed the story the ending felt very cliché to me especially after some of the discussion the book allows.
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Why are we more comfortable with fast, dramatic deaths than the slow decay most people get? After all, isn’t this why we fought so hard?
This book is hard to review since much of the actual plot is very forgettable. However the media between chapters, some of the quotes and commentary, and each of the main girls stories are phenomenal. Hendrix struggles to balance his typical comedy horror but delivers a fast and fun thriller. I’d recommend this book for any fans of the horror or slasher film genre purely for the references. While I enjoyed the story the ending felt very cliché to me especially after some of the discussion the book allows.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Stalking
Moderate: Gun violence, Terminal illness, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Self harm and Kidnapping
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
I am so glad I gave this book a chance because it hits so many niches for me. The scythe journal entries added a philosophical aspect to this tense and dark sci-fi story. I also loved the fight scenes which usually is something I struggle with. Typically books dealing with death like this tend to desensitize you to it but this book further proved its point as each death left it’s mark. Excited to get my hands on the sequel!
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Mortals fantasized that love was eternal and it’s loss unimaginable. Now we know that neither is true. Love remained mortal, while we became eternal.
I am so glad I gave this book a chance because it hits so many niches for me. The scythe journal entries added a philosophical aspect to this tense and dark sci-fi story. I also loved the fight scenes which usually is something I struggle with. Typically books dealing with death like this tend to desensitize you to it but this book further proved its point as each death left it’s mark. Excited to get my hands on the sequel!
Now she wanted to be with him, wherever he was, and if he was nowhere, then at least they would be nowhere together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Torture and Mass/school shootings
The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Firstly, this book is falsely advertised. The synopsis makes it out to be a paranormal mystery that leaves room for a discussion about life after death but there’s nothing paranormal or mysterious. The lead up to the main plot point of a member dying takes about 130 pages in a 200 page book. The stories told in the club that take up the first portion of the book we’re entertaining but felt unnecessary by the end. There’s very little room at the end of the book for the conclusion and the events happen so rapidly there’s no shock factor or time to ruminate. With the book being so short you have little time to meet the character and even less to decide how you feel towards them. Overall, the whole thing felt rushed and like a bunch of random concepts thrown together and wrapped with a pity bow to make you sympathize with the characters. Also the epilogue was incredibly stupid especially after the last chapter of the book. I got through it quickly because it was easy to read not cause I was dying (no pun intended) to find out what happens next. I will say for 1994 it’s quite diverse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
Y’all weren’t lying about this book. Every line is so expertly crafted with care and yet feels so authentic. I loved everything about this book and I need this printed on my brain forever. I cried my eyes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Death
Moderate: Rape
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
I am still reeling from that ending. I loved returning the Elfhame and was interested in where the plot might go. Without spoiling anything all I can really say is this book was good. I am going to suffer waiting for the sequel. My only real critique would be that Suren doesn’t really act like she was abused. In some scenes she shows evident signs but for others it’s like it never happened. I chalk this up to the Faeries being messed up and considering what Suren went through to be normal. Once again I cannot believe that ending and I’m so excited for the return to Elfhame.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Gore
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.25
I found the mystery of this easy to solve yet very convoluted and hard to untangle. However the book mainly focused on our protagonist, Red, and her development as well as the other characters secrets. The suspense part of this was very good for the most part. The start felt very much like every horror movie or game where you have to meet all the characters and learn their relationships which didn’t mind me. The whole middle was great so unfortunately my issues are with the end. Several things are revealed in quick succession and with long dialogue which is stark contrast to the action we had going on. The end felt underwhelming after the rest of the novel. Overall it felt just a little unpolished but I do think a majority of people will like it and it did it’s best for a standalone mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Gun violence
Minor: Gore
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
I really enjoyed this read and had a fun time with it. Along with a fun mystery and romance it has some commentary on issues within the lgbtqia+ community I found relatable.
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