caesar2014's reviews
119 reviews

This is Not a Vampire Story by Simon Doyle

dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

I received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this. The story is told in two timelines, present day and 1949. We follow Victor as he works in a rural Irish nursing home as a night porter. We learn about Victor's life story through the flashbacks to 1949, discovering what led him to where he is now. It's a story of the downsides immortality brings and the grief of watching everything and everyone around you change while you cannot.
There's just the right amount of horror and gore, and a heartbreaking love story that lasts throughout the decades.

Content Warnings

The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense 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? Yes

5.0

I received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love this. Orpheus and Fenrir have such a sweet relationship. I tend to get bored of books with a slow romantic build up but this is the exact pace for me. Not too fast but not awfully slow. I love the flashbacks to Orpheus as a child, they really help me understand and connect with his character. Orpheus is an unreliable narrator done well. I love how expressive and alive he feels.
The worldbuilding is fabulous. It dives more into the history of the world in the second half of the book but it was easy to follow. The writing was also very good and descriptive, and there wasn't any info dumps which I appreciated.

Content Warnings

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

4.5

I received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Angus is a brilliant narrator and the story is humorous and touching as it examines Angus's relationship with his older brother Liam as the two begin to grow apart. It is definitely a story that kids can relate to, especially those with older siblings, and a book that will charm readers with its funny moments and Shakespearean quotes.
However, I do feel that it would be more suited to the older range of middle grade as it does deal with heavy topics such as addiction and alcoholism.

Content Warnings