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camiandkitread's reviews
364 reviews
Jane: Starvation, Cannibalism, and Endurance at Jamestown by James Horn, William M. Kelso, Beverly Straube, Douglas Owsley
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Very short but provides an excellent overview on Jane, the fourteen girl whose remains were discovered at Jamestown in 2012.
Jane was a victim of the starving time and after archaeologists discovered her skull and tibia in the cellar at James Fort—not interred in a grave—it quickly became apparent that Jane’s death was not what it seemed. She had been cannibalized during the Starving Times.
This book was the first to be published on Jane and has excellent color photographs of her remains, facial reconstruction, and other artifacts found at Jamestown. The information in it is rather brief, since this is such a small book, but it gives an overview on the discovery, the few facts researchers could tell about Jane from her remains, and a very brief history of the settlement. The information is all provided in a very respectful way, especially in regards to Jane.
Jane was a victim of the starving time and after archaeologists discovered her skull and tibia in the cellar at James Fort—not interred in a grave—it quickly became apparent that Jane’s death was not what it seemed. She had been cannibalized during the Starving Times.
This book was the first to be published on Jane and has excellent color photographs of her remains, facial reconstruction, and other artifacts found at Jamestown. The information in it is rather brief, since this is such a small book, but it gives an overview on the discovery, the few facts researchers could tell about Jane from her remains, and a very brief history of the settlement. The information is all provided in a very respectful way, especially in regards to Jane.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Cannibalism
The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Kathryn Purdie takes readers back into the dark Forest Grimm in “The Deathly Grimm,” the sequel to “The Forest Grimm.”
Filled with more eerie retellings of the Brothers Grimm’s fairytales, the stakes are somehow higher for the main characters as they realize that it’s time to break the curse on the Forest Grimm and Grimm Hollow once and for all. Along the way, Clara must learn how to wield her powers and distinguish what is real and what isn’t. But that is easier said than done in the Forest Grimm…
“The Deathly Grimm” is an excellent follow up to “The Forest Grimm” and serves as a great conclusion to the duology. Purdie cleverly twisted several more classic Grimm fairytales to suit the needs for her plot. She also filled the story with twists and turns to leave a reader guessing what will happen next. Some twists are definitely a little predictable, but that doesn’t make them any less fun.
If you’ve ever watched “Once Upon a Time” and wished it was just a little darker (and have a less confusing family tree), then “The Forest Grimm” duology is definitely a series you should check out!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with more eerie retellings of the Brothers Grimm’s fairytales, the stakes are somehow higher for the main characters as they realize that it’s time to break the curse on the Forest Grimm and Grimm Hollow once and for all. Along the way, Clara must learn how to wield her powers and distinguish what is real and what isn’t. But that is easier said than done in the Forest Grimm…
“The Deathly Grimm” is an excellent follow up to “The Forest Grimm” and serves as a great conclusion to the duology. Purdie cleverly twisted several more classic Grimm fairytales to suit the needs for her plot. She also filled the story with twists and turns to leave a reader guessing what will happen next. Some twists are definitely a little predictable, but that doesn’t make them any less fun.
If you’ve ever watched “Once Upon a Time” and wished it was just a little darker (and have a less confusing family tree), then “The Forest Grimm” duology is definitely a series you should check out!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
In "Heartless Hunter," readers thought the stakes couldn't be higher than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love but oh MAN did Kristen Ciccarelli prove us wrong or what in "Rebel Witch?!" The action-packed sequel to Ciccarelli's five-star romantic fantasy succeeded in cranking the heat up on the main characters--literally and figuratively.
Ciccarelli's duology is such a wonderful read because it's the rare romantasy that can pull off a romance AND world-building. Sure, it's got all the tropes that make a romantic squeal but it also has a unique magic system and an actual plot. I'm reticent to add much more to my review in case I accidently spoil even the smallest thing about this book.
If you haven't read "The Crimson Moth" duology, stop whatever you're reading and pick up "Heartless Hunter" now and make sure you check out "Rebel Witch" when it comes releases on February 18, 2025!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ciccarelli's duology is such a wonderful read because it's the rare romantasy that can pull off a romance AND world-building. Sure, it's got all the tropes that make a romantic squeal but it also has a unique magic system and an actual plot. I'm reticent to add much more to my review in case I accidently spoil even the smallest thing about this book.
If you haven't read "The Crimson Moth" duology, stop whatever you're reading and pick up "Heartless Hunter" now and make sure you check out "Rebel Witch" when it comes releases on February 18, 2025!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
I try to give debuts a lot of grace on pacing and jerky writing, etc. but this was too much.
Why does every paragraph start with “Fi???”
“Fi lifted her finger…” “Fi resisted the urge…” “Fi finished writing…” “Fi stumbled…” All of that is on the same page and they’re pretty much all like that. Awful lot of telling going on, not a lot of showing. And the repetition is just maddening—I can’t focus on the story because my eyes are searching for the same words being used over and over.
Why does every paragraph start with “Fi???”
“Fi lifted her finger…” “Fi resisted the urge…” “Fi finished writing…” “Fi stumbled…” All of that is on the same page and they’re pretty much all like that. Awful lot of telling going on, not a lot of showing. And the repetition is just maddening—I can’t focus on the story because my eyes are searching for the same words being used over and over.
The Women's War in the South: Recollections and Reflections of the American Civil War by
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Way too narrative, reads like a children’s history book.
The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg by Helen Rappaport
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Focusing on the Romanov family’s final two weeks alive, “The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg” is an unsettling read.
Helen Rappaport is an excellent historian and writer. “The Last Days of the Romanovs” has her trademark emphasis on a strong narrative history, but it is less like a conversation with the reader—the history about the murder of eleven people laid out as accurately as possible. This is the most respectful way to present the information to readers. However, it fully drives home how barbaric their botched execution was, which is in sharp contrast to the glamorized version so often passed off as the truth.
The book included details I had either not known or had forgotten from her other books. Some of them, such as the unfeeling, deliberate orchestration of the murders of the seven Romanovs and their four servants, I think perhaps I wish I hadn’t learned.
Helen Rappaport is an excellent historian and writer. “The Last Days of the Romanovs” has her trademark emphasis on a strong narrative history, but it is less like a conversation with the reader—the history about the murder of eleven people laid out as accurately as possible. This is the most respectful way to present the information to readers. However, it fully drives home how barbaric their botched execution was, which is in sharp contrast to the glamorized version so often passed off as the truth.
The book included details I had either not known or had forgotten from her other books. Some of them, such as the unfeeling, deliberate orchestration of the murders of the seven Romanovs and their four servants, I think perhaps I wish I hadn’t learned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, and Pregnancy
The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
“The Enigma Game” is an interesting historical thriller set in World War II that features multiple main characters and high stakes. It was an okay read, but it was not nearly as compelling as “Code Name Verity.”
This book jumped around so much it felt that my copy was missing pages—scenes and thoughts and interactions were rushed through with such breakneck speed I could hardly keep up. It’s disappointing that “The Enigma Game” had such pacing problems because Wein’s characters were interesting and I wanted to know what would happen to them next.
If I had read “The Enigma Game” before “Code Name Verity,” which is the chronological order of the books, I think I would have enjoyed it more. But alas, I went in publication order.
This book jumped around so much it felt that my copy was missing pages—scenes and thoughts and interactions were rushed through with such breakneck speed I could hardly keep up. It’s disappointing that “The Enigma Game” had such pacing problems because Wein’s characters were interesting and I wanted to know what would happen to them next.
If I had read “The Enigma Game” before “Code Name Verity,” which is the chronological order of the books, I think I would have enjoyed it more. But alas, I went in publication order.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Colonisation
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Death might be haunted by humans, but I am haunted by “The Book Thief.”
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A lot of books get called a “modern classic” but in the case of “The Book Thief” it’s completely justified. Markus Zusak wrote a story that everyone should read at least once in their lives.
As is often the case with historical fiction, it can be difficult for an author to work in their research and make sure the characters sound believable to their time period. I’m often pulled out of books because the author couldn’t manage it but never had that problem with Zusak’s work. Everything felt so authentic that I felt like I was walking with Death—our narrator—as he told me the story of Liesel Meminger and Himmel Street and collected the souls of so many who died during World War II.
“The Book Thief” manages to blend timeless childhood experiences— playing soccer with your friends, standing up to bullies, having a crush on your best friend—with the harsh realities of war—not having enough to eat, fearing the next air raid, struggling to keep your loved ones safe while still doing the right thing. The conversational narrative tone told the story in a mostly chronological order but gave hints or small spoilers as the story unfolded, leaving the reader to simultaneously eagerly anticipate and dread the final chapter and the epilogue.
The themes of Zusak’s debut novel stay with the reader long after they’ve closed the book or stopped the audiobook. The primary theme is the power of words, of course. The duality of humans, capable of such kindness and cruelty, is another key theme. There are both small and large acts of kindness woven through the story and the same with cruelty. It’s something the characters constantly have to overcome, and something for the reader to reflect upon.
There’s so much to say about “The Book Thief,” but I’m no Liesel or Max so my words would be ineffective. I highly recommend you read, or even reread, “The Book Thief” for yourself and experience the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Blood, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
Although titled “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics,” the book primarily focuses on one boy in the boat—Joe Rantz.
Brown wrote a compelling biography of Rantz, retelling his Cinderella story from an abandoned child to an an American Olympian in one of the most politically important Olympics in history. His commentary about how the Nazis meticulously weaponized the 1936 Olympics to “legitimize” themselves to other countries was particularly interesting. However, I didn’t feel that I really learned anything about the other eight Americans and their epic quest for gold until the epilogue, which summarized their lives after the Berlin Olympics.
I was extremely excited to read “The Boys in the Boat” because I thought it would spend more time analyzing the political motivations of the 1936 Olympics, specifically if and how American athleticism was leveraged against the Nazis. The boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics and the use of American and Canadian athletic exceptionalism to make a statement again the Soviet Union is a very interesting part of history and I see some parallels between those Olympic Games and the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but I hoped for a book that Brown did not write.
“The Boys in the Boat” was a mildly interesting read, with plenty of heartwarming and heartbreaking moments alike. It gave an excellent biography of Joe Rantz and touched on the unique difficulties that college athletes faced during the Great Depression, such as finding enough food to fuel themselves. Interesting background about the machinations of the Nazis’ plan to showcase themselves as civilized, athletic super men to the other world powers gave an interesting juxtaposition to the comparatively small scale machinations of the University of Washington crew coach to assemble a team capable of going to the Olympics.
Brown wrote a compelling biography of Rantz, retelling his Cinderella story from an abandoned child to an an American Olympian in one of the most politically important Olympics in history. His commentary about how the Nazis meticulously weaponized the 1936 Olympics to “legitimize” themselves to other countries was particularly interesting. However, I didn’t feel that I really learned anything about the other eight Americans and their epic quest for gold until the epilogue, which summarized their lives after the Berlin Olympics.
I was extremely excited to read “The Boys in the Boat” because I thought it would spend more time analyzing the political motivations of the 1936 Olympics, specifically if and how American athleticism was leveraged against the Nazis. The boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics and the use of American and Canadian athletic exceptionalism to make a statement again the Soviet Union is a very interesting part of history and I see some parallels between those Olympic Games and the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but I hoped for a book that Brown did not write.
“The Boys in the Boat” was a mildly interesting read, with plenty of heartwarming and heartbreaking moments alike. It gave an excellent biography of Joe Rantz and touched on the unique difficulties that college athletes faced during the Great Depression, such as finding enough food to fuel themselves. Interesting background about the machinations of the Nazis’ plan to showcase themselves as civilized, athletic super men to the other world powers gave an interesting juxtaposition to the comparatively small scale machinations of the University of Washington crew coach to assemble a team capable of going to the Olympics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism