Scan barcode
corabookworm's reviews
235 reviews
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I’m gonna be honest I did not fully understand this book but it was very scary and dark and interesting and creepy and fun.
Content Warnings
Lots of body horror and fungi and stuff.
A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
In Harvest of Hearts, Foss Butcher lives in a village occasionally visited by sorceresses from the city. These sorceresses leave with the hearts of the villagers, taking enchanted, lovestruck, empty people with them. And this time, Foss is one of them.
First of all, I don't know if I would describe this book as a "cozy fantasy." A lot of the plot points were pretty dark (people's hearts regularly get pulled from their chests?). But I think I understand the gist, because this book definitely had fairy-tale vibes. It was a little slower paced, with a sweet romance, a talking cat, and a semi-sentient house.
But I really enjoyed this book, even if it was less cozy than expected! It had an interesting concept, cute characters, and again, a sweet romance! Though obviously the talking cat was the best part. It was a little slow paced for my preferences, and the "but I'm so ugly" stuff from the main character got a little old, but there were enough nuances in the story to make it a very fun read!
First of all, I don't know if I would describe this book as a "cozy fantasy." A lot of the plot points were pretty dark (people's hearts regularly get pulled from their chests?). But I think I understand the gist, because this book definitely had fairy-tale vibes. It was a little slower paced, with a sweet romance, a talking cat, and a semi-sentient house.
But I really enjoyed this book, even if it was less cozy than expected! It had an interesting concept, cute characters, and again, a sweet romance! Though obviously the talking cat was the best part. It was a little slow paced for my preferences, and the "but I'm so ugly" stuff from the main character got a little old, but there were enough nuances in the story to make it a very fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Death
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Classism
I say "body horror" though it's not really described in a scary or gorey way, its more like they just reach into your chest and plop out your heart. And this slowly kills you, which I put down as "terminal illness"?Idk y'all, it's fantasy. And I say "body shaming" because the main character often talks down at herself for being "ugly."
The Secret Agent: With an Introduction by Giles Foden by Joseph Conrad
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Had to read for school. Everyone spent too much time talking. Interesting though.
Plantation Goods: A Material History of American Slavery by Seth Rockman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Started reading for school but honestly just couldn’t focus because there was SO much detail and the author kept going on lil tangents and down rabbit holes. Super interesting but not an easy read. Read to here and then skimmed the rest.
The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Unfortunately just lacked the depth that I’d hoped for (especially in female characters) but was a fun YA historical fantasy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The majority of this book was like if George Orwell wrote queer feminist fantasy, and the last part was toxic romance and sex and fast-paced action. I honestly enjoyed this book, though I felt like it was missing a lot of things I loved from Iron Widow. The love interests are totally different (Shimin is simply not present (BRING SHIMIN BACK), while Yihzi is an asshole and has no chemistry with Zetian) and the feminine rage, while there, doesn't get to be quite as murderous and crazy. It was at least interesting commentary on politics and what a post-revolution government would look like, and while I'm still a bit confused by the ending, I look forward to reading the sequel. Definitely a good book, just didn't pack as much punch as the first.
Also, note: This book is much more adult than the first, I would not classify it as YA. Maybe NA.
Also, note: This book is much more adult than the first, I would not classify it as YA. Maybe NA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism
SPOILERS AHEAD!! This book picks up after the events of the first, and focuses on the political instability after revolution. There are lots of mentions of death/executions/torture, as well as riots, economic instability, etc.. Zetian continues fighting for women's rights, which involves misogyny, talks of domestic abuse, and curing disabilities when they find a way to reverse footbinding. Another big plot point is pregnancy, with mentions of abortion and miscarriages, as Zetian is forced to fake a pregnancy and her eggs are stolen without her consent to impregnate someone else. Several sex scenes that are written as violent though consensual. Battle scenes, death, war, etc..
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Overall plot was slow but lots of fast paced action scenes and stuff. Really liked the plot. Good combo of dark academia and fantasy and mystery. Got a little confused by the multitude of plot twists at the end but worked it out eventually. Alex is a fun character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury