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dmackreads's reviews
110 reviews
Seed by Ania Ahlborn
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Okay well, this book was definitely harmful to my anxiety and the ending?? Come onnnn bro, so brutal. This books descriptive imagery can be graphic in some parts, just warning ya’ll now. But it was very good and written very well. It kept my interest. I just was very anxious reading it so sometimes I didn’t even want to during times I knew I couldn’t handle the extra stress. Highly recommend though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was actually insane and so sad. You get to see from the three dead women’s perspectives the after effects of their murders. They follow this man, detectives, and their families unheard, unseen, and unfelt in hopes of putting a stop to him hurting anyone else. Eventually these girls all connect in the “after life” and are able to communicate with each other. It’s tense and definitely caused a spike in my anxiety out of fear for people in this book. It was so good I finished in less than 24 hours.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Violence, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
A Love Letter to Whiskey: Hello Lovely Box Special Edition by Kandi Steiner, Kandi Steiner
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
This book was A LOT. It’s the extended version and it was just too much but obviously you can choose to not read the extended version.
I knew this followed a toxic relationship but holy fuck, I was starting to get so annoyed. The constant cheating and complete lack of communication was asinine. Regardless though, it’s very real and relatable for a lot of people. This book was written incredibly well and I cared for the characters even though I wanted to bash their heads together sometimes.
So, I guess I have mixed opinions on this story and how I wanted to rate it but I settled on a higher rating because I felt the things I was meant to feel even if that was frustration and I did enjoy the story and loved the way it was written. I also liked that I was able to connect to the characters and feel emotion for and toward them and I stayed interested in what was going on.
I knew this followed a toxic relationship but holy fuck, I was starting to get so annoyed. The constant cheating and complete lack of communication was asinine. Regardless though, it’s very real and relatable for a lot of people. This book was written incredibly well and I cared for the characters even though I wanted to bash their heads together sometimes.
So, I guess I have mixed opinions on this story and how I wanted to rate it but I settled on a higher rating because I felt the things I was meant to feel even if that was frustration and I did enjoy the story and loved the way it was written. I also liked that I was able to connect to the characters and feel emotion for and toward them and I stayed interested in what was going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Alcohol
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
5.0
These girls are way mentally stronger than me because I would’ve either found a way to take that man out or take myself out because there’s no fucking way I could live like that until I just inevitably die.
You may read this book and find it unrealistic like some people because you feel like what I just said is how you’d handle this situation if it were you but everyone handles trauma differently and a lot of people shut down. You also don’t really know that for sure unless it were you. The fear of consequence doesn’t always seem worth the risk. Let’s also not forget… it’s literally fiction.
This book was disturbing and kept me so engaged. I didn’t want to stop reading. I needed to know the details about what they were experiencing, how it ended, if they escaped, who survived if any, etc., I wasn’t fond of the writing style at first but I got over it and got used to it.
You may read this book and find it unrealistic like some people because you feel like what I just said is how you’d handle this situation if it were you but everyone handles trauma differently and a lot of people shut down. You also don’t really know that for sure unless it were you. The fear of consequence doesn’t always seem worth the risk. Let’s also not forget… it’s literally fiction.
This book was disturbing and kept me so engaged. I didn’t want to stop reading. I needed to know the details about what they were experiencing, how it ended, if they escaped, who survived if any, etc., I wasn’t fond of the writing style at first but I got over it and got used to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I was pretty surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It could’ve used a little more depth or world building in my opinion but also it reads so damn good for a book just over 100 pages. I was so invested and read it so quick. Loved the characters also. It’s a fun, quick read
Blood on the Tide by Katee Robert
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I seriously wish this series was longer. Written more in depth the world building could’ve been insane. The plot is so good and I love the characters. My prior opinion from the first book still stands, I do feel like the writing is lacking and leans towards young adult, but I love how original this series is (at least to me, I haven’t read anything like it) and I love how it stays based in “fantasy land”. I love the characters and their growth and relationships also. Such a fun read.
Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
This book has an insane amount of potential. It could’ve been so much longer with in depth world building. I could’ve even seen it being written as an enemies to lovers or at least some groveling or something that drew out the start of the relationship between Bowen & Evelyn. The writing was very amateur in my opinion, it was giving young adult more than anything. HOWEVER, I STILL LOVED IT. I wanted more for sure. But the story is good, and the plot is there. It’s a very quick, easy read and truthfully the most original concept I’ve read in long time. I was able to get invested in the characters which is important to me. I also too often find the romance or “smut” in a lot of books to be overbearing or annoying and I end up skimming it because truthfully I feel like it’s too much of a focus but this was just the right amount and I didn’t find myself skimming anything. I’m excited to continue onto the second book!
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The writing style of this book threw me a little because third person is hard for me to follow or enjoy sometimes but I got so sucked into this I finished it in less than 24 hours.
I was NOT expecting the way this unraveled or how the people connected. Please check the trigger warnings because it’s fucked up.
If you’re looking for a thriller that you could read in one sitting if you had the time because you just need to know how it’s going to end, this is it.
I was NOT expecting the way this unraveled or how the people connected. Please check the trigger warnings because it’s fucked up.
If you’re looking for a thriller that you could read in one sitting if you had the time because you just need to know how it’s going to end, this is it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
This book wasn’t life changing by any means and I didn’t get super connected to the characters but I still enjoyed it and it was a quick read. The synopsis is pretty straight forward. Two people who made the choice to start killing other serial killers because of some things they’ve gone through cross paths and become friends and more later. They go through some scary experiences together. Grotesque in some parts but honestly not in too much detail that it’s overwhelming, as well as some in depth smut scenes. To me it’s a good palette cleanser.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
4.5
I won’t lie, the beginning of this book was very overwhelming at first to follow and understand but I think it’s because we’ve gotten spoiled with a lower quality vocabulary in so many of the books we read these days. Truthfully this was so painfully beautiful and well written. It made me ACHE all over. I haven’t felt physical, deep in my bones emotion from a book in quite awhile. Plus, when an author gives you both his/her perspectives, it makes you feel more because it’s like you’re in both of their minds. I definitely recommend giving this a chance even if the writing style and vocabulary can seem overwhelming.