e_gracereads's reviews
225 reviews

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The first story here was vastly better than the others, but I still enjoyed them - overall a more or less good horror story collection. 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Again, beautiful prose, and stunning speculative fiction. There’s something about ESJM’s writing that feels very accessible but almost ethereal still. Well done. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Listen, I know I’m just another chick who decided to read this book, but Jesus is it worth the hype. Is it probably objectively the best book I’ve ever read? No. But did it scratch every itch, have every ounce of the political, romantic, and fantastic intrigue that I wanted, and have fantastic characters? Yes. 5 stars. Absolutely outstanding. 

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

This… might actually be my first one star book? I hated this. I don’t know why I finished it. The characters were all unenjoyable, the plot didn’t hold enough weight to carry the book, and the characters couldn’t do it by themselves. The writing was confusing, and I didn’t enjoy the style. I think I just really might not be a Chuck Palahniuk fan. 

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I’m giving this book 3 stars right now because I REALLY don’t know how to feel about it. It was beautifully written, and I was utterly enthralled the entire time I read it. But it was, at its core, about a love story between an underage woman and an adult man, and as a result is deeply unsettling. I’m torn here - the book was beautiful, and despite it all, I was still rooting for Kellen and Wavy. That being said, I was a little disgusted with myself because of it. I can see why some people say it glamorizes and excuses pedophilia, but I also understand the people who find it beautiful. This is a tough one for me. 

In Mercy, Rain by Seanan McGuire

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was fine - an addendum that would have presumably fit with DATSAB, but enjoyable nonetheless. 

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely ADORE this series by Seanan McGuire. One always worries that a sequel won’t hit the same as the first book, and that’s simply not true of this novella. I highly recommend; it’s beautiful. 

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I’m… still not sure what happened in this book? It was confusing and maybe I’m just not smart enough for it, but uh. It was not at all what I expected it to be and not entirely enjoyable. Currently thankful it was a short book. 

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.

Maybe I’ll come back to this, but this was entirely too much for my brain to handle right now. Too much explanation, not enough exposition. 

Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie

challenging dark emotional sad 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? Yes

3.0

This was very well written! It was just kind of… meh. The storyline was interesting, and I like how it ended bleakly. The point of view from the parents was a good take, it just fell a little generally flat for me.