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exteenawreads's reviews
338 reviews
All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us about Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today by Elizabeth Comen
challenging
informative
medium-paced
5.0
The top review of this book is something like "Do you want to be very ANGRY and INFORMED????", and I think that pretty much sums it up.
This was excellent and should be required reading for anyone in the medical field or anyone making policy about women's bodies. Also, just, all women - so they understand how we've been systematically dealt a horrible hand from the start and how to better advocate for our health so that the next generation hopefully gets better.
This was excellent and should be required reading for anyone in the medical field or anyone making policy about women's bodies. Also, just, all women - so they understand how we've been systematically dealt a horrible hand from the start and how to better advocate for our health so that the next generation hopefully gets better.
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.25
"Iād always thought that we were the same. That we were two shades of the same color. But as I sat there, watching Johnny swim back to the bank, I had only one thought: that he was a storm in the clouds, just minutes away from breaking."
You know how some twins have that phantom twin connection? Well, what happens when one twin dies mysteriously, and the other one feels it and knows it wasn't an accident?
(4.25ā-ARC) I am definitely a fan of Adrienne's writing and the hypnotic way she lays out a story. Although I didn't love this *quite* as much as June Farrow, I was still entranced throughout this read. I do think the beginning was a bit slow and repetitive, dragging the mystery in front of the reader a few too many times. But, once things start to fall into place around halfway in, it was hard to put down.
This reads like a mystery/thriller with some a tiny dash of magical surrealism and some romance (though that is very much not the focus). The vibes felt like the video game Life is Strange, where there is a constant sense of unease and oddity as you explore the complicated ins and outs of a character and their community. I thought the twin phantom connection was super interesting, and the emotional twists and turns as James learns more about her old hometown and her brother were captivating. I did find the two romance side stories a little too undeveloped, they maybe needed to either be more built up or removed.
"A long, exhausted breath escaped his lips. 'We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other.' "
It's true, you could, I wish you did though because I wanted to read those things!
Overall a thrilling, captivating, and mysterious read perfect for sitting by a window during a thunderstorm.
Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press/Random House for the ARC!
You know how some twins have that phantom twin connection? Well, what happens when one twin dies mysteriously, and the other one feels it and knows it wasn't an accident?
(4.25ā-ARC) I am definitely a fan of Adrienne's writing and the hypnotic way she lays out a story. Although I didn't love this *quite* as much as June Farrow, I was still entranced throughout this read. I do think the beginning was a bit slow and repetitive, dragging the mystery in front of the reader a few too many times. But, once things start to fall into place around halfway in, it was hard to put down.
This reads like a mystery/thriller with some a tiny dash of magical surrealism and some romance (though that is very much not the focus). The vibes felt like the video game Life is Strange, where there is a constant sense of unease and oddity as you explore the complicated ins and outs of a character and their community. I thought the twin phantom connection was super interesting, and the emotional twists and turns as James learns more about her old hometown and her brother were captivating. I did find the two romance side stories a little too undeveloped, they maybe needed to either be more built up or removed.
"A long, exhausted breath escaped his lips. 'We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other.' "
It's true, you could, I wish you did though because I wanted to read those things!
Overall a thrilling, captivating, and mysterious read perfect for sitting by a window during a thunderstorm.
Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press/Random House for the ARC!
The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
"I think some important scientific questions have finally been answered. Alien life exists, and they are assholes."
This book hit perfect in a lot of my sweet spots:
- Centered around a team of scientists, so like a dark sci-fi academia. The science felt real but not too heavy for non-sciencey readers to get lost
- Believable, well-developed characters with flaws and motivations that show the broad extremes of human behavior, especially when in extreme situations.
- A unique, thought-provoking premise that had on the edge of my seat. I did guess some plot points but through a majority of the book I was still very unsure where things would go or how we'd get there.
- A space opera with writing that beautifully evokes an array of emotions. I was tense, I laughed, I was heartbroken, I was furious, I was vengeful.
I am certainly now a fan of this author, very much looking forward to the rest of this series and will be adding the Expanse series to my TBR!
This book hit perfect in a lot of my sweet spots:
- Centered around a team of scientists, so like a dark sci-fi academia. The science felt real but not too heavy for non-sciencey readers to get lost
- Believable, well-developed characters with flaws and motivations that show the broad extremes of human behavior, especially when in extreme situations.
- A unique, thought-provoking premise that had on the edge of my seat. I did guess some plot points but through a majority of the book I was still very unsure where things would go or how we'd get there.
- A space opera with writing that beautifully evokes an array of emotions. I was tense, I laughed, I was heartbroken, I was furious, I was vengeful.
I am certainly now a fan of this author, very much looking forward to the rest of this series and will be adding the Expanse series to my TBR!
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is one of those books that's hard to describe my feelings for. I think it's extremely clever and has some poignant commentary on several important although taboo subjects (young single moms, sex work, drug addiction, child welfare, custody disputes). Did I enjoy it though? I dunno. I felt frustrated reading it because the characters are such flawed people who make bad decisions, but they are humans in our terrible society so that's kind of the point.
I think it's definitely worth the hype, but it's certainly not for everyone or for people who are in the mood for something that gives warm fuzzies.
I think it's definitely worth the hype, but it's certainly not for everyone or for people who are in the mood for something that gives warm fuzzies.
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I'd be willing to staple my own hand if it would ensure that I never read another book where the MC goes on and on in their inner monologue about how they have no idea what is going on with regards to the plot points that are very very obvious to the reader.
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This started off so strong with cozy cottagecore vibes and a cool concept for a magic system, but ended up being disappointing. The structure and pacing makes what should be a cute story ultimately boring and lackluster. I could tell the plot of the book by the first 20ish pages, and none of the "twists" were remotely surprising.
There are several instances of an attempt to leave breadcrumbs for some major plot points, but they are more like loaves of bread thrown at the reader's face. It treats the reader like they are stupid - giving the same clues over and over, while the main character constantly monologues about how they don't understand the very obvious situation that is occuring. The reveals of these plot points end up being almost annoying (like...ya! Duh!), where it could have been cool if the rest of the book didn't beat you over the head with clues throughout.
The characters in this book also act and speak pretty immaturely, and feel more like teenagers than adults. The romance is not believable and jumps immediately from a contentious one to suddenly head over heels for each other - and it has no true build up. There is one very minor sexual scene near the end of the book that felt out of place and out of character for them (and weirdly modern/praise kinky? Why?). Without this scene, I'd call this book middle grade from its writing.
This read was honestly a bummer! The premise, the world, and the magic was so promising but it just did not deliver a satisfying story.
There are several instances of an attempt to leave breadcrumbs for some major plot points, but they are more like loaves of bread thrown at the reader's face. It treats the reader like they are stupid - giving the same clues over and over, while the main character constantly monologues about how they don't understand the very obvious situation that is occuring. The reveals of these plot points end up being almost annoying (like...ya! Duh!), where it could have been cool if the rest of the book didn't beat you over the head with clues throughout.
The characters in this book also act and speak pretty immaturely, and feel more like teenagers than adults. The romance is not believable and jumps immediately from a contentious one to suddenly head over heels for each other - and it has no true build up. There is one very minor sexual scene near the end of the book that felt out of place and out of character for them (and weirdly modern/praise kinky? Why?). Without this scene, I'd call this book middle grade from its writing.
This read was honestly a bummer! The premise, the world, and the magic was so promising but it just did not deliver a satisfying story.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Thrum by Meg Smitherman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Fundamental Magics by Alex Evans
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
(3.5 ā - ARC) I really enjoyed the story and the steampunk/Arcane magical science vibes of this book, but it definitely needs more editing. I'm having a hard time summarizing my thoughts so I'll break it down a bit:
Characters - I really love our MC, Adrienne, a dedicated scientist who is essentially studying the niche equivalent of magic theoretical physics. Her life is formulaic and mundane and she's content with that - until her niche abilities are suddenly very sought after by some powerful people. She has her work and her handful of acquaintances, and couldn't be bothered by socializing or wearing corsets or courting a man. It's not until she finds someone who is as deeply dedicated to research as she is where her interests are piqued, though that doesn't change who she is. She's just a huge nerd (kind of reminded me of Bones or Elizabeth Zott), love that about her and enjoyed reading her POV.
"To me, a man was just a waste of time. Not that I was completely devoid of experience in this area. I had tried a few things during my second year of college , more out of scientific curiosity than lust. I had concluded that sex was a complicated, uncomfortable, slimy business, much less interesting than what we were led to believe. No comparison with the exhilarating thrill of research or the sharp pleasure of discovery."
Some other characters were fun, but a lot were introduced and we don't get to see enough development or spend enough time with each one to see their impact.
World - we are introduced to a large world that has many places, cultures, political strife, religions, differing tech, and war. And then there's magic or "the Power", which isn't well understood, and even other planes where magical creatures like demons, jinn, and unicorns preside. It's hard to get the full picture from a short book, but it felt like a rich lore is there ready to be explored. It maybe needs to be called a bit in this first introduction, though, to focus more on building where the story takes place.
Writing - another reviewer said this was translated from French, and it is self published, so what is here is impressive. I do think it needs more help in terms of editing, though. There are misused words, repeated paragraphs that seem like rewrites that weren't deleted, and other various typos. I think with some more serious polish, it would be a great read
Characters - I really love our MC, Adrienne, a dedicated scientist who is essentially studying the niche equivalent of magic theoretical physics. Her life is formulaic and mundane and she's content with that - until her niche abilities are suddenly very sought after by some powerful people. She has her work and her handful of acquaintances, and couldn't be bothered by socializing or wearing corsets or courting a man. It's not until she finds someone who is as deeply dedicated to research as she is where her interests are piqued, though that doesn't change who she is. She's just a huge nerd (kind of reminded me of Bones or Elizabeth Zott), love that about her and enjoyed reading her POV.
"To me, a man was just a waste of time. Not that I was completely devoid of experience in this area. I had tried a few things during my second year of college , more out of scientific curiosity than lust. I had concluded that sex was a complicated, uncomfortable, slimy business, much less interesting than what we were led to believe. No comparison with the exhilarating thrill of research or the sharp pleasure of discovery."
Some other characters were fun, but a lot were introduced and we don't get to see enough development or spend enough time with each one to see their impact.
World - we are introduced to a large world that has many places, cultures, political strife, religions, differing tech, and war. And then there's magic or "the Power", which isn't well understood, and even other planes where magical creatures like demons, jinn, and unicorns preside. It's hard to get the full picture from a short book, but it felt like a rich lore is there ready to be explored. It maybe needs to be called a bit in this first introduction, though, to focus more on building where the story takes place.
Writing - another reviewer said this was translated from French, and it is self published, so what is here is impressive. I do think it needs more help in terms of editing, though. There are misused words, repeated paragraphs that seem like rewrites that weren't deleted, and other various typos. I think with some more serious polish, it would be a great read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
This is an excellent debut from Kristen B. Cole and a fun, respectfully spicy romance I'd recommend for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Christina Lauren (although, I was bummed that "The Scientist" was only the MMC, because I love a STEM female main character).
Overall I enjoyed the story, and especially was impressed by how much personality we get from the cast of side characters. It's a pet peeve of mine when the mains have one or two token friends who feel like they exist only to serve the protagonist's story, but here we have several people - the mom, Sarah, Nicky, etc - who all have fleshed out and unique personalities. Special shout out to Stuart (who was giving Jonah Hill from Accepted vibes) and Lionel - I'd read another book just centered around one of those two.
Things I like:
- the cover! Honestly its so pretty and unique, I was instantly intrigued
- the mains development a friendship first. There is essentially no lusting or flirting between them until maybe 40% in. I appreciate when there's some build up before a relationship happens.
- Lex, our MMC, is fully *obsessed* with her. He simps, he pines, he flaunts. It's very cute.
- Hadley, our FMC, is snarky and clever, and constantly dishing out the goofiest jokes. I will admit, at first I found her humor sort of too cheesy and dad-jokey, but it grew on me.
Things not for me:
- the way every male has to flirt with and comment on Hadley (and every other woman's) appearance. It felt like high school boy behavior, not post-graduate men. And they just never stop. It would make me so uncomfortable to be around these guys if I were her.
- I'm personally not a fan of third act breakups, although it was clear that where this was heading for a while
- although I love how obsessed Lex is, I got the ick from how overly possessive and sensitive he got (esp with Hadley's ex). You can't love and respect your lady if you aren't going to trust her and communicate with her!
- the pacing in the second half. I wish the main conflict at the end was teased sooner so there was some suspense or thread pulling us through
Thank you so much NetGalley and My Trope Productions for the ARC! Definitely check this out when it comes out in January 2025.š
Overall I enjoyed the story, and especially was impressed by how much personality we get from the cast of side characters. It's a pet peeve of mine when the mains have one or two token friends who feel like they exist only to serve the protagonist's story, but here we have several people - the mom, Sarah, Nicky, etc - who all have fleshed out and unique personalities. Special shout out to Stuart (who was giving Jonah Hill from Accepted vibes) and Lionel - I'd read another book just centered around one of those two.
Things I like:
- the cover! Honestly its so pretty and unique, I was instantly intrigued
- the mains development a friendship first. There is essentially no lusting or flirting between them until maybe 40% in. I appreciate when there's some build up before a relationship happens.
- Lex, our MMC, is fully *obsessed* with her. He simps, he pines, he flaunts. It's very cute.
- Hadley, our FMC, is snarky and clever, and constantly dishing out the goofiest jokes. I will admit, at first I found her humor sort of too cheesy and dad-jokey, but it grew on me.
Things not for me:
- the way every male has to flirt with and comment on Hadley (and every other woman's) appearance. It felt like high school boy behavior, not post-graduate men. And they just never stop. It would make me so uncomfortable to be around these guys if I were her.
- I'm personally not a fan of third act breakups, although it was clear that where this was heading for a while
- although I love how obsessed Lex is, I got the ick from how overly possessive and sensitive he got (esp with Hadley's ex). You can't love and respect your lady if you aren't going to trust her and communicate with her!
- the pacing in the second half. I wish the main conflict at the end was teased sooner so there was some suspense or thread pulling us through
Thank you so much NetGalley and My Trope Productions for the ARC! Definitely check this out when it comes out in January 2025.š
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use