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exteenawreads's reviews
366 reviews
The Divine Flesh by Drew Huff
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I think I may be obsessed with this book? Has the Divine Flesh Herself gotten Her loving tendrils into me and assimilated me? Maybe?
This book is an absolutely unhinged, deranged wild ride, following a junkie and her ex-husband as they combat - but also love - a cosmic Eldritch murderess monster goddess called the Divine Flesh. Although truly horrific and disturbing, I often was laughing out loud and could not put this book down. I also had no idea what was happening or where it was heading - though it does eventually make sense in the end and wrap up nicely (?). There were several points I was thinking "my God, this is insane, this must be the finale" but then I'd realize I was only 38% or 56% through, and it only got more insane as I went.
The Divine Flesh, who is trapped inside Jennifer the Junkie's body and fighting for control, talks like a silly little kawaii princess who just wants to PLAY with FLESH please Jennifer let her OUT! TEEHEE! it was just so ridiculously silly and I dunno, I just love her. Flesh abominations and brutal murder sprees and all.
It is absolutely not for the squeamish or faint of heart - there is gore, body horror, sexual violence, violence against children, drug addicts, religious zealous, racists, homophobic hillbillies - truly check your trigger warnings before diving in. It reminded me a bit of Chuck Palahniuk's early writing (Guts, Invisible Monsters, Snuff). But also like, if Venom and Men in Black had a crazy meth horror baby. Take that how you will.
I was happy to receive a review copy / ARC from Netgalley, thank you NG, Drew Huff, and Dark Matter INK!
This book is an absolutely unhinged, deranged wild ride, following a junkie and her ex-husband as they combat - but also love - a cosmic Eldritch murderess monster goddess called the Divine Flesh. Although truly horrific and disturbing, I often was laughing out loud and could not put this book down. I also had no idea what was happening or where it was heading - though it does eventually make sense in the end and wrap up nicely (?). There were several points I was thinking "my God, this is insane, this must be the finale" but then I'd realize I was only 38% or 56% through, and it only got more insane as I went.
The Divine Flesh, who is trapped inside Jennifer the Junkie's body and fighting for control, talks like a silly little kawaii princess who just wants to PLAY with FLESH please Jennifer let her OUT! TEEHEE! it was just so ridiculously silly and I dunno, I just love her. Flesh abominations and brutal murder sprees and all.
It is absolutely not for the squeamish or faint of heart - there is gore, body horror, sexual violence, violence against children, drug addicts, religious zealous, racists, homophobic hillbillies - truly check your trigger warnings before diving in. It reminded me a bit of Chuck Palahniuk's early writing (Guts, Invisible Monsters, Snuff). But also like, if Venom and Men in Black had a crazy meth horror baby. Take that how you will.
I was happy to receive a review copy / ARC from Netgalley, thank you NG, Drew Huff, and Dark Matter INK!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
adventurous
dark
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
2.5
(2.5⭐) I love Christina Lauren's writing but the vibes here just weren't for me. The smut to plot ratio was pretty extreme - I think almost every chapter was mostly just a smut scene - and I get the big ick from the "big corporate boss X intern" power dynamic. I don't believe this couple actually likes each other or would last once the lust wore off.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley
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? Yes
3.5
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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? No
3.0
Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.25
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
The Wicked King by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Mollymauk Tealeaf by Jody Houser, Taliesin Jaffe, Matthew Mercer, Hunter Severn Bonyun
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
Crucible by B.B. Reid
dark
tense
medium-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
3.0
I received the ARC, thank you Val PR! Gave this a flat 3 because it's written well and I'm sure the dark romance readers would love it, but these themes are not for me. I have a hard time calling this romance when it is more survival horror/Stockholm syndrome smut, but I'm not about to kink shame y'all 😂 definitely check your trigger warnings though.
Crucible is a play off Goldilocks and the Three Bears, where our FMC is a spoiled pop star who's plane crashed in the wilderness. She finds a reclusive cabin in the mountains, and the three men who live there decide to "keep" her.
Themes:
⚠️ Non-consent, partial consent, assault, kidnapping, death, wilderness survival, cults, suicide
⚠️ A character has multiple personality disorder, and I don't *love* the way that it was handled.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Very smutty. This book is like 80% smut and the first half of it is mostly nonconsensual, so be warned.
❄️ Reverse harem, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, alpha-dudes
Crucible is a play off Goldilocks and the Three Bears, where our FMC is a spoiled pop star who's plane crashed in the wilderness. She finds a reclusive cabin in the mountains, and the three men who live there decide to "keep" her.
Themes:
⚠️ Non-consent, partial consent, assault, kidnapping, death, wilderness survival, cults, suicide
⚠️ A character has multiple personality disorder, and I don't *love* the way that it was handled.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Very smutty. This book is like 80% smut and the first half of it is mostly nonconsensual, so be warned.
❄️ Reverse harem, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, alpha-dudes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship