femaletrouble401's reviews
147 reviews

Maus: A Survivor's Tale. I, My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.75

So sad. 

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I agree with most reviewers, the author tries just a little too hard to make our FMC “not like other girls”. I don’t believe the numerous explanations about old cars, entitlement generations, and nails polish added anything relevant to our main characters background. 
Otherwise the story was well-written. If it is indeed a romance like the tags suggest, there was no romance in the first installment of this series. 

My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies by Ed Brubaker

dark mysterious medium-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? Yes

2.5

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

Woah. This was a wild read. Ignoring the incest…I was riveted. Heartbreaking and beautiful, themes regarding love, family, religion, and trust. I would love to read again AND read the next in the series. 

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

3.0

Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa's Historic Greenwood District by Hannibal Johnson

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

Smothermoss by Alisa Alering

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

A dark and dreamy novel. I would describe it as a southern gothic. Our two FMC were interesting and had depth. Some plot points were hard to follow. The “hand of God” interfered a lot. 

Baby Doll by Hollie Overton

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-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

4.5

I like that the author is taking us through everything that a victim in this situation would actually go through. It feels cathartic. Overton looks unflinchingly into the pain and heartache and healing that every person involved would experience. So many other pieces of media attempt to do the same and simply retraumatize the audience/MC for shock value. The author steers away from the truly gritty details while still conveying the strength it takes to endure. A few scenes feel overly dramatized and slight unrealistic, Rick being arrested for one, the confrontation between Abby and Missy for another. Overall this was a fast and satisfying read. 

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

challenging dark emotional sad 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? Yes

4.5

Wow, this book was insane. Absolutely nothing about the summary on the back of the book prepared me for the series of events that I read. It was sad and scary and gross and riveting. As soon as I started reading, I did not put the book down. I felt so bad for our main character, but then she got her revenge didn’t she?