Take a photo of a barcode or cover
foxfic's reviews
47 reviews
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is an urban fantasy where the additional layer to the world’s tapestry takes the form of a wide range of creatures from Slavic folklore, as well as the Order which hunts them. Through bargaining and desperation, an unlikely trio forms, and together with their secrets they seek out Baba Jaga.
I enjoyed how fluid the magic and supernatural elements in this world are — graspable if you understand certain rules, are willing to make sacrifices, can shift your perspective. Throughout the story are themes of accountability and forgiveness, loyalty and self sacrifice.
I don’t think there was a character I didn’t enjoy, no matter what side they wound up being on. The ending is of the variety where things are wrapped up, but there’s the potential for more (and an incoming sequel) because we’ve barely scratched the surface of this world.
I enjoyed how fluid the magic and supernatural elements in this world are — graspable if you understand certain rules, are willing to make sacrifices, can shift your perspective. Throughout the story are themes of accountability and forgiveness, loyalty and self sacrifice.
I don’t think there was a character I didn’t enjoy, no matter what side they wound up being on. The ending is of the variety where things are wrapped up, but there’s the potential for more (and an incoming sequel) because we’ve barely scratched the surface of this world.
But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is another entry into my beloved sapphic monster romance genre. In it, an ancient, humanoid spider has a bevy of human helpers within her storied mansion.
One such helper is the keeper of the keys — who holds the keys to open drawers containing the spider’s memories. Following the death of the old keeper, a new one is promoted, and she must solve a mystery before her mistress’s patience run out.
This is a short, lovely little gothic novella. I adored all of the interactions of the principle couple, and reveled in the intricate world building — things like rainbows of poppies eternally growing on the property, or the description of other ancient beings who exist elsewhere. I’d enthusiastically read another book in this setting.
I have one issue with a subplot and some decision making which I felt took away from the narrative, but other than that, this was a perfect book for me.
One such helper is the keeper of the keys — who holds the keys to open drawers containing the spider’s memories. Following the death of the old keeper, a new one is promoted, and she must solve a mystery before her mistress’s patience run out.
This is a short, lovely little gothic novella. I adored all of the interactions of the principle couple, and reveled in the intricate world building — things like rainbows of poppies eternally growing on the property, or the description of other ancient beings who exist elsewhere. I’d enthusiastically read another book in this setting.
I have one issue with a subplot and some decision making which I felt took away from the narrative, but other than that, this was a perfect book for me.
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I went into this one mostly blind, knowing only that it would likely be very descriptive in regard to gore given the author.
We follow a nameless main character as she experiences daily life in an all-female, post apocalyptic cult. Relegated to the status of Unworthy, she embraces the cult’s cruelty both in hopes of elevating herself and to keep her memories at bay. The arrival of a new woman soon changes everything.
The narrator tells her story through diary entries written in the present day with a combination of ink and blood. The tone is expertly woven — as she reflects on the cruelty of the world in her writing her priorities and perspective shift until she is almost unrecognizable. The ending skillfully struck a balance between tragic and hopeful.
We follow a nameless main character as she experiences daily life in an all-female, post apocalyptic cult. Relegated to the status of Unworthy, she embraces the cult’s cruelty both in hopes of elevating herself and to keep her memories at bay. The arrival of a new woman soon changes everything.
The narrator tells her story through diary entries written in the present day with a combination of ink and blood. The tone is expertly woven — as she reflects on the cruelty of the world in her writing her priorities and perspective shift until she is almost unrecognizable. The ending skillfully struck a balance between tragic and hopeful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Rape
Graphic depictions of cockroaches throughout the book
The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw, Richard Kadrey
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s a cosmic horror take on what has become a typical demon-hunting main character trope, but there’s plenty here to keep the story fresh and interesting.
We’re introduced to our main character, Julie, as she is trying her damnest to make ends meet only to be stymied at every turn, often by her ex, who works for a Buffyverse-esque law firm which owes their success to the eldritch horror they collectively worship.
When Julie accidentally summons an extradimensional being bent on destruction rather than a guardian angel, she’s assisted by her found family — a group ranging from her absolutely platonic best friend all the way to seemingly omnipotent cyber deities.
The magic system is visceral and gruesome and relies heavily on the concept of borrowing from tomorrow to pay for today, a sentiment which really resonated for me as a chronically ill person. The more Julie and the other characters take, the more they’ll have to reckon with later — but often there isn’t a choice to be had, and only one thing can be dealt with at a time.
This is a fully contained story, although there is a broader plot which does not get resolved, but likely will in the sequel.
We’re introduced to our main character, Julie, as she is trying her damnest to make ends meet only to be stymied at every turn, often by her ex, who works for a Buffyverse-esque law firm which owes their success to the eldritch horror they collectively worship.
When Julie accidentally summons an extradimensional being bent on destruction rather than a guardian angel, she’s assisted by her found family — a group ranging from her absolutely platonic best friend all the way to seemingly omnipotent cyber deities.
The magic system is visceral and gruesome and relies heavily on the concept of borrowing from tomorrow to pay for today, a sentiment which really resonated for me as a chronically ill person. The more Julie and the other characters take, the more they’ll have to reckon with later — but often there isn’t a choice to be had, and only one thing can be dealt with at a time.
This is a fully contained story, although there is a broader plot which does not get resolved, but likely will in the sequel.
Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
This is a sapphic folk horror about a mother and her 11 year old daughter who live together in a cabin in the woods. Their slight isolation from the nearby town and prevalence of hiking trails allow them to prey on and cannibalize ‘strays,’ which is how they refer to hikers and other people who come to their door seeking help.
This book does not shy away from gore and graphic descriptions of butchered human bodies and their consumption. It also offers a look at what this situation long-term would do to the brain and perspective of a child. The latter is especially true once the mother falls in love with a stray, whose status is elevated to step-parent startlingly fast. The resulting dynamic, as well as the daughter’s interactions with classmates and her school bus driver are the main focuses — all things which come to a boiling point when familial bonds are stretched too thin.
The prose is descriptive and, yes, disgusting, but it manages to stick the landing on also being poetic and, at times, beautiful. The characters are fully realized in a way that truly feels like they’re being observed by a child. It was really well done, I’ll definitely read more by this author in the future.
This book does not shy away from gore and graphic descriptions of butchered human bodies and their consumption. It also offers a look at what this situation long-term would do to the brain and perspective of a child. The latter is especially true once the mother falls in love with a stray, whose status is elevated to step-parent startlingly fast. The resulting dynamic, as well as the daughter’s interactions with classmates and her school bus driver are the main focuses — all things which come to a boiling point when familial bonds are stretched too thin.
The prose is descriptive and, yes, disgusting, but it manages to stick the landing on also being poetic and, at times, beautiful. The characters are fully realized in a way that truly feels like they’re being observed by a child. It was really well done, I’ll definitely read more by this author in the future.