frankiecastanea's reviews
41 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Addiction and Animal death

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

dark emotional inspiring reflective relaxing tense 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

5.0

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

A fantastic retelling to read, but I very much wish there were TWs at the beginning of the book. The fact that it’s loosely based upon the Grimm tale should tell you that it’s going to be dark and intense, but there are definitely things I would have loved to know were included before reading so I could prepare myself, especially TW: 

bestiality and repeated mentions of the MC or other characters having their nipples sliced off, even if it didn’t *actually* happen. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Child abuse, Misogyny, Body horror, Classism, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Self harm, Confinement, Cannibalism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Murder

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

adventurous emotional funny hopeful relaxing medium-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 Binding of Bloom Mountain by Siggy Chambers

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

The River Has Teeth by Erica Waters

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante

emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0