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hellokatya's reviews
164 reviews
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this book was very good, but left me a bit underwhelmed.
the plot was very good, twisted at just the right points, and the big reveal definitely caught me off guard - i hadn’t even considered the possibility.
i thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, she has a way of drawing you in with her ability to contort words to feel what you want her to.
i only have two issues:
1. i wish she would’ve done more with the unreliable narrator aspect. she never felt unreliable because she was fully lucid and able to decipher what was going on around her - the only area she lacked was when she didn’t have information because of outside sources, not because of herself and a limited view. she really could’ve played much more into the fact that she hadn’t been sleeping, was slowly going mad from all her unanswered questions, and that everyone around her seemed to think she was at fault.
2. the ending was a happy ending, wrapped up in a bow, but it felt very underwhelming. did he murder allison? we only got isabelle’s opinion and the answers she came to by herself, never any real confirmation. was she actually reunited with mason? or was her walking into his room a nod to her facing her fears and her reality? how did she manage to get ben sent to prison? the detective for so long thought she had killed mason - just didn’t have proof - so in what world would he just let her off so easy? i understand the aspect of it being full circle from her mother and the chief, but it just isn’t viable to me.
3. i thought the unraveling of the plot and how long was spent on each plot point could definitely use some work. i felt a lot of time was spent on less important aspects of the story, and more important ones were rushed through.
overall, i think this book is definitely worth the read, and i will be recommending it, it just was not what i had hoped for.
the plot was very good, twisted at just the right points, and the big reveal definitely caught me off guard - i hadn’t even considered the possibility.
i thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, she has a way of drawing you in with her ability to contort words to feel what you want her to.
i only have two issues:
1.
2.
3. i thought the unraveling of the plot and how long was spent on each plot point could definitely use some work. i felt a lot of time was spent on less important aspects of the story, and more important ones were rushed through.
overall, i think this book is definitely worth the read, and i will be recommending it, it just was not what i had hoped for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
the format irked me and writing style made it difficult to digest - had to reread over and over and just found myself skimming passages to get to anything relevant to the story
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
this book was not what i had expected going in, but i’m glad i went in mostly blind.
it reminds me a lot of “imaginary friend” by stephen chbosky” and it was phenomenal.
the writing was informal, but not in an amateur way, it felt very personal. the characters were very three dimensional and felt like real people.
at times i felt it was a little over the top with anya, but overall i really enjoyed this book and Will be recommending it!
it reminds me a lot of “imaginary friend” by stephen chbosky” and it was phenomenal.
the writing was informal, but not in an amateur way, it felt very personal. the characters were very three dimensional and felt like real people.
at times i felt it was a little over the top with anya, but overall i really enjoyed this book and Will be recommending it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Minor: Confinement and Infertility
Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
i went into this books with really high hopes… came out the other side very disappointed.
now let me be clear, this book absolutely wasn’t made for my tastes, so take my feelings with a grain of salt.
now let me be clear, this book absolutely wasn’t made for my tastes, so take my feelings with a grain of salt.
- the writing was fantastic — claire fuller creates a beautiful atmosphere and is incredible at description and making words come to life; i just wasn’t looking for that in a book. i found myself skimming passages and having to re-read a few times to understand what was happening
- the writing style took quite a while to get used to. it reads a little odd - i’m not sure what it is - and it took me out of the immersion. it was a chore for a while to try and figure out what was being portrayed
- i rarely wanted to pick it back up once i’d put it down — the only thing that kept me going was hoping the ending would suffice, but it kind of just went flat. i wasn’t impressed and felt there was a lot that could’ve been explored further.
- the ending felt very rushed and more closing down than finishing up a story
i would recommend for anyone who enjoys thorough atmosphere and imagery, with a taste for slow burns. this just wasn’t my kind of book, but i’m sure other people would love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Minor: Pregnancy
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i’m really unsure how i feel about this book.
i really, really, enjoyed the ending. i think it really solidified this book, but i do have a few issues:
1. it was a bit hard to pick up again once i had put it down. during the read it was interesting enough to keep going, but it was hard to get the motivation again once i had stopped.
2. the story didn’t really pick up until the 30% mark and the main plot themes weren’t fully developed until around the 40% mark — all the backstory from the blurb had already been put out so why did it take so long for any development to begin?
3. why is a 28 year old regressing to her teenaged cattiness?
4.i dont like how much time was spent on the asylum being an integral part of the story, just for it to fall flat and be a minuscule (in the grand scheme) detail. where did the women go? why would they have just thrown the scissors into the lake (or left them in the asylum) if lottie’s family cared so deeply about the history of it? why was helmut never reunited with his sister?
5. in ch. 36: “maybe the only way to free myself from the grip of guilt is to learn the truth.” — why was this framed as some epiphany? this had been the goal from the very beginning of the book.
6. the girls, natalie and allison + sasha and krystal, are only given a few defining character traits and never really explored or developed beyond that - though their very existence is integral to the overall plot. (with natalie and allison i suppose it serves a greater purpose [?] )
overall: i think this book makes for a good binge read if you’re willing to stick it out for a pretty damn satisfying ending.
i really, really, enjoyed the ending. i think it really solidified this book, but i do have a few issues:
1. it was a bit hard to pick up again once i had put it down. during the read it was interesting enough to keep going, but it was hard to get the motivation again once i had stopped.
2. the story didn’t really pick up until the 30% mark and the main plot themes weren’t fully developed until around the 40% mark — all the backstory from the blurb had already been put out so why did it take so long for any development to begin?
3. why is a 28 year old regressing to her teenaged cattiness?
4.
5. in ch. 36: “maybe the only way to free myself from the grip of guilt is to learn the truth.” — why was this framed as some epiphany? this had been the goal from the very beginning of the book.
6. the girls, natalie and allison + sasha and krystal, are only given a few defining character traits and never really explored or developed beyond that - though their very existence is integral to the overall plot. (with natalie and allison i suppose it serves a greater purpose [?] )
overall: i think this book makes for a good binge read if you’re willing to stick it out for a pretty damn satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, and Car accident
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
2.75
i really wanted to like this book more than i did, but it was such a chore to get through.
the writing is immaculate; watson’s ability to put emotions into words is truly incredible, but it just took a lot to push through the entirety.
from the very moment it was revealed she was attacked, not hit by a car, i knew immediately that’s who she was staying with, and that the man with the scar was her actual husband. granted - i dont always think it’s a bad thing to have a well crafted story with good hints, it just felt very obvious.
it was extremely difficult to get past the constant descriptions of her waking up confused - could’ve been spared more times.
overall, if you’re interested in a slower burn and wanting to have a lighter read, this book would be perfect; i however won’t be recommending this to anyone
the writing is immaculate; watson’s ability to put emotions into words is truly incredible, but it just took a lot to push through the entirety.
it was extremely difficult to get past the constant descriptions of her waking up confused - could’ve been spared more times.
overall, if you’re interested in a slower burn and wanting to have a lighter read, this book would be perfect; i however won’t be recommending this to anyone
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Car accident
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i would really rate this book a 4.99 — purely because i wish there would’ve been more done with the car chase / lawsuit BUT:
i absolutely loved this book. while at times i got confused and mixed up with the multiple timelines, it really kept me engaged and wanting more! one of those books that you keep allowing yourself “one more chapter” to. i stayed up way too late devouring it and needing more. will most definitely be looking into more of her books and will absolutely peer pressure every reader i know to pick this one up. please read it.
the characters were far from flat, they truly came to life and jumped off the pages.
the pacing was executed perfectly.
the quality of the book itself was so nice and comfortable.
READ THIS BOOK.
i absolutely loved this book. while at times i got confused and mixed up with the multiple timelines, it really kept me engaged and wanting more! one of those books that you keep allowing yourself “one more chapter” to. i stayed up way too late devouring it and needing more. will most definitely be looking into more of her books and will absolutely peer pressure every reader i know to pick this one up. please read it.
the characters were far from flat, they truly came to life and jumped off the pages.
the pacing was executed perfectly.
the quality of the book itself was so nice and comfortable.
READ THIS BOOK.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Infidelity, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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
4.75
i really liked this book.
the writing takes a bit to get used to, it’s very choppy, but it’s a good one.
it’s pretty slow until almost halfway through, then it picks up quite a bit. i really enjoyed the story, liked the way the characters were written (i enjoy the notion of not knowing whether i like or trust characters), and god damn did the last 10ish chapters have me crying. highly encourage everyone to pick up this book and give it a read.
the writing takes a bit to get used to, it’s very choppy, but it’s a good one.
it’s pretty slow until almost halfway through, then it picks up quite a bit. i really enjoyed the story, liked the way the characters were written (i enjoy the notion of not knowing whether i like or trust characters), and god damn did the last 10ish chapters have me crying. highly encourage everyone to pick up this book and give it a read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Kidnapping
The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
wow.
i really loved this book.
from the second i picked it up, it was hard to put down.
the author wrote beautifully, and i can only imagine how much better it was in original text.
if you paid enough attention, the plot fell together perfectly, but if it was more of a light read the big plot moments would have been truly insane to watch unfold.
amazing imagery and description. characters felt real and raw. emotion was conveyed so heavily and executed to perfection. this is definitely in my list of all time favs.
absolutely going to read her next book. anne mette hancock, i love you.
i really loved this book.
from the second i picked it up, it was hard to put down.
the author wrote beautifully, and i can only imagine how much better it was in original text.
if you paid enough attention, the plot fell together perfectly, but if it was more of a light read the big plot moments would have been truly insane to watch unfold.
amazing imagery and description. characters felt real and raw. emotion was conveyed so heavily and executed to perfection. this is definitely in my list of all time favs.
absolutely going to read her next book. anne mette hancock, i love you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Suicide, and Classism
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
i got 40 pages in and just couldn’t do the catty mean girl behaviors. none of them seem to have aged past 13 and i couldn’t stand it. no redeeming qualities, maybe this book has a good story, but i’m not sticking around for it :(