inneraman's reviews
10 reviews

The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

As mentioned by Kei Miller, “You dip into the first page and don’t come up for breath until the last…thoroughly enjoyable” and I would add brilliantly written

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Murder

Moderate: Pregnancy

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Violence, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Rape, and Blood

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad medium-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? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Murder

Moderate: Dementia, Grief, Death, Drug use, and Gun violence

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is dark and mysterious. It will make you reflect on the actions of the characters, a lot. I found myself trying to find way to ‘root for’ the main character but through some of their actions, I couldn’t decide. The main character is broken, flawed and emotionally unstable because of her upbringing and her toxic mother/environment. I found the book engaging and well written. I will be reading other books by Gillian Flynn. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a mysterious and dark story with troublesome characters who are beyond help. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child death, Drug abuse, Murder, Addiction, Body horror, Death, Bullying, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Self harm

Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Blood, Eating disorder, Misogyny, and Rape

Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Animal cruelty, and Pregnancy

World of Lost Souls by Jasmine Sidhu

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

I loved the storyline and characters. The story line is unique, with some parts reminding me of The Host by Stephenie Myers. But the characters and how they related to one another with the overall plot is something I’ve never read before. I also loved that the main character was a poc. That is something that’s truly missing from fantasy novels. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and young adults. I give this book a rating of 5 for reasons above and because it deserves more attention! 

Soldier Boy by Keely Hutton

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is a beautiful book to read. It is a dark story about a child solider but as you read you are filled with hope. It also gives lots of insight to the obstacles and trauma child soldiers face. It’s not a light read, I had to put the book down many times because of the graphic details. Despite that, I would still recommend this book, it is beautifully written and has one of the best storylines. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, War, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Physical abuse

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

3.5

I enjoyed reading the first half of this book but the second half was slow and long. I didn’t understand where the book was going and it felt like I was waiting for something to happen, but it never came. There were also parts in the second half that didn’t make sense why they were written and I would have preferred more story line in the second half, than random ‘fictitious’ characters/stories. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Ableism, Gun violence, Chronic illness, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Miscarriage, and Grief

Minor: Cancer

A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe

emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved that the main character was flawed and the book never once sugarcoated those flaws. But showcased how the main character works through these flaws throughout their life. Made big moments in the book feel real and special. 

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

This is a wonderful book! One of my favourite authors, very well written and thought out! Just what I needed to start reading this year!

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This is a fantastic book. It is inspiring and a real tearjerker.