ivi_reads_books's reviews
345 reviews

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

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mysterious 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? N/A

3.25

Going into First Lie Wins, I expected a tense cat-and-mouse game—where the mark would slowly uncover the con and turn out to be just as questionable as the protagonist. But the story took a different direction, which, unfortunately, didn’t hold my interest as much. While the premise was intriguing, the shift in focus left me feeling disconnected from the stakes. 

It had potential for a gripping, twisty thriller, but once it veered off the expected path, it lost some of its momentum for me. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with unexpected turns, this might still work for you—but I found myself wishing for a bit more tension and intrigue. 
We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

At first, the structure of We Could Be Rats felt unusual—getting to know the characters through a series of suicide letters written by one sister. But this format turned out to be one of the book’s greatest strengths, offering a raw, unfiltered look into the sisters’ relationship and the environment that shaped them. As the non-suicidal sister reads each letter, the reader slowly pieces together the depth of her sister’s despair, unraveling a heartbreaking but deeply human story. 

This book is sad but real, exploring themes of mental health, family bonds, and the difficulty of truly understanding someone else’s pain. The unconventional storytelling made it all the more compelling, creating an intimate and emotional reading experience. If you’re looking for something deeply affecting and uniquely structured, this one is worth picking up.
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Rooms for Vanishing by Stuart Nadler

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dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Rooms for Vanishing is a poignant meditation on grief, memory, and the lingering presence of those we've lost. Told through the perspectives of multiple family members, the novel follows a Jewish family fractured by the Holocaust, exploring both their real lives and the imagined paths of those who never got the chance to live them. The result is a deeply reflective and melancholic narrative—one that blurs the line between reality and memory, past and present. 

The writing is slow and deliberate, allowing the weight of loss to sink in. There’s an element of magical realism in how the dead remain intertwined with the living, a quiet but powerful reminder that grief doesn’t end—it simply changes shape. This is not a book of dramatic twists or grand revelations, but rather a deeply human story about what it means to carry absence. 

If you’ve ever found yourself talking to someone who’s no longer there, imagining what their life might have been, this book will resonate. Rooms for Vanishing isn’t an easy read, but it’s one that lingers, long after the final page. 

Thanks to Dutton for the advance review copy!
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The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

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adventurous challenging reflective 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? N/A

3.5

The Light Pirate is a haunting and deeply unsettling look at a future shaped by climate disaster. Less of a sci-fi novel and more of a quiet, literary reflection, it follows Wanda, born during a hurricane in a crumbling Florida, as she grows up in an increasingly unrecognizable world. The book leans heavily into themes of survival, resilience, and adaptation, with characters who persist despite overwhelming loss. 

There’s little room for grief here—when disaster is constant, mourning is a luxury. Instead, the novel captures the stark reality of what it means to endure: preppers who understand science, makeshift communities forming in the ruins, and a future where survival depends on relentless pragmatism. Found family plays a crucial role, though hope remains scarce. The sci-fi elements are subtle, almost an afterthought, but the real horror lies in how plausible this future feels. 

Bleak, beautifully written, and thought-provoking—this is a book that lingers long after the final page. If you’re looking for a hopeful, uplifting take on climate fiction, this isn’t it. But if you want a novel that stares unflinchingly at what might be coming, The Light Pirate is a chilling, unforgettable read. 
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The Wind on Her Tongue: A Novel by Anita Kopacz

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
The writing didn't flow and didn't pull me in
The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji

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

3.25

The Persians is a multigenerational story that offers a glimpse into the lives of Iranian and Iranian American women. 

At first, the characters felt almost like caricatures with their over-the-top behavior, but as the story progressed, their actions became a little more grounded—though some choices remained puzzling. What truly made this book stand out for me was the multiple POVs from women across different generations, shedding light on how history, culture, and politics have shaped their lives.

 A fascinating read that taught me more about Iranian heritage and identity. 

Thanks to Scribner for the gifted copy.
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Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Black Woods, Blue Sky is a hauntingly beautiful novel that blends magical realism with the stark realities of life in Alaska. It captures both the breathtaking beauty and the unforgiving dangers of the wilderness while telling a deeply emotional story about seeking freedom, growing up with little financial means, and the weight of family struggles. 

Spooky, heartbreaking, and atmospheric—this book lingers long after the final page.

Check the trigger warnings if you don't like reading about certain themes.
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woke up no light: poems by Leila Mottley

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

4.25

Woke Up No Light is a raw, unflinching poetry collection that holds up a mirror to society’s injustices. Told from a young adult perspective, the book carries a deep sense of outrage—both in its storytelling and in the way it exposes systemic failures.

Motley’s writing is visceral and haunting, immersing readers in a world that is both heartbreaking and painfully real. It’s a story of survival, resilience, and the harsh realities faced by those society often overlooks. 
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The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

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dark emotional hopeful sad 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? N/A

4.5

The Girl with the Louding Voice surprised me in the best way. I expected an unstoppable, larger-than-life heroine, but instead, I found something even more powerful—a young girl who discovers her voice despite a world that constantly tries to silence her.

Adunni's journey is compelling, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful as she finds confidence and refuses to accept the limitations placed on her. Along the way, I learned so much about Nigeria, its culture, and the stark class divide. A beautifully written, thought-provoking read. 
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Behooved by M. Stevenson

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

Behooved by M. Stevenson is a refreshingly different fantasy—no grand battles or overpowering magic, but an intimate, character-driven story rich with political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and thoughtful world-building.

The female main character suffers from an unnamed but recognizable celiac disease, which is misunderstood in her world and seen as a sign of weakness. Despite this, she remains fiercely dedicated to her family and her seemingly more "advanced" nation. Meanwhile, the male main character is a bookish, science-minded intellectual from a country more in tune with nature, highlighting the stark contrast between their homelands. Their romance builds gradually, woven into a story of duty and personal strength.

With a mix of quiet tension, steamy moments, plenty of riding, and a deep exploration of resilience, Behooved is a compelling fantasy worth picking up.

Thanks to Bramble for the digital advance review copy! 
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