jessplayin's reviews
429 reviews

Trust by Hernán Díaz

challenging reflective

5.0

Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

Parts 1 and 2 are great but 3 falters and brings it down as a whole. Re familiarize yourself with the other books as this is very much a companion piece

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism

Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A

Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.0

Suffers from being a bit too long and Control not being a very engaging character 

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

"That's how the madness of the world tries to colonize you: from the outside in, forcing you to live in its reality"

An incredible sci-fi tale that takes a look at mortality, ecology, and humans marks on the world around them. Amazing parallels between how we invade areas and a monstrous unknown that does the same. Excited for the trilogy.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

medium-paced

3.0

Jaws by Peter Benchley

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

0.5

Truly hated this. What a great film made from such a waste of time. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault

Moderate: Misogyny, Racism

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

A really unique and engaging book that delves into the nuances of generational trauma through a family struggling to cope with the loss of their mother...who just happens to be created from a bog. While I think structurally some pacing changes would have helped and the ending could've been tighter the Bog Wife was so enthralling to me. I kept returning to the Haddesleys world and wanting to get off work faster so I could read it. Will definitely be picking up Chronisters other work. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Misogyny, Pregnancy

Minor: Grief, Abandonment

Received copy as ARC

Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert

slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No

2.0

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3.0