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junejunejulyjuly's reviews
952 reviews
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
4.0
Foxglove follows on the heels of Belladonna and gives as much intrigue, but the story’s complexity loses a bit of its magic. Grace had to make room for Signa Farrow to continue her story with Death while creating a storyline for Blythe Hawthorne, now resurrected from near-death thanks to Signa’s sleuthing. Enter Fate, a contemptible character whose tapestries tied up this story for me. I still loved this book. I listened to the audiobook which has an excellent performer in Kristin Atherton (who also performed Belladonna). The mix of characters and their storylines drew the attention away from Signa and Death which I guess is where I wanted the focus to stay. Fate was interesting but also annoying. There was the murder mystery subplot which was barely attended to, and the main focus became a love triangle of sorts between Signa, Death, and his brother Fate. A very entertaining listen. I’m still totally wrapped up in the series. More paranormal elements in this book than the last & I can see where the author allowed herself the freedom to play a bit. I recommend this series for teens & adults even though it’s YA.
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*I was given an Advance Reader Copy of this audiobook by the publisher & Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
A mirthful, dark, and tricksy tale of governess Winifred Notty at her recently acquired position at Ensor House, where things are going to quickly take a turn. We soon learn that Winifred isn’t all she seems as she spoon feeds us witty, sotto voce sarcasms, that reveal a dark, and cavernous, inner mind.
Narrator Anna Burnett set the stage perfectly and instantly drew me in.
I was captivated with Winifred from the first chapter. There’s a cognitive dissonance that happens with the dark comedy that Virginia Feito masterfully weaves together, between the macabre misstatements, and the perverse and gross evil that slowly unfurls itself. It’s entirely addictive, and repulsive, and enjoyable, and hilarious in the most shameful way, all at once.
Just when I thought I had Miss Notty and the plot-line figured out - boom - no, I did not. There were a few moments that kept me on my toes!
I very much appreciated that Feito didn’t shy away from making it grimey and depraved. She captured a quality of emptiness and unpredictability in Winifred that seemed credible and horrific.
It is quite gory and I would add taboo., which will put off many readers. There are some very violent and difficult moments to read. This book isn’t going to be for everyone. I would say readers best suited for this book will have a love for irreverence and a strong stomach.
I did also find a class study here with the structure between the Pounds and those in their employ, and the larger strata of Victorian society. There’s a lot said here about how children are left behind in this division of class system, and the lingering effects that can have on one’s psyche.
Very well done. I’ll be looking for more from this author!
A mirthful, dark, and tricksy tale of governess Winifred Notty at her recently acquired position at Ensor House, where things are going to quickly take a turn. We soon learn that Winifred isn’t all she seems as she spoon feeds us witty, sotto voce sarcasms, that reveal a dark, and cavernous, inner mind.
Narrator Anna Burnett set the stage perfectly and instantly drew me in.
I was captivated with Winifred from the first chapter. There’s a cognitive dissonance that happens with the dark comedy that Virginia Feito masterfully weaves together, between the macabre misstatements, and the perverse and gross evil that slowly unfurls itself. It’s entirely addictive, and repulsive, and enjoyable, and hilarious in the most shameful way, all at once.
Just when I thought I had Miss Notty and the plot-line figured out - boom - no, I did not. There were a few moments that kept me on my toes!
I very much appreciated that Feito didn’t shy away from making it grimey and depraved. She captured a quality of emptiness and unpredictability in Winifred that seemed credible and horrific.
It is quite gory and I would add taboo., which will put off many readers. There are some very violent and difficult moments to read. This book isn’t going to be for everyone. I would say readers best suited for this book will have a love for irreverence and a strong stomach.
I did also find a class study here with the structure between the Pounds and those in their employ, and the larger strata of Victorian society. There’s a lot said here about how children are left behind in this division of class system, and the lingering effects that can have on one’s psyche.
Very well done. I’ll be looking for more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Classism
Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
The first (prequel) of Octavia Butler’s Patternist Series, Wild Seed sets the stage with multitudinous layers of meaning and threads of science fiction world-building and mythos. To me, this reads as first and foremost a neo-slave narrative. Overall, this is science-fiction, fantasy, dark romance (?), horror that could be read as a vampire novel. The study of the relationship between Doro (a vampire-like body snatcher) and Anwanyu (a shapeshifter) is broken down to the minutiae of a trauma-bonded abuser and victim relationship. While Anwanyu is most definitely her own being, in whatever form she chooses, she still falls victim to the trappings of the patriarchial societies and cultures she is placed in by Butler. Doro is an unrelentless psychopath for much of the book. Avaricious, calculating, tyrannical, and always several steps ahead of everyone he comes into contact with. He is the slave-trader, slave-owner, plantation-owner, god, and cult-leader of his breeding “projects” with almost a total and complete lack of concern for the trail of destruction he leaves in his wake. This is at times a brutal read. Butler would have it no other way, as she was not one to shy away from revealing the harshness that can exist in worlds, real or imagined. Despite all this, Butler once again delivers a unique, powerful, and visionary imagining of a world simultaneously unlike and like our own. This work reveals and exploits the harshest truths of our own world in ways that can be uncomfortable to read, yet draws the reader in to a wondrous, deep, complex and rich universe that had me unable to put this book down. Trigger warning for many taboo topics!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The intrigue held me captive for the first third of this book. What happened? What is happening? It was hard to pin down if Lewis was an unreliable narrator or if this really was something extraordinary. Is this a story of a man’s guilt haunting him, or is something unresting seeking something from him? The build of the tension is really well done. However. How many men need to write books about men killing women?! I mean, hasn’t there been enough wild fantasizing already? It’s a number one kink. I just cannot partake. Do better. Elk baby, or no.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
The Moonlight Healers by Elizabeth Becker
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
*I was given an Advance Reader Copy of this audiobook by the publisher & Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Magical, multi-generational, matriarchal tale spanning decades from war-torn France to modern day Virginia. This story primarily follows two women from a family of healers, Louise and Helene, and how they learned of their special abilities, its limits, and how healing and being healed isn’t always what you think it will - or should - be.
The narrators of this audiobook were outstanding! I was instantly captivated and drawn into the story, and it was very easy to discern which character was which in a family where it could have gotten murky if it wasn’t done with as much precision. If you like an immersive audiobook that is acted out with one or two voices this is for you!
The story was really lovely. The elements of romance were almost secondary to me, but were also a touching backdrop to the familial relationships between the female family members. The contrast between romantic developments and family drama built a really unique tension that made sense to the larger aspect of the story which I won’t give away (no spoilers!).
Overall, a highly recommended read.
There were many poignant and touching scenes.
I would have enjoyed knowing more of Helene’s story. I felt that could have been a book in itself. A whole series could have been made from each generation of healer, Elizabeth Becker did a lot of character building but I wanted more.
When listening I got the sense that Becker had experience with some aspect of healing herself and come to find the author herself was a nurse!
Magical, multi-generational, matriarchal tale spanning decades from war-torn France to modern day Virginia. This story primarily follows two women from a family of healers, Louise and Helene, and how they learned of their special abilities, its limits, and how healing and being healed isn’t always what you think it will - or should - be.
The narrators of this audiobook were outstanding! I was instantly captivated and drawn into the story, and it was very easy to discern which character was which in a family where it could have gotten murky if it wasn’t done with as much precision. If you like an immersive audiobook that is acted out with one or two voices this is for you!
The story was really lovely. The elements of romance were almost secondary to me, but were also a touching backdrop to the familial relationships between the female family members. The contrast between romantic developments and family drama built a really unique tension that made sense to the larger aspect of the story which I won’t give away (no spoilers!).
Overall, a highly recommended read.
There were many poignant and touching scenes.
I would have enjoyed knowing more of Helene’s story. I felt that could have been a book in itself. A whole series could have been made from each generation of healer, Elizabeth Becker did a lot of character building but I wanted more.
When listening I got the sense that Becker had experience with some aspect of healing herself and come to find the author herself was a nurse!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
5.0
Entirely captivating. I picked it up and as difficult as it was in moments, and there are some heartbreaking and difficult moments, I could not put it down. Butler created a world that is both entirely real and unreliable at the same time. Is Dana truly traveling back in time? Is this a modern woman from 1976 hallucinating an antebellum past or an antebellum slave forward fantasizing a future for her children’s children’s children? Is Dana a reliable narrator? Butler’s vision for a slave narrative is compelling, alarming at points, and the characters will stay with me for many years to come. I felt such loss when I put the book down for not knowing what will happen to some of them and for those that were lost to the cruelties of slavery and how it took so much from so many is such evil ways. The tension of corruption and studying the need to manage the dangers of dangerous people is depicted on such a fine edge of discomfort that is so well done. I loved it.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
4.0
This is a cleverly crafted Gothic Fantasy Romance Whodunnit. I thought I had it figured out but I did not. This book kept me engaged!! I listened to the audiobook which I highly recommend (well worth that monthly Audible credit). The FMC was a delight. And wouldn’t you know? Death fucks. Love to see it. A true Shadow Daddy through and through and one of the most tender MMCs ever. Also a sort of why choose (I guess it’s called). All the characters are so well developed, as is the world. I was taken aback as my prejudices against YA had me expecting less I suppose. True Gothic Horror vibes the likes of Du Maurier or Collins but done in a contemporary way that is also so poetic. Where’s Masterpiece Theatre when you need her? I loved it! I’ve recommended it to everyone who would listen to me rant about it. I’m excited to read Foxglove.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
4.0
I picked this up reluctantly, convinced I wasn’t going to like it, but coerced by people who have shared tastes. I started the first 3/4 listening to the audiobook and maybe that’s what grabbed me, but this started out really strong! Very entertaining and enjoyable. I loved the world building, political intrigue, and the character building was pretty good. Then Libby, that fickle bitch, snatched the audiobook from me and it was another 13 week wait so I switched to reading so perhaps that’s to blame BUT you’re going to tell me that the most powerful dragon and the little golden one picked a character that would tell Xaden Riorson or whoever that she loves him after he said don’t fall for me? I almost DNF’d. Girl, no. Then she says she loves him on the parapet?! Say it isn’t so. I was embarrassed for her. Talk about an author dumbing down their FMC. Then everything went Electric Wizard airbrushed 80s van mural in the last 5 chapters. Huh what? And then the cliffhanger! And he says he won’t lie ever again LOL. This is unhinged. Anyways, I still got the second book because now I need to know how deep this hole gets dug. I know Violence is only Violence in the streets and a Tradwife in the sheets, so it’s just like dragon propaganda but whatever. Waterstones paperback here we come.