Scan barcode
kadbee's reviews
26 reviews
Dead Animals by Phoebe Stuckes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton + NetGalley for the ARC.
The cover and description of this book drew me in and the mysterious hauntings and narrator kept me hooked. A queer relationship with even queerer happenings was intriguing to read.
I wish the book was longer to see more development or aftermath of thetoxic relationship between our narrator and Helene,as unfortunately for me the final two chapters feel rushed, not as fleshed out as they could have been. The build up is slow and intense, the quick sudden ending leaves an unsatisfying taste in ones mouth.
Other than that I really enjoyed this, the narrator is a really well written, interesting character with obvious flaws and weaknesses that add to her identity, which may be overlooked if written by someone else. .
The cover and description of this book drew me in and the mysterious hauntings and narrator kept me hooked. A queer relationship with even queerer happenings was intriguing to read.
I wish the book was longer to see more development or aftermath of the
Other than that I really enjoyed this, the narrator is a really well written, interesting character with obvious flaws and weaknesses that add to her identity, which may be overlooked if written by someone else. .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Violence
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
An okay premise however I believe that as this is a series, that each short story could have done with more development which could have been its own book. The stories are short and sweet, but have very little development or memorability. Could have been done better in a different media format, such as series/episodes.
A distinct set of rules about the time-travel could have also been made, rather than the seemingly ever-changing rules that change on whim.
Very sweet and easy read if looking for something reflective and emotionally driven.
A distinct set of rules about the time-travel could have also been made, rather than the seemingly ever-changing rules that change on whim.
Very sweet and easy read if looking for something reflective and emotionally driven.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
dark
reflective
slow-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? No
1.0
I read this a few months ago. I don't remember any part of this book other than not enjoying it and being happy I had finished the 'main' part of the franchise.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
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? It's complicated
1.5
A slight improvement in language when compared to the first book. Still feels as if it is written by/for children however.
This book reads like a fanfiction with a slight bit more polish, instead of being a continuous first draft there may have been two or three (not enough to get rid of inconsistencies and a rare spelling mistake).
More sexualization than the first book, however it is not enjoyable to read, the characters have no chemistry and seem uncomfortable, which made me uncomfortable.
The characters are revisioned to the point of being completely different characters, as well as Feyre being stupidly over-powered and still not having any personality other than 'sex object' and 'needs protecting'.
Villian was more compelling but didn't feel as powerful as the first villian, so there is no growth in the threat other than being told that theres a growing threat.
This book reads like a fanfiction with a slight bit more polish, instead of being a continuous first draft there may have been two or three (not enough to get rid of inconsistencies and a rare spelling mistake).
More sexualization than the first book, however it is not enjoyable to read, the characters have no chemistry and seem uncomfortable, which made me uncomfortable.
The characters are revisioned to the point of being completely different characters, as well as Feyre being stupidly over-powered and still not having any personality other than 'sex object' and 'needs protecting'.
Villian was more compelling but didn't feel as powerful as the first villian, so there is no growth in the threat other than being told that theres a growing threat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Toxic relationship
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
The Friend is in a difficult spot for me, as I don't know if I enjoyed it or not. The writing captures the grief and loss of a friendship beautifully and with wit, however I cannot bring myself to like the characters.
The friend who has passed is characterised as being a serial cheater and a person who takes avantage of unequal power dynamics to have sex with his students. There is a lot of sequences in this book which make this friend out to be a rather immoral person who just happened to leave his dog with a supposed friend (or questioned ex-admirer). The idea that his suicide was spurred on by the fact younger women did not find him attractive enough or that his womanizing was not brought into question by the writer makes it feel as if his actions were not important or were easily forgiven, in a post me-too era this does not feel right.
The chapters with Apollo are the best in the book, they're engaging and relate to the blurb (the reason I bought this book) and deal less with the implication that writing is a tedious, sisyphean task (which is compared to human trafficking at one point). If I was told that the book would be extensively about the act of authorship I may have not bought it. I am not well versed in classic literature so many of the quotations littered throughout the book weren't as impactful as they should have been. I could have done with less about the man who was attracted to his dog.
I think this book was just a bit disappointing, I enjoy the message and the ending, however large chunks of this I could have done without.
The friend who has passed is characterised as being a serial cheater and a person who takes avantage of unequal power dynamics to have sex with his students. There is a lot of sequences in this book which make this friend out to be a rather immoral person who just happened to leave his dog with a supposed friend (or questioned ex-admirer). The idea that his suicide was spurred on by the fact younger women did not find him attractive enough or that his womanizing was not brought into question by the writer makes it feel as if his actions were not important or were easily forgiven, in a post me-too era this does not feel right.
The chapters with Apollo are the best in the book, they're engaging and relate to the blurb (the reason I bought this book) and deal less with the implication that writing is a tedious, sisyphean task (which is compared to human trafficking at one point). If I was told that the book would be extensively about the act of authorship I may have not bought it. I am not well versed in classic literature so many of the quotations littered throughout the book weren't as impactful as they should have been. I could have done with less about the man who was attracted to his dog.
I think this book was just a bit disappointing, I enjoy the message and the ending, however large chunks of this I could have done without.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
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? No
1.25
I have been aware of Maas's work for a while but have never brought myself to read it, until now, if this is the book that has gripped Insta and BookTok I worry about the literacy rate of the current generation.
The writing is okay, there are inconsistencies scattered throughout this book mere pages apart, the editing on this could have been better. I personally believe Maas has underestimated the reading comprehension of teenagers/young adults as the language is very plain.
The characters could have had more development or personality, other than 'love-interest no.1 and no.2' and 'female'.
SpoilerThe attempted rape of Feyre is not taken seriously, it is shown as a romantic, sexually thrilling event. Feyre is treated like a sex object numerous times in this book, by Rhysland and Tamlin, and readers are expected to forgive/ignore this as it was 'thrilling' or 'hot'. Absolutely terrible way to approach sexual assault when writing for teenagers.
The villian doesn't feel very important. She feels like a stepping stone for the sequel, whilst also having generic mary-sue powers that can be beaten by a riddle. SpoilerHaving 'love' as the answer fits in this the Beauty and The Beast theme, however it still feels cliche. (Did Feyre not love Tamlin in this book? Why'd it take so long to figure out?)
It isn't widely spoken about but this series is popular for being softcore faerie smut, BookTok is crazy about this, and it is a disappointment whenever I realise that it is only popular because of sex scenes.
The writing is okay, there are inconsistencies scattered throughout this book mere pages apart, the editing on this could have been better. I personally believe Maas has underestimated the reading comprehension of teenagers/young adults as the language is very plain.
The characters could have had more development or personality, other than 'love-interest no.1 and no.2' and 'female'.
SpoilerThe attempted rape of Feyre is not taken seriously, it is shown as a romantic, sexually thrilling event. Feyre is treated like a sex object numerous times in this book, by Rhysland and Tamlin, and readers are expected to forgive/ignore this as it was 'thrilling' or 'hot'. Absolutely terrible way to approach sexual assault when writing for teenagers.
The villian doesn't feel very important. She feels like a stepping stone for the sequel, whilst also having generic mary-sue powers that can be beaten by a riddle. SpoilerHaving 'love' as the answer fits in this the Beauty and The Beast theme, however it still feels cliche. (Did Feyre not love Tamlin in this book? Why'd it take so long to figure out?)
It isn't widely spoken about but this series is popular for being softcore faerie smut, BookTok is crazy about this, and it is a disappointment whenever I realise that it is only popular because of sex scenes.
More...