kairhone's reviews
281 reviews

Daddy Boy by Emerson Whitney

emotional reflective fast-paced

2.75

I really loved Emerson's book Heaven...it was a 5 star for me last year. This one, however, is not cohesive and because of that it doesn't make an emotional impact. I love the parts about Hank and Emerson's real love for his adoptive father. The themes of masculinity, relinquishing control, desiring self destruction are never really fleshed out because most of the narrative hops around so quickly that I couldn't properly grasp anything. I had high hopes for this because I truly think Emerson is a talented writer, but it did not land for me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Self harm

Darkly: Black History and America's Gothic Soul by Leila Taylor

challenging dark informative sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Violence

Moderate: Body horror, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

dark emotional 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual violence

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Devorgilla Days by Kathleen Hart

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Death and Mental illness

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

It was sort of a non-book. Not terribly original or impactful but it was cozy and a good "palate cleanser."

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma

A City of Bells: The Cathedral Trilogy by Elizabeth Goudge

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

Beautiful writing generally and a heartwarming premise, but it really slowed down in some parts where the descriptions were especially florid and long. 

Table Two by Marjorie Wilenski

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? Yes

3.75

Where Stands a Winged Sentry by

emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and War

The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing

challenging hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and War

Minor: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship