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katherineshawwrites's reviews
78 reviews
Sloth by Hayley Anderton
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I’ve read a couple of Hayley’s books before this one, and I must say this is my favourite so far! In a relatively small number of pages, she manages to create a rich and bleak dystopian world which feels unbearably real, and the shifting points of view help to give an excellent overview of all the different elements of it. Within only a few chapters I felt like I knew the setting and the cast of characters very well.
I found the story gripping and whizzed through it in just a couple of days. The characters were all very interesting, although my one small criticism is that the main female characters have very similar voices, so it feels like it would be hard to tell them apart if they weren’t under such different circumstances.
Although this is a short book, it’s a great read, and I will definitely be picking up the next one!
I found the story gripping and whizzed through it in just a couple of days. The characters were all very interesting, although my one small criticism is that the main female characters have very similar voices, so it feels like it would be hard to tell them apart if they weren’t under such different circumstances.
Although this is a short book, it’s a great read, and I will definitely be picking up the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Suicide, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment
The Fall That Saved Us by Tamara Jerée
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable and addictive story of healing, self-discovery, lust and love. This isn’t a shallow spicy paranormal romance, but is instead a deep exploration of escaping abuse and untangling the emotional baggage that comes with that. I’m sure anyone with religious and/or family trauma can relate to Cassiel’s journey.
Avitue and Cass’ romance is a whirlwind, and while some might say it’s unbelievable that they’d be so devoted so soon, I thought it felt right for who the two of them are, and what they needed and found with each other. I enjoyed seeing Cass shed the shame and punishment she had grown up with, and I felt myself getting emotional in places as this poor broken girl finally healed. I’m not sure Avitue would be MY cup of tea, but seeing them both develop together made me happy.
I was a little surprised by how quick and easy the story seemed to wrap up towards the end, and I kept expecting a big final upset that never really happened, so I was left wanting a little bit more. I know there will be a sequel, so it makes sense there’s space left for higher stakes and greater tension. I would definitely be interested in picking up the next book and seeing what happens next.
Avitue and Cass’ romance is a whirlwind, and while some might say it’s unbelievable that they’d be so devoted so soon, I thought it felt right for who the two of them are, and what they needed and found with each other. I enjoyed seeing Cass shed the shame and punishment she had grown up with, and I felt myself getting emotional in places as this poor broken girl finally healed. I’m not sure Avitue would be MY cup of tea, but seeing them both develop together made me happy.
I was a little surprised by how quick and easy the story seemed to wrap up towards the end, and I kept expecting a big final upset that never really happened, so I was left wanting a little bit more. I know there will be a sequel, so it makes sense there’s space left for higher stakes and greater tension. I would definitely be interested in picking up the next book and seeing what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm
Minor: Death
Shattered Lines: Grimstone 1 by Sebrina Eden
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Well, we were promised a cliffhanger, and it is a beast!
There’s a lot packed into this short book: action, mystery, magic, and an array of complicated relationships. The lore feels very new and original to me, even though it is shrouded in mystery from the start, and I feel even more will be revealed in the next book.
I really liked the cast of characters, and it was interesting to see the history between them all and how that shaped their interactions today.
I will say the story gets a little confusing at times, as the characters all know a lot more about what’s happening than the reader. I’m comfortable with a bit of mystery, but there were times where I wish a little more was explained.
I’m intrigued to see how the events of this book unfold in the sequel, so I will continue to follow the series!
There’s a lot packed into this short book: action, mystery, magic, and an array of complicated relationships. The lore feels very new and original to me, even though it is shrouded in mystery from the start, and I feel even more will be revealed in the next book.
I really liked the cast of characters, and it was interesting to see the history between them all and how that shaped their interactions today.
I will say the story gets a little confusing at times, as the characters all know a lot more about what’s happening than the reader. I’m comfortable with a bit of mystery, but there were times where I wish a little more was explained.
I’m intrigued to see how the events of this book unfold in the sequel, so I will continue to follow the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Blood
Minor: Kidnapping, Car accident
Artifice & Access: A Disability in Fantasy Anthology by Ella T. Holmes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
It is difficult to pull together a collection of stories and have every single one stick the landing, but Artifice and Access pulls it off! Each author interprets the theme in a very different way, but each story packs a punch, delivering terrific fantasy narratives alongside insight into a variety of disabilities.
Maybe it’s because I’m disabled myself, but I found myself highlighting poignant lines in almost every story. There is so much said around the disabled experience within the book, it’s really quite incredible.
This book is perfect for any fans of fantasy, but if you have experience of disability you will also find it relatable, empowering and heartwarming in equal measure.
Maybe it’s because I’m disabled myself, but I found myself highlighting poignant lines in almost every story. There is so much said around the disabled experience within the book, it’s really quite incredible.
This book is perfect for any fans of fantasy, but if you have experience of disability you will also find it relatable, empowering and heartwarming in equal measure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Cancer, Death
The Crows by C.M. Rosens
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It’s weird, it’s dark, it’s gross… and I loved it.
I’m a fan of weird, gothic horror and this book delivered! I’m hesitant to give too much away, because the mystery is most of the fun, but with The Crows, C M Rosens has taken some classic elements of a paranormal small town story and created something fresh, interesting and utterly addictive.
How they managed to make me fall in love with a grimy, eldritch weirdo like Ricky Porter is beyond me, but I absolutely loved the friendship that built up between him and Carrie as the story went on, and I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up at the end.
I will definitely continue reading this series!
I’m a fan of weird, gothic horror and this book delivered! I’m hesitant to give too much away, because the mystery is most of the fun, but with The Crows, C M Rosens has taken some classic elements of a paranormal small town story and created something fresh, interesting and utterly addictive.
How they managed to make me fall in love with a grimy, eldritch weirdo like Ricky Porter is beyond me, but I absolutely loved the friendship that built up between him and Carrie as the story went on, and I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up at the end.
I will definitely continue reading this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest, Fire/Fire injury
A Promise of Return by Rebecca Crunden
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I’m so glad to have finally dipped back into this series!
It was truly fascinating to finally see Thom’s story and dip into his POV, and god was it heartbreaking. I loved his whole adventure, the new characters we met and the tension that ramped up with each chapter.
Watching Thom change as a result of what happens to him was both interesting and heart-wrenching to read, and it all felt very real and genuine. I found myself talking to people about what we might do in his situation, which I always think is a sign of a good plot point.
I think the way the book interwove with the previous one but in a different POV wasn’t as impactful as it could’ve been for me because I’d left it too long between books and had forgotten some details - but that’s entirely on me!
I will say that the most gripping part of the story is the middle, and the ending feels a little bit flat in comparison, but I’m still in love with these characters and this series, and so I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
It was truly fascinating to finally see Thom’s story and dip into his POV, and god was it heartbreaking. I loved his whole adventure, the new characters we met and the tension that ramped up with each chapter.
Watching Thom change as a result of what happens to him was both interesting and heart-wrenching to read, and it all felt very real and genuine. I found myself talking to people about what we might do in his situation, which I always think is a sign of a good plot point.
I think the way the book interwove with the previous one but in a different POV wasn’t as impactful as it could’ve been for me because I’d left it too long between books and had forgotten some details - but that’s entirely on me!
I will say that the most gripping part of the story is the middle, and the ending feels a little bit flat in comparison, but I’m still in love with these characters and this series, and so I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I wasn't sure if Babel would live up to the hype it received when it first hit the reading community, but my goodness, it does.
If you're going into Babel expecting a high fantasy dark academia story, you're going to be disappointed, but if you go in with an open mind, you'll get a fascinating, powerful and tragic take on the magic of languages, alongside the horror and injustice of colonialism and racism.
With this story, R F Kuang delivers a gripping and moving narrative that's steeped in history, and her academic experience in language really shines through not only within the plot itself, but in all the wonderfully crafted notes that accompany the text. It gives the book an academic rigour you rarely see in fiction whilst never losing sight of the story.
Some of the hard-hitting commentary around the British Empire (and similar colonial nations) and its amoral actions can be tough to swallow, but isn't that the point? R F Kuang pulls no punches, and I love her for that. The characters show us through their own lenses, backgrounds and personal storylines what atrocities have been committed in the name of imperialism, economic growth and capitalistic greed, and right now I think we all need to be reminded of that.
Despite its academic nature, the book is full of twists and turns, a great deal of tension, and rising stakes right until the very end, and I was flying through the final pages to see how it would all end for Robin. R F Kuang's writing is superb throughout, and I would highly recommend this to anyone unafraid of some hard truths and powerful storytelling.
If you're going into Babel expecting a high fantasy dark academia story, you're going to be disappointed, but if you go in with an open mind, you'll get a fascinating, powerful and tragic take on the magic of languages, alongside the horror and injustice of colonialism and racism.
With this story, R F Kuang delivers a gripping and moving narrative that's steeped in history, and her academic experience in language really shines through not only within the plot itself, but in all the wonderfully crafted notes that accompany the text. It gives the book an academic rigour you rarely see in fiction whilst never losing sight of the story.
Some of the hard-hitting commentary around the British Empire (and similar colonial nations) and its amoral actions can be tough to swallow, but isn't that the point? R F Kuang pulls no punches, and I love her for that. The characters show us through their own lenses, backgrounds and personal storylines what atrocities have been committed in the name of imperialism, economic growth and capitalistic greed, and right now I think we all need to be reminded of that.
Despite its academic nature, the book is full of twists and turns, a great deal of tension, and rising stakes right until the very end, and I was flying through the final pages to see how it would all end for Robin. R F Kuang's writing is superb throughout, and I would highly recommend this to anyone unafraid of some hard truths and powerful storytelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Yours and Mine by A.E. Bennett
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Another excellent book by A.E Bennett! It was a joy to spend more time with Octavia and Gerald - two of my favourite characters from the main Serrulata Saga series - and get more of a glimpse into their early relationship. I can never get enough of Gerald Verte. A kind, considerate gentleman who rails against society’s expectations despite being an outcast himself, who treats his partner like a goddess, and who’s a dynamo in bed - what could be better?
I love the world that Bennett has created with these books, and being back in The Realm felt like slipping on a favourite pair of shoes again. I could read a hundred stories in this setting.
My only criticism is that I wish the time skip towards the end was shorter so I could see more of what happened during that time, as it felt a bit too quick for me, but that might just be me being greedy for more Gerald and Octavia!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Grief, Classism
Minor: Alcohol
There Ought to be Shadows by Krissie Williams
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
This is an interesting southern gothic novella, and I personally found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. I loved the lore that was woven throughout, and really enjoyed getting to learn a mythology that was new to me. The other-worldly characters came to life on the page, and I especially liked Great-Grandmother. She was spicy but caring, and the bond between her and Marilyn was portrayed very well.
There were some really interesting familial relationships described throughout which felt very authentic, and I enjoyed exploring Marilyn’s connection to each character we met as the story progressed. I thought the shifting POVs worked very well, with the “villain”a scenes feeling particularly foreboding, which built up a good amount of tension as the story went on.
While I liked the story, I found the pacing to be a little jarring. It began at a slower pace, giving the reader time to feel the emotion at play and get invested in Marilyn and her story, but as the book went on it got faster and faster and started to feel rushed for me. Some big revelations take place that didn’t make the impact I thought they deserved, which is a shame. I wanted to feel Marilyn’s reactions and understand her motivations for her next actions better.
I assume this is going to be a series, as the book ends at what feels like the start of a new plot line. I would be interested to keep reading, so I could spend more time in Moonstone and delve deeper into the mythology of this world and its characters.
There were some really interesting familial relationships described throughout which felt very authentic, and I enjoyed exploring Marilyn’s connection to each character we met as the story progressed. I thought the shifting POVs worked very well, with the “villain”a scenes feeling particularly foreboding, which built up a good amount of tension as the story went on.
While I liked the story, I found the pacing to be a little jarring. It began at a slower pace, giving the reader time to feel the emotion at play and get invested in Marilyn and her story, but as the book went on it got faster and faster and started to feel rushed for me. Some big revelations take place that didn’t make the impact I thought they deserved, which is a shame. I wanted to feel Marilyn’s reactions and understand her motivations for her next actions better.
I assume this is going to be a series, as the book ends at what feels like the start of a new plot line. I would be interested to keep reading, so I could spend more time in Moonstone and delve deeper into the mythology of this world and its characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Murder
Minor: Death of parent
Attack of the Killer Tumbleweeds by Antonia Rachel Ward
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
We were promised killer tumbleweeds and we got killer tumbleweeds! The main story is this book has a retro sci-fi B-movie vibe with an array of classic characters - the naive newlyweds, the Las Vegas gangster, the jaded showgirl, etc. which makes for a fun, fast-paced adventure. I enjoyed the story, and the different POVs were used well to build suspense and add depth to each of the characters.
The book is filled out with two added short stories of quite different horror genres - one a Wild West zombie tale and one a modern-day slasher. While these are enjoyable stories in their own right, I’m not sure how well the book works as a collection of stories of different horror sub-genres and lengths.
The book is filled out with two added short stories of quite different horror genres - one a Wild West zombie tale and one a modern-day slasher. While these are enjoyable stories in their own right, I’m not sure how well the book works as a collection of stories of different horror sub-genres and lengths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Abortion
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexual harassment