kayceeisbookish's reviews
324 reviews

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

challenging dark inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS! This book is going to be one of my favorites of this year. It's so masterfully written and touches upon so many dark topics that need to be brought to light instead of hidden away into obscurity. I love how abrasive and raw this book is to all the senses. The big plot reveal had me floored, and it will take a while to recover from this amazing piece of literature.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Infertility, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Classism, and Deportation

The Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley

informative slow-paced

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

1.5

I was originally very excited about this book.  I saw people compare it to Song of Achilles. Folks...it's not. There are large gaps of what felt like filler and points where the story just goes nowhere/spins its tires for chapters. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, and War

The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

5.0

I'm sobbing!!!! This was such a ride! Hazel was such a great character. The plot was so good. I loved the mix of mythology and science in her healer teachings. One of my favorite books of this year.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Sexism, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and War

Warriors of Wind and Ash by Rebecca F. Kenney

emotional slow-paced

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

3.75

While I enjoyed the continuation of this series, the drastic duality between the duo was almost too much at times. Having the FMC being tortured at times while the MMC is having a funny time learning how to use a human toilet was a bit *too* much of a distance for the reader to jog between POVs. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment

A Deception of Courts by Ben Alderson

slow-paced

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

3.75

A Kingdom of Lies by Ben Alderson

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

Perfect for fans of ACOTAR/TOG or Folk of the Air series. This steamy queer fae romantasy is non-stop action, magic, and deception around every turn. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Elphie: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

While the narrative was definitely difficult to read (the tone feeling very old-timey like LOTR vibes), once you read beyond that, it is a very traumatic tale of a young Elphie. Felt very reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events...since nothing ever seemed to go right for young Elphie and her family.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual violence, Blood, Excrement, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

Dark, alluring, spicy, and full of gruesome humor. I loved it. This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

Heir to Thorn and Flame by Ben Alderson

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

A magic fantasy full of images, dragons, and deception around every turn. Who can you trust? Apparently, no one. 
I enjoyed this book. The plot had a few holes, but overall, it was a fun fantasy story about friendship, family, and self-discovery.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and War

Symbiote by Michael Nayak

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Very reminiscent of The Thing and The Hot Zone. My biologist heart loved it and oozed nerdiness. My skin crawled the whole time.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol