Take a photo of a barcode or cover
kt2e56's reviews
116 reviews
Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I remember falling in love with this as a kid but re-reading it as an adult, it feels a bit clunky and over-stuffed.
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This was such a disappointment for me. A solid premise and genuinely creepy atmosphere ruined by an impossible ending, ableism, and an asshole of a main character who doesn’t even try to use logic when making decisions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Violence, Vomit, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
I am genuinely blown away by this book and it’s ability to get me so invested in what sounds like the most absurd premise ever. It’s unbelievably gory, super tense and suspenseful, and filled with some memorable characters (Mostar, my beloved MVP <3). Hell, it even made me start to love the main character and author of the “journal” we’re reading, Kate. She goes from being a sniveling, whiny, judgmental asshole to a fucking unstoppable force and terrifying predator. That entire last speech from Kate’s brother gave me chills. That’s another bit I liked about this book! How journal entries are broken up by interviews with folks who discovered the aftermath, along with some quotes, and other fascinating pieces of world-building. Anyway, this was fucking awesome. Definitely read it if you’re looking for something creepy without being too scary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Vomit, Gaslighting, War
Daughters of a Dead Empire by Carolyn Tara O'Neil
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It starts out very slowly. The plot is urgent from the jump, but the constant bickering and shallow “Communism will save us!” or “Tsarism is good!” debates are nonstop and grow tiresome because both characters are just repeating the same talking points about their ideologies which is just boring to read as neither girl says more than the same few quips over and over again. At about 45% the book really starts to pick up and becomes much more interesting to read. Anna being THE Anastasia isn’t some great reveal. Anyone with even a fleeting grasp on Russian history can figure that out less than five pages in. The ending also felt very rushed. I think another chapter would have helped. The story is an interesting one! The characters feel a little flat but their ordeal is compelling to read and you still are rooting for the main heroines even if their identities don’t feel particularly fleshed out. It’s a solid premise with genuinely harrowing action sequences. It’s hard not to get sucked in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, War
Minor: Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
An unnerving look at the Troubles and the trauma it unleashed on an entire nation for generation after generation. The author is able to clearly and concisely describe what occurred in a matter-of-fact way without coming across as cold or indifferent.
The contrast between Gerry Adams who has done very well for himself, and those under his command who were forever scarred and traumatized is particularly unsettling.
This is a book that’ll stay with you for a long time.
The contrast between Gerry Adams who has done very well for himself, and those under his command who were forever scarred and traumatized is particularly unsettling.
This is a book that’ll stay with you for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Torture, Police brutality, War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault
All's Well by Mona Awad
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
4.5
A nightmarish look at chronic pain and the misogyny of the healthcare industry told through a very clever lens. A little slow to get rolling but once it does, it’s absolutely wild. I felt so much anxiety throughout both while Miranda’s obvious ailments are being ignored and all through her mania.
This is my second book I’ve read now from Mona Awad and I’m honestly so impressed. Just so fucking good.
This is my second book I’ve read now from Mona Awad and I’m honestly so impressed. Just so fucking good.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beauty is indeed terrifying. This book was such a solid slow burn. It really got under my skin and I think it’s going to stay there for awhile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder
Moderate: Incest, Racism, Sexual content
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As a lover of film and Old Hollywood, I definitely liked the plot. I liked catching references to real life figures like Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, and Jane Fonda.
And I like how unapologetic Evelyn is. I like messy protagonists. Life is messy. People are messy.
All that being said, the book did leave a lot to be desired. I’m a queer woman and I could tell immediately that the author was straight based on how she characterized the sapphic relationship at the heart of this book. Don’t get me wrong, Celia and Evelyn are a fascinating and messy couple. That’s fine. That’s interesting to read. But the idea that queer women are just straight men in dresses just really rubbed me the wrong way and certain aspects of their relationship rubbed me the wrong way because of it.
I’m white, but I did feel similarly about how race was presented in this book. It did not take me long to sus out that the author is also a white woman based on the clumsy way she handled both Evelyn and Monique’s race. While yes, platinum blonde hair is unnatural on ANYONE of ANY RACE, the idea of a Cuban woman being physically incapable of being blonde is just laughable to me. If I had a nickel for every time I had to read some version of the phrase “her blonde hair and her tan skin shouldn’t look so natural together and yet they do on Evelyn” I’d be able to get my own swanky place on the Upper East Side.
I also understand Monique’s importance to the plot (especially that twist at the end) but she truly was just such a poorly written character. I just did not for a second believe that not only was she a journalist but she was a journalist who apparently wrote about some serious topics with nuance. I mean the amount of times she cut Evelyn off, made wild assumptions, or just straight up said something offensive was off the charts. For an allegedly well-educated woman, she comes off as foolish.
I feel like my real rating for this would be 2.5 stars. I didn’t outright hate it, but it was a massive disappointment based on how many people I know have loved it.
And I like how unapologetic Evelyn is. I like messy protagonists. Life is messy. People are messy.
All that being said, the book did leave a lot to be desired. I’m a queer woman and I could tell immediately that the author was straight based on how she characterized the sapphic relationship at the heart of this book. Don’t get me wrong, Celia and Evelyn are a fascinating and messy couple. That’s fine. That’s interesting to read. But the idea that queer women are just straight men in dresses just really rubbed me the wrong way and certain aspects of their relationship rubbed me the wrong way because of it.
I’m white, but I did feel similarly about how race was presented in this book. It did not take me long to sus out that the author is also a white woman based on the clumsy way she handled both Evelyn and Monique’s race. While yes, platinum blonde hair is unnatural on ANYONE of ANY RACE, the idea of a Cuban woman being physically incapable of being blonde is just laughable to me. If I had a nickel for every time I had to read some version of the phrase “her blonde hair and her tan skin shouldn’t look so natural together and yet they do on Evelyn” I’d be able to get my own swanky place on the Upper East Side.
I also understand Monique’s importance to the plot (especially that twist at the end) but she truly was just such a poorly written character. I just did not for a second believe that not only was she a journalist but she was a journalist who apparently wrote about some serious topics with nuance. I mean the amount of times she cut Evelyn off, made wild assumptions, or just straight up said something offensive was off the charts. For an allegedly well-educated woman, she comes off as foolish.
I feel like my real rating for this would be 2.5 stars. I didn’t outright hate it, but it was a massive disappointment based on how many people I know have loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia, Car accident
Minor: Cancer, Abortion
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Truly masterful storytelling I think “Inventory” and “Mothers” are my favorites but every story is excellent. “Especially Heinous” oddly enough reminds me of that [adult swim] late night short “Unedited Footage of a Bear”. Really chilling stuff. Already looking forward to reading more from this author.
Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Mildly disappointed with this one. I feel like there wasn’t enough chemistry between the two leads to warrant their instant attraction to one another and I found Hazel to be an entitled and rather annoying protagonist. My last complaint is that the action seems to really pick up about 80% of the way through. I think if the book was longer it wouldn’t have felt so rushed towards the end? I definitely didn’t hate it. And I think the world building was interesting (which tracks based on the author’s background in studying history).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Classism