ky_q_xoxo's reviews
791 reviews

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad medium-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

3.5

UGH I feel so torn about this one. Daniel Kraus’ writing is gorgeous and so lyrical. Mix that with scientifically accurate whale lore and a poignant exploration of father-son relationships. Very confusing mash-up that kinda worked for me? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Suicide

Minor: Terminal illness, Vomit, Pandemic/Epidemic

Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.5

This was such a banger and I think going into it not knowing anything is the way to go. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gore, Gaslighting

Minor: Misogyny, Blood, Religious bigotry

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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

4.0

This was sooo atmospheric and creepy!! I would not last 10 minutes in this situation let alone however long Gyre was down there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Death of parent

Minor: Medical content, Gaslighting, Abandonment

Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• 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? Yes

3.0

Very very mid. I did not get along with the writing and considered DNFing, but wanted to see what happened. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death of parent, Murder

Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Violence

Minor: Suicide, Dementia, Car accident

A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Yup yup yup her writing works for me. Also I related to this too much and I loved reading from my first fat horror protagonist. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Blood

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Racism

Minor: Dementia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

This was somehow a very different vibe from Black Sheep and also very much in the same voice. Love love loved it. Can’t wait to read more!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Alcohol

Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Blood

Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Death of parent

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

Rachel Harrison strikes the perfect balance between darkly humorous and creepy as hell. 👏

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Blood

Moderate: Body horror, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Sexual harassment

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

I loved this but I was SO caught off guard by the ending and I can’t decide how I feel about it????

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Dementia

Minor: Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Car accident

The Rattled Bones by S.M. Parker

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I loved the historical aspect of this, as well as the Maine coastal vibes and the social commentary. The ghost story was not as scary as I wanted it to be, but for the target audience I think it’s appropriate. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers by Karen Kleiman

emotional hopeful informative

5.0

Very affirming comics and good information for postpartum parents. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Child death, Self harm