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libraryofavirgo's reviews
144 reviews
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
This is true gothic horror: the swampy everglades, the unease, the dreamlike state, the moody atmosphere; it was like watching a movie play out. As with most gothic horror, this does move at a slow pace, Gonzalez builds the tension and truly gives the reader that creepy feeling that something is just not right. Every page is like slipping into a quiet fever dream to go visit the hat man.
The vibe I got while reading this is the same one I had when reading House of Leaves, which is an all time favorite of mine, so that is a high I have been chasing.
This is an amazing debut novel from Gonzalez and I cannot wait to see more of his work on my shelves.
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
This one is a bit different, written from the pov of our slasher rather than from one of the victims or the classic final girl. Jone’s writing is off the charts, mainly because he was also 17 in the year of 1989, and grew up in rural Texas. The story has such a heavy impact, I can tell Jones put his entire soul into this work and it is beautiful. It felt almost intimate while reading. This is written like a love letter to the horror genre and all of its intricacies and tropes. Jones examines and shows us what the genre truly represents at its core.
This is a book I would very much rather people experience for themselves rather than me going on my winded explanations. Pick this up for a classic slasher with a bit of twist
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did something a little different for this book; I did my first immersive read. Since this book has a podcast element, it only felt like I had to give it a shot, and it was amazing! The audiobook narrators did a phenomenal job; it genuinely felt like I was sitting down with my favorite podcast.
The premise of this book is insane in the best of ways, and Tintera’s execution is on point. I really like the way in which the book switches from Lucy’s pov to the podcast episodes; it truly added such an immersive feel that is unforgettable. All of the characters felt so incredibly detailed, even minor side characters. And the small town drama? I can attest to the accuracy. There are no perfect people, and investigations have a way of dredging up everyone’s deep, dark secrets.
This book had me on the edge of my seat at every moment; every time I thought I had it figured out, Tintera threw me for a complete loop with new information. And the ending?! I am so happy this was a book club read for me because I NEED to talk about that.
For anyone who loves mystery, thrillers, or true crime, this is a must-read.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'll admit I'm a sucker for Love Island, so naturally, when I saw this being described as Love Island meets Lord of the Flies, I dropped everything to read it. And it was a spectacular decision! This is Rawle's debut novel, and she knocked it out of the park! While the main theme of this remains similar to Love Island, it gives reminiscences of Black Mirror, Survivor, Big Brother, and a bit of The Hunger Games. This novel takes a magnifying glass to our society and forces us to reconcile with the construct of reality TV, the need for fame, societal performance, consumerism, capitalism, gender roles, our need for connection, and so much more. This book truly felt like I was watching a show play out, rather than reading it. I want to say so many things about it, but this is one of the novels where the less you know going in, the better.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and I highly recommend it to everyone. This is peak summer reading, and it just might be my favorite book of the summer.
DNF at 25%.
This is disappointing as I am a huge Greek mythology fan, and love seeing stories reinvisioned and retold in a modern spin. When I saw this being compared to the works of Jennifer Saint, I was so excited, but this book just disappointed me. This mainly comes down to the writing; the premise of the book holds so much promise, but the execution needs work, a lot of work. I'm sure this would appeal to a specific audience who enjoys more of a specific type of humor, because that is what this reads as: a comedic take on the story of Hercules, not a retelling from a different perspective.
I'm not one to be offended by cursing, but there is an absurd amount of cursing, and it adds no value to the story; it's just there for the sake of being there. If I never have to read the words "dipshit husband" again, it will be too soon.
The tone in which Hera is written also rubs me the wrong way; it feels as if Wiswell is pushing the 'crazy ex-wife' narrative a bit too hard, like shoving it in your face and suffocating hard.
The entire time I was reading it just felt like a watered-down version of Greek mythology told by a stand-up comedian who did not do his research.
This is disappointing as I am a huge Greek mythology fan, and love seeing stories reinvisioned and retold in a modern spin. When I saw this being compared to the works of Jennifer Saint, I was so excited, but this book just disappointed me. This mainly comes down to the writing; the premise of the book holds so much promise, but the execution needs work, a lot of work. I'm sure this would appeal to a specific audience who enjoys more of a specific type of humor, because that is what this reads as: a comedic take on the story of Hercules, not a retelling from a different perspective.
I'm not one to be offended by cursing, but there is an absurd amount of cursing, and it adds no value to the story; it's just there for the sake of being there. If I never have to read the words "dipshit husband" again, it will be too soon.
The tone in which Hera is written also rubs me the wrong way; it feels as if Wiswell is pushing the 'crazy ex-wife' narrative a bit too hard, like shoving it in your face and suffocating hard.
The entire time I was reading it just felt like a watered-down version of Greek mythology told by a stand-up comedian who did not do his research.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What happens when you find your estranged twin dead in her apartment? Well, if she’s a famous influencer, you obviously take over her life. Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier no more; but now Chloe Van Hussen, a lifestyle influencer with millions of followers. That is, if Julie can keep up the ruse of Chloe.
I truly do not think I can find the right words to express just how much I love this book—immediate favorite, 5 stars, no criticism. I wish I could read this again for the first time. I love weird books; it is my niche, and this delivered on a magnitude that I have not been able to find for a very long time. I will be chasing the high of this for the foreseeable future. Normally, the modern-day setting in books is off-putting for me, but Zhang executed this perfectly. The influencer culture and what social media has become over the years was so eloquently displayed and laid bare; the act of being swept up in personas designed specifically for the public, the game of numbers, and the push for content at any cost. This is something that all of us who have grown up in the age of the internet can relate to, especially those of us active in the (book) influencer community. Satirical commentary and callouts aside, this is a wild and breathtaking horror thriller. I am a sucker for a good twist, and by god did this surpass all of my expectations. I have so many hyper-specific thoughts and opinions I am dying to share, but alas, I strive to remain spoiler-free in all my reviews and thus will refrain.
I akin the feeling of reading this to exactly how I felt while reading Bunny by Mona Awad, an all-time favorite of mine, of which this book has found itself a permanent place among. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Racism, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Infertility, Medical trauma, Car accident, Colonisation
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At its core, this is a story about identity. Norris takes on themes of grief, gender, complex family dynamics, mental health, and finding oneself in this world. Centered on Davis and Everett’s relationship, we witness what it means to be with someone who loves you as you are, providing the freedom and support to find whomever that may be, and confronting traumas one would rather stay buried. Family can be the thing that holds you together, but also the very thing that breaks your heart.
The premise of the story is intriguing, but I must admit the characters fell a bit flat for me. There are several plot lines I would have loved to see more fleshed out, and I believe it would have provided a much-needed depth.
Overall, I’m so glad I read this. A wonderful debut novel from Denne Michele Norris, and I look forward to what they will write in the future. I definitely recommend this as a truly diverse read to brighten anyone’s shelves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse
Minor: Cancer, Abortion, Sexual harassment