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madmadmaddymad's reviews
166 reviews
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s a little disjointed, random, and upsetting. The apocalypse came, but instead of zombies, people just turn on each other and kill one another instead of trying to work together and live. I kind of hated the world of this book, and how miserable and hopeless it was.
The only part I actually had a good time with was the budding romance between Jamie and Andrew. Except for one thing. I know sexuality can be a fluid thing - but I really don’t enjoy books where a character is stated to be straight and then suddenly is doing some really homosexual stuff. I find it really uncomfy. I would have preferred it if Jaimie just admitted he was bi.
The romance was sweet, though.
Also - I’m so glad they helped Cara. A place like the Fort Caroline sounds like my actual nightmare, and I wanted them to go back and save all the women there, who were probably being used for broodmares and kept against their will. That plot was actually horrific. I know they had to leave - but they should have told the other settlement at the end that there was a fucked up settlement to the north, and some of the things that were happening there. I’m glad Cara got out, but I’m sure there were so many others in that place who regret coming to live there, just like she did.
The only part I actually had a good time with was the budding romance between Jamie and Andrew. Except for one thing. I know sexuality can be a fluid thing - but I really don’t enjoy books where a character is stated to be straight and then suddenly is doing some really homosexual stuff. I find it really uncomfy. I would have preferred it if Jaimie just admitted he was bi.
The romance was sweet, though.
Also - I’m so glad they helped Cara. A place like the Fort Caroline sounds like my actual nightmare, and I wanted them to go back and save all the women there, who were probably being used for broodmares and kept against their will. That plot was actually horrific. I know they had to leave - but they should have told the other settlement at the end that there was a fucked up settlement to the north, and some of the things that were happening there. I’m glad Cara got out, but I’m sure there were so many others in that place who regret coming to live there, just like she did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
Book of Night by Holly Black
dark
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? Yes
5.0
I really loved this book, it had me gripped the whole time.
I wondered the whole time what Lionel Salt had taken from Charlie…. Was it just her innocence? To be fair, I found him extremely sinister and chilling. In a world where shadows and magic exist - still a pretentious billionaire who’s used to getting anything he wants can be a compelling villain.
Also, I really liked Charlie! A very different sort of YA heroine, set in her faults and hooked on the adrenaline of adventure. Vince was hard for me to trust at first. Then, I thought he betrayed her. And that ENDING!!!! Wow! I wasn’t expecting at all.
Excellent, thrilling, and very dark - and somewhat spooky. I loved it.
I wondered the whole time what Lionel Salt had taken from Charlie…. Was it just her innocence? To be fair, I found him extremely sinister and chilling. In a world where shadows and magic exist - still a pretentious billionaire who’s used to getting anything he wants can be a compelling villain.
Also, I really liked Charlie! A very different sort of YA heroine, set in her faults and hooked on the adrenaline of adventure. Vince was hard for me to trust at first. Then, I thought he betrayed her. And that ENDING!!!! Wow! I wasn’t expecting at all.
Excellent, thrilling, and very dark - and somewhat spooky. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Murder, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body horror
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
The crossover chapters were the best part of this book, and all too soon… it was over.
I lived for the Prythian portion, I suffered through the Crescent City portion. But SJM of course delivered her signature steamy sex and heart-pounding action, so what more could I ask for?
It was en enjoyable book.
I lived for the Prythian portion, I suffered through the Crescent City portion. But SJM of course delivered her signature steamy sex and heart-pounding action, so what more could I ask for?
It was en enjoyable book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, and Violence
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very cute.
(Predictable.)
But very cute.
I kind of identify with the main character - whenever I’m reading a book and it describes a hunky guy, I can’t imagine his face for some reason. All my romance novel love interests are faceless, and I fall in love with them anyway.
Wish this book had had the courage to let Sadie stay face blind - I kind of liked that part of her character. But it was definitely the appropriate ending to have it all come back together and her to see Joe’s face for the first time and somehow be able to recognize him. Kind of reminded me of 50 First Dates, in a way.
(Predictable.)
But very cute.
I kind of identify with the main character - whenever I’m reading a book and it describes a hunky guy, I can’t imagine his face for some reason. All my romance novel love interests are faceless, and I fall in love with them anyway.
Wish this book had had the courage to let Sadie stay face blind - I kind of liked that part of her character. But it was definitely the appropriate ending to have it all come back together and her to see Joe’s face for the first time and somehow be able to recognize him. Kind of reminded me of 50 First Dates, in a way.
Misery by Stephen King
dark
reflective
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
I haven’t read much Stephen King but this is still my favorite King novel.
The way Paul has to write on a typewriter with no “n” key really stuck with me. The way the “e” and “t” later fell off the typewriter was so devastating and vivid in my memory. It really goes to show how hopeless this man had become, that writing was his only escape from a messed up situation.
And of course; there’s Annie. Annie is the worst, most hateful villainess in almost any work I can think of. I vividly remember her forcing Paul to burn his book. The disjointed pieces of Misery. And the lawnmower scene.
The way Paul has to write on a typewriter with no “n” key really stuck with me. The way the “e” and “t” later fell off the typewriter was so devastating and vivid in my memory. It really goes to show how hopeless this man had become, that writing was his only escape from a messed up situation.
And of course; there’s Annie. Annie is the worst, most hateful villainess in almost any work I can think of. I vividly remember her forcing Paul to burn his book. The disjointed pieces of Misery. And the lawnmower scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Gore, and Torture
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Car accident, Drug use, and Medical trauma
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-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
5.0
I really enjoyed this book!
My favorite sequence is the time Kvothe spent with Felurian. (What can you expect? I’m faerie trash.) I did not enjoy the Ademre sequence - even though the women are badasses, I still found it somehow misogynistic. Maybe it’s because of Kvothe, and how he tainted the time he spent there by talking about how it’s not proper for women to fight, women where he comes from do not fight, and bemoaning that he was paired to spar with a little girl. I just found that that part of the book really dragged, and even though we spent a lot of time there, I didn’t get close to any of the women, and I didn’t get the feeling that Kvothe really respected any of the women? I was waiting for it to be over, and him to go back to the Maer. Even though I didn’t care much for the court politics and the Maer, I still felt like there was more life in that part of the story than the piece in the Ademre.
But aside from that portion of the book… this was such a captivating and excellent story. I still love the parts with Bast, the Chronicler, and Kvothe-the-tavernkeep the most. It feels so fresh to read a fantasy story this way - to have the days laid out this way, and the story told from the hero’s perspective while a perfect stranger and truly good friend listen in.
Bast is obviously still my favorite
I love a scary faerie man
My favorite sequence is the time Kvothe spent with Felurian. (What can you expect? I’m faerie trash.) I did not enjoy the Ademre sequence - even though the women are badasses, I still found it somehow misogynistic. Maybe it’s because of Kvothe, and how he tainted the time he spent there by talking about how it’s not proper for women to fight, women where he comes from do not fight, and bemoaning that he was paired to spar with a little girl. I just found that that part of the book really dragged, and even though we spent a lot of time there, I didn’t get close to any of the women, and I didn’t get the feeling that Kvothe really respected any of the women? I was waiting for it to be over, and him to go back to the Maer. Even though I didn’t care much for the court politics and the Maer, I still felt like there was more life in that part of the story than the piece in the Ademre.
But aside from that portion of the book… this was such a captivating and excellent story. I still love the parts with Bast, the Chronicler, and Kvothe-the-tavernkeep the most. It feels so fresh to read a fantasy story this way - to have the days laid out this way, and the story told from the hero’s perspective while a perfect stranger and truly good friend listen in.
Bast is obviously still my favorite
I love a scary faerie man
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, and Racism
Minor: Sexual content
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A wacky and absurd book about suffering from depression.
My favorite part was the story about digging for her keys in the garbage can at the zoo, and then not knowing what she threw away when her husband came and told her he had her keys. Also, the story about visiting Australia. Easily the most chaotic road trip I’ve ever been on (and I wasn’t even there)
My favorite part was the story about digging for her keys in the garbage can at the zoo, and then not knowing what she threw away when her husband came and told her he had her keys. Also, the story about visiting Australia. Easily the most chaotic road trip I’ve ever been on (and I wasn’t even there)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Animal death
Lore Olympus: Volume Five by Rachel Smythe
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
5.0
This one has Hades and Persephone’s first kiss!
(FIVE VOLUMES IN)
(THE BURN IS SO SLOW)
The plot thickens. I love this series. This is where I was able to binge read to when I first started reading this comic, and then I started having to pay for issues because I became obsessed. I remember losing interest somewhere around the next issue! So I’m about to be in uncharted territory.
Can’t wait to see what happens next.
(FIVE VOLUMES IN)
(THE BURN IS SO SLOW)
The plot thickens. I love this series. This is where I was able to binge read to when I first started reading this comic, and then I started having to pay for issues because I became obsessed. I remember losing interest somewhere around the next issue! So I’m about to be in uncharted territory.
Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape
Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
I love Ares. He gives me such Cassian from ACoTaR vibes. I especially love the scene where he tricks Persephone to making out with him. It just goes to show, there is such a thing as being a jerk without violating someone’s consent (ahem ahem APOLLO)
I also love the confrontation with Persephone and Apollo! I think it’s so important what this series is doing in terms of displaying a relationship like theirs. Apollo thinks he’s a nice guy, and that he’s done nothing wrong. It is so vital what Rachel Smythe is doing, because rape doesn’t always look like someone holding a threat of violence over you for it to be rape. I love this comic’s take on this difficult subject, and I love the art, I love the way Persephone’s trauma is always drawn with those discordant music notes, striped across the panel.
I’m so proud of her for standing up to her rapist.
This series is such a pleasure to read. I love, love, love the characters, the art, the story, and basically everything there is about it.
I also love the confrontation with Persephone and Apollo! I think it’s so important what this series is doing in terms of displaying a relationship like theirs. Apollo thinks he’s a nice guy, and that he’s done nothing wrong. It is so vital what Rachel Smythe is doing, because rape doesn’t always look like someone holding a threat of violence over you for it to be rape. I love this comic’s take on this difficult subject, and I love the art, I love the way Persephone’s trauma is always drawn with those discordant music notes, striped across the panel.
I’m so proud of her for standing up to her rapist.
This series is such a pleasure to read. I love, love, love the characters, the art, the story, and basically everything there is about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infertility
And They Lived . . . by Steven Salvatore
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
5.0
First of all I would like to mention that I wasn’t totally a fan of the WRITING of this book. It’s probably a four star book if I were going to be honest about how it felt to read it. Emotional books like this should never be written in first person present tense. Because it’s too intense. It feels like an action story. That’s just my opinion.
Second.
I love everything else about this book. Chase is heartbreakingly relatable. I loved how it was a gender discovery story - and that he came to decide it’s okay to both be nonbinary while using he/him pronouns and calling himself gay. The whole question of queerness and gender and sexuality is dealt with beautifully in this book, and felt so naturally depicted.
I also love Jack! He is the epitome of the manic pixie dream girl trope. But I love that about him. And I love that this trope can be used and can thrive in a book like this, with a queer romance story at the heart of it.
The love story was so good. I really enjoyed how quickly they fell. How sweet and tender it was, and how, even in the midst of all of that, there was still so much of a struggle. Sometimes, happily ever after isn’t the most important part of the ending. I had my misgivings when certain events happened in this book, because with the whole thing being told from Chase’s perspective, it is a challenge to go through what Chase is going through while also realizing that other people can be going through shit too. Jack’s struggles were painful to read, and even more painful because it was clear to me that they just needed to talk to each other. I love that this story is an exercise in empathy, queerness, and self acceptance.
And I love that it has a happy ending.
Great book. Excellent.
Second.
I love everything else about this book. Chase is heartbreakingly relatable. I loved how it was a gender discovery story - and that he came to decide it’s okay to both be nonbinary while using he/him pronouns and calling himself gay. The whole question of queerness and gender and sexuality is dealt with beautifully in this book, and felt so naturally depicted.
I also love Jack! He is the epitome of the manic pixie dream girl trope. But I love that about him. And I love that this trope can be used and can thrive in a book like this, with a queer romance story at the heart of it.
The love story was so good. I really enjoyed how quickly they fell. How sweet and tender it was, and how, even in the midst of all of that, there was still so much of a struggle. Sometimes, happily ever after isn’t the most important part of the ending. I had my misgivings when certain events happened in this book, because with the whole thing being told from Chase’s perspective, it is a challenge to go through what Chase is going through while also realizing that other people can be going through shit too. Jack’s struggles were painful to read, and even more painful because it was clear to me that they just needed to talk to each other. I love that this story is an exercise in empathy, queerness, and self acceptance.
And I love that it has a happy ending.
Great book. Excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Fatphobia
Minor: Bullying and Outing