maevekilcarr's reviews
282 reviews

The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

Triggered my OCD too much to continue on. Might pick it up when I’m in a better place 

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

An emotionally taxing read, but a necessary one. Truly a classic in the sense of remaining painfully relevant as each passing year brings more examples of war, violence, and innocent victims unjustly harmed

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Medical content, War, Injury/Injury detail

What It's Like in Words: A Novel by Eliza Moss

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

Thank you to Henry Holt & Co for sending me a copy of What It's Like in Words!

This is a tough read about a women who's roped into a toxic relationship with a terrible, terrible man. He's never named outright, just referred to as "the writer". Enola is frustrating to read from as she's unable to see the depth of the awfulness this ahole possesses. Moss's biggest strength is in these complex, grey area character moments. Enola isn't a perfect victim, but that's the point. You get to see how her words are twisted and how her emotions are preyed upon.

I don't think the reveals landed for me in the end and this combined with the stream-of-consciousness style not being my thing resulted in the 3/5. I would recommend this if you like explorations of how "typical" abusers operate (ie not necessarily outright violent, but mentally exhausting and emotionally manipulative).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship

Moderate: Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Grief

Minor: Drug use

Reprieve by James Han Mattson

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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 don’t really know how to describe the way I felt reading this book other than I need a long shower and some ibuprofen 

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

It’s not often you come across a mystery this intricate and immersive. Too many beautiful quotes to count!

The Terror by Dan Simmons

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

1.0

Dragged on FOREVER. Couldn’t tell me what happened in the end honestly I checked out 

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Thank you crown publishing for sending me a copy ❤️❤️❤️

I found the characters and their coping mechanisms so interesting. I struggled to put this one down! I do think it needed a trim in length and character inclusion. Not everything and everyone ends up being relevant to the story and themes. 

However, I do think this is worth the read if you like emotional character studies! 

Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

3.5

Super interesting story! Nick did a great job with these characters!! The main reason why I didn’t like it more was down to the lack of timeline distinction (past and present) and the way Ern was written. Unfortunately, it was very stereotypical “fat character in a horror story”, i.e. constantly describing their body, sweating, how much they eat, and so on. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Blood, Cannibalism, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury

Hide Me Among the Graves by Tim Powers

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

1.0

Was really hard to follow and suffered from having too many bland characters 

Black Mouth by Ronald Malfi

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

I was not expecting to love this so much, wow I’m speechless. The discussions of grief, coping with trauma, building friendships and bonding with your siblings…this was fantastic. I can’t recommend this enough 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury