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menage_a_livre's reviews
63 reviews
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A Shadow Crown by Melissa Blair
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I don’t think I’ve placed a hold on a book’s sequel as fast as I did for this one. Keera’s journey in this book was heartbreaking to follow and the ENDING!! I genuinely didn’t expect the book to end the way it did. There is romance and lately, I’ve found romantasy to be too formulaic but Blair writes the romance between characters as secondary to everything that’s happening. It’s not their focus and their personalities don’t become their partners.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Colonisation
Moderate: Self harm, Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Murder
All of the triggering content that Blair incorporates is done with purpose and is not poorly represented. Colonialism and the effects of colonization are themes that are the focus of novel.
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
2.0
I started this book at the beginning of February 2024. I wanted to like this book. I wanted to like this book a LOT because it hit all of my fantasy buttons. Pirates, mermaids, queer rep. But the writing was hard to get through and I DNF'd the book at Chapter 20. The worldbuilding and magic system is unparalleled. It has one of the best magic systems I've seen in fantasy and I've read a lot of fantasy. The worldbuilding was intricate to the point where I wanted to eat the ginnada Amora talks about in early chapters.
That being said, the writing of the book and the pacing of the book is so hard to get through. I'm chalking it up to it being Grace's first official release since I've heard that her other series, Belladonna, is really good. She's most likely finding her footing and her voice as an author. If you can get through that, I'm absolutely sure that the book will be rewarding for you, but I just couldn't get through it and I wanted to simply move on.
That being said, the writing of the book and the pacing of the book is so hard to get through. I'm chalking it up to it being Grace's first official release since I've heard that her other series, Belladonna, is really good. She's most likely finding her footing and her voice as an author. If you can get through that, I'm absolutely sure that the book will be rewarding for you, but I just couldn't get through it and I wanted to simply move on.
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
4.0
Rounded up from a 3.5. As a horror scholar, I loved this book for its critique and exploration of contemporary horror tropes, but there were a few moments that fell a little flat for me, like Lynnette's interactions with Chrissy and the inclusion of the "ancient Indian burial ground" trope. All in all, I think FGSG is a fun romp and I genuinely couldn't tell how the book was going to end until it did. If you like horror, you'll like this book.
Scissor Sisters by Rae Knowles, April Yates
4.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you like sapphic stories, horror, and monstrous women, this book is for you!
To read my full review, you can find it here:
https://pastellegeek.wordpress.com/2024/02/29/book-review-scissor-sisters/
If you like sapphic stories, horror, and monstrous women, this book is for you!
To read my full review, you can find it here:
https://pastellegeek.wordpress.com/2024/02/29/book-review-scissor-sisters/