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meshell's reviews
333 reviews
Seducing Mr. Right by Katee Robert
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was silly.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
I found this book a complete drag to get through.
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I loved Half a Soul, and the whole regency faerie tale series, so I was excited to come back to that world for a bit with this new series - and having read it, I enjoyed it, and I'll read more books in the future, BUT, it had a much different vibe and atmosphere than the other series. So you're not going to find a repeat of half a soul et al if that's what you are looking for, you might only find glimmers of it, it's the same world, but there has been a shift in that world. Things have changed.
The series name is telling - it's very much more a *Victorian* faerie tale vs the regency style of her previous series, I mean, this one takes us into an isolated haunted mansion, the faerie aspect is more dismal, It's less faerie frippery and more mean faeries that are kind of the worst. The romance aspect is much more muted - because they're Going Through Some Things.
Ultimately, I did enjoy it - but I had to adjust my expectations away from this becoming just another book in the original series.
The series name is telling - it's very much more a *Victorian* faerie tale vs the regency style of her previous series, I mean, this one takes us into an isolated haunted mansion, the faerie aspect is more dismal, It's less faerie frippery and more mean faeries that are kind of the worst. The romance aspect is much more muted - because they're Going Through Some Things.
Ultimately, I did enjoy it - but I had to adjust my expectations away from this becoming just another book in the original series.
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I recently read Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White, (courtesy of netgalley & the publisher) and thought it was brilliant. I think his books are all great, in different ways. Thus far, every time I pick one up I just can't put it down again, or if I do, I keep thinking about it.
This one is queer trans autistic west Virginian teenager vs murderous decades long power imbalanced family feud vs the worst of small town energy. There is radical redneck history. There is violence, and intrigue, and mystery. There is satisfaction. I found this book had a bit more education for the uninitiated, and I don't know how that will land for other people - but I didn't think any of it was particularly heavy handed, just I felt like the authour was making an explicit point about certain aspects vs just having it be part of the story for stories sake.
I liked the pacing in the first half, and wanted more from the second half, but what was there was good enough for me. This felt more like a thriller than horror - there are some supernatural elements it was generally softer than his other two books, and wasn't as violent despite still containing some pretty serious violence.
I think this would be a great book for anyone interested in reading some righteous vengeance against mostly unambiguous villains, mixed with some coming of age and self-acceptance/self-understanding themes. You will probably also appreciate it if you were a queer anarchisty-leaning kid growing up in a conservative area (like me) but that might be too on the nose.
This one is queer trans autistic west Virginian teenager vs murderous decades long power imbalanced family feud vs the worst of small town energy. There is radical redneck history. There is violence, and intrigue, and mystery. There is satisfaction. I found this book had a bit more education for the uninitiated, and I don't know how that will land for other people - but I didn't think any of it was particularly heavy handed, just I felt like the authour was making an explicit point about certain aspects vs just having it be part of the story for stories sake.
I liked the pacing in the first half, and wanted more from the second half, but what was there was good enough for me. This felt more like a thriller than horror - there are some supernatural elements it was generally softer than his other two books, and wasn't as violent despite still containing some pretty serious violence.
I think this would be a great book for anyone interested in reading some righteous vengeance against mostly unambiguous villains, mixed with some coming of age and self-acceptance/self-understanding themes. You will probably also appreciate it if you were a queer anarchisty-leaning kid growing up in a conservative area (like me) but that might be too on the nose.
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
brilliant debut, just an utterly unique perspective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Murder
The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei
I felt like there were parts of this book I endured, and parts I enjoyed.
I don’t hate that there were shitty imperfect people in the story, and the main character was so uncertain and eager to please that it was both second hand embarrassing and painfully relatable.
I finished this book a few moments ago, perhaps I will come back to this review in the future work more cogent thoughts, but at the moment I’m both glad and sad that I’m done this story.
I don’t hate that there were shitty imperfect people in the story, and the main character was so uncertain and eager to please that it was both second hand embarrassing and painfully relatable.
I finished this book a few moments ago, perhaps I will come back to this review in the future work more cogent thoughts, but at the moment I’m both glad and sad that I’m done this story.
Atoms Never Touch by micha cárdenas
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0