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poisoned_icecream's reviews
2029 reviews
Little Bird by Tiffany Meuret
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is such a wonderful and weird book that combines horror and fantasy. It is about Josie, a woman who's divorced from her husband and her father died. She now avoids interacting with people and lives with her dog Po. She is also estranged from her mother and drinks a lot of beer as a way to deal with her grief. One day Josie notices a sudden plant growth and then there's a talking skeleton in her backyard who calls herself Skelly. There's also a new neighbor named Sue who insists on interacting with Josie and won't take the hint to go away, and who may know the truth about the vines and Skelly. The interaction between Josie and Skelly was both funny and frustrating. I enjoyed it whenever Skelly told a story and really grew attached to her, as well as all the characters in this book. This is now one of my favorite and I am definitely reading more of Tiffany Meuret's writing. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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
I don't read romantic comedies that much, so this was out of my comfort zone but I actually ended up liking it. It is about Ember Lee Cardinal and the lies she uses in an attempt to get ahead, such as answering white instead of Native American in a job application to be an accountant. Before the interview she meets Danuwoa Colson, who she's instantly attracted to and turns out to be an IT guy at the place she applies at and ends up. Their work has a no-dating policy so Ember comes up with more lies to hide that she is having sex and dating Danuwoa.
Ember's lies made me so anxious and there were several moments where I had to temporarily put the book down. However I can't blame her for lying due to how hostile the corporate world can be for people for anyone who doesn't fit the norm. Also really appreciated how she has a supportive community who help her just because they believe in uplifting each other.
The things I didn't like in this book though is that the word and phrases "pregnant pause" (used twice), "just friends" and "prude" are used. None of those are necessary even in a romance novel. It would also have been nice to have some chapters with Danuwoa's perspective. Despite these few flaws, this is still a good debut and I will read more from Danica Nava.
Ember's lies made me so anxious and there were several moments where I had to temporarily put the book down. However I can't blame her for lying due to how hostile the corporate world can be for people for anyone who doesn't fit the norm. Also really appreciated how she has a supportive community who help her just because they believe in uplifting each other.
The things I didn't like in this book though is that the word and phrases "pregnant pause" (used twice), "just friends" and "prude" are used. None of those are necessary even in a romance novel. It would also have been nice to have some chapters with Danuwoa's perspective. Despite these few flaws, this is still a good debut and I will read more from Danica Nava.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism
The Librarian's Gargoyle by Evelyn Shine
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
This is the sapphic fantasy romance I didn't know I needed or wanted. Viola may lose her job as a librarian and she is under pressure to marry a man and have children (yuck). All her life she has told stories of her own life and fairytales to a gargoyle that she named Iggy. Iggy/Boudicca enjoyed listening to Viola's stories, so when she's tasked by her creator to appear human and guard Viola from some shades, she is excited at the opportunity to speak with her. I really enjoyed this novel and I am looking forward to the sequel. However there were some moments where the way characters felt too modern for a book that's supposed to take place in the twentieth century. Still I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sapphic fantasy books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
The Summer of Dead Birds by Ali Liebegott
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
5.0
This is a memoir written in verse. The poems are sad but also beautiful and heartfelt. I'll definitely read more by Abi Liebegott. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Grief, Death of parent
This Isn't the Place: A Collection of Utah Horror by Beverly Bernard
5.0
The theme of this anthology is hauntings that are not in homes and they're all in Utah. I had a great time reading this anthology. All these stories are so creepy and unsettling. Some of the hauntings take place at a rest stop, an abandoned amusement park, a Wal Mart, a ship at the bottom of the ocean, an assisted living facility, and there's also a story in which a person rather than a place is haunted. I highly recommend this anthology to anyone who is into horror.
The Canopy Keepers by Veronica G. Henry
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
reflective
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
Feeding Lucy by Mo Medusa
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Frankie moved away from the small town she grew up in to escape her overbearing mother. Ten years later she gets a phone call from a stranger who tells her that her mother has died. This left me so unsettled but I enjoyed it so much. It goes from being subtle to full on horror towards the end. When I got to the scene of the feast, I was so unnerved that I had to put the book for a few minutes. I liked reading about Sankta Lucia and The Night of the Witches. While this is a bit predictable in some ways, it is still suitable for anyone who enjoys folk horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Felt in the Jaw by Kristen N. Arnett
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75