racheltheripper's reviews
83 reviews

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

challenging dark emotional tense

• 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

4.75

The Idiot by Elif Batuman

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In by Kate Kennedy

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.25

The Mirror World of Melody Black by Gavin Extence

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin

emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The Forgotten Island by David Sodergren

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Interesting premise that is mostly well executed, but falls short in making me care about any of the characters. Maybe that was the point? Some actions and thoughts from characters seemed outlandish, though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Death, Sexism, Body horror, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Torture

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Cursing

Arachbophobes beware!

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Murder, Hate crime, Torture, Child death, Body horror, Blood, Grief, Gore, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent

Maggie's Grave by David Sodergren

dark tense fast-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? No

5.0

How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur

funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Good Girls Don't Die by Christina Henry

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75