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redhairedashreads's reviews
4575 reviews
The Vampire's Former Flame by Kristen Painter
4.0
4 stars - It was really good
When Remy Lafitte sneaks back into his old hometown to say goodbye to a dying friend, he never expects the mother of his former girlfriend to ask for his help. Ephelia is the only woman he has ever loved and he never expected he would get this second chance with her. While they have a lot of catching up to do, they quickly find that the danger has followed them to Nocturne Falls.
I always get excited when I see a new Nocturne Falls book because I love this town and the people within it. Remy has appeared throughout this series and is one of the last members of the sheriff’s department who hasn’t fallen in love so I was excited to see him finally get a book.
Remy and Ephelia fell in love 12 years ago while Ephelia was in college, but their pride and naivety pushed them apart. Now they are getting a second chance but danger keeps appearing. I really enjoyed Remy and Ephelia’s story and how they slowly got to know the new versions of themselves. I really liked that there weren't a lot of comparison scenes between their old selves and now because that quickly gets tiring and takes away from their current relationship.
While this story does involve a heavy topic of stalking and threats of harm, it mostly focused on Remy and Ephelia and rekindling their relationship. Yes there are discussions of the danger and a few dangerous scenes for the couple, but overall it was about the romance between them, which I was glad for. My only real complaint is that the situation with her father towards the end of the book felt a bit tacked on and rushed, but I still enjoyed it overall.
Overall, this was another great Nocturne Falls book and another great couple. Remy and Ephelia are a great addition to the town and I can’t wait to see them pop up in future books. Also I really want to see more of Jean-Luc, Ephelia’s ghost cat, because he was adorable and a great pet.
TW: stalking and threatening messages; kidnapping; fire and burn injuries; rape discussed;
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Rape
The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters by J.W. Ocker
4.0
This was an in depth look at cryptids in the United States and their origin stories. Each entry includes the type of cryptid, the location of sighting, the earliest sighting, and the size, before going into the story of the cryptid. As a bonus, at the end of the book the author includes sites and festivals for some of the cryptids, which is great if you are wanting to visit some cryptid locations.
As someone who came from a cryptid town, I have always been interested in learning more about cryptids and how their stories started. This was a great way to learn about a lot of different cryptids and why some are more popular than others. The author also groups the cryptids by location in the United States which was a great way to see how many appear in certain areas.
My only complaint was that by the end of this book I was tired of hearing about Bigfoot since there have been so many appearances and different sightings, but it also appeared the author was tired of mentioning Bigfoot too by the end. Overall, I think this is a great book for cryptid fans and a great reference guide.
The Ship Beneath the Ice: The Discovery of Shackleton's Endurance by Mensun Bound
3.0
TW: Graphic excerpts from Endurance’s crews journals that discuss animal deaths, death of their dogs and a cat, threat of starvation, bullying, harsh living conditions and the expectation of dying.
After reading Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage a few years ago, I was very excited when it was announced that they had found the ship in the Antarctic Ocean. The footage from the discovery was beautiful because of how well preserved the ship was, especially the name on the stern.
This memoir of Mensun Bound's journey to discover the ship was very interesting and along with his personal daily updates, he provides information about the Endurance’s voyage and what the crew was doing on certain days. This book is split into two parts covering the two expeditions that lead to this discovery. The first expedition in 2019 was a failure due to the loss of their submersible and weather and ice concerns, but the second expedition in 2022 finally led to the discovery of the ship.
This was an interesting look at modern expeditions for searching for sunken ships and all the techniques and manpower that is needed, especially in the Antarctic ocean. While it was very interesting, there are times when it gets very technical and uses a lot of acronyms so it's a bit hard to understand what things mean. I still enjoyed this book overall, but wish Bound had been a little less technical to make it easier for the non-sailor and scientist to understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Bullying
A Liaison with Her Leading Lady by Lotte R. James
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
When Ruth Connell inherits her father’s beloved theater she unfortunately finds that it's in debt and she has only weeks to pay up otherwise she will lose it. To save it she finds herself turning to reclusive playwright Artemis Goode in the hopes that a new play will lead to success. But as they work together to save the theater, it also leads to growing feelings between them.
This was an enjoyable historical romance that seemed to really showcase theater and how precarious it can be. Ruth and Artemis were interesting women who have both been dealt difficult blows and are recovering from them in different ways. Ruth is struggling to overcome her grief from the recent death of her father and deal with managing and saving the theater she inherited from him. Artemis was a renowned playwright and actor who was forced out of her career by her ex-boyfriend and manager who spread rumors about her.
These two had a very instant-love/lust relationship with them being attracted to each other from the start and having a bit of a one night stand almost right away, but then are pushed apart by fear. While I enjoyed their story overall, I did have a few issues with some things. Artemis is a bit of an asshole in the beginning and says some very hurtful things to Ruth but never actually apologizes. This was very disappointing because I thought she needed to really apologize and grovel some. My other issue was that for the majority of this book their relationship felt more like they were just lusting for each other and not creating an actual relationship. I think if there had been more discussion between the two about their relationship and feelings, and a little less about the theater, then I would have enjoyed it a little more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable queer historical romance with an interesting setting. I think if you are a theater nerd, then this would probably be the book for you.
TW: death of a parent; grief; cheating ex discussed;
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Berserk, Vol. 4 by Kentaro Miura
TW: on page rape, death, child abuse, animal death, injuries
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
This volume continues Guts backstory. Guts has had a very hard life and we quickly learn part of why he is so antisocial and aggressive about being around other people. He was abused and trained from childhood to be a soldier and eventually betrayed by his leader/ adoptive father. We then see him become a mercenary and the events of him meeting Griffith. I am very interested in seeing how Griffith becomes his archenemy but I am also not surprised with how haughty he acts.
TW: on page rape, death, child abuse, animal death, injuries
Berserk, Vol. 3 by Kentaro Miura
3.5
3.5 stars
This volume continues the battle with the Evil Count. While Guts is getting his ass kicked by the Count, he still is able to maneuver him in a way that he can cut his head off. This unfortunately sucks him, Puck, and Theresia into an alternate dimension where he Godheads and we meet the Godhead that marked Guts. The whole story with the count and the Godheads was very interesting, especially since we can finally put a face and name to Guts’ archenemy. The artwork for this battle was so detailed and well done that it really helped sell how powerful a battle it was.
This volume ends with a flashback to Guts' birth and childhood. We see him rescued as a baby and trained to be a soldier by an abusive leader. I am glad we are finally getting a look at his childhood but I feel like it's definitely going to get dark after that last page.
TW: graphic death, violence, death of a parent, grief, hanging, child abuse; miscarriage mentioned
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage
Berserk, Vol. 2 by Kentaro Miura
TW: graphic on page torture, cannibalism, death, beheading,
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
This volume picks up Guts' continued adventure to fight and kill the evil count. He meets a man named Varas who was tortured by the Count seven years ago and is now determined to help Guts defeat him. Guts ends up battling a demon mutated soldier, watching a hanging, and then fighting his way to the Evil Count who ends up being more powerful than Guts expected.
This was a very action packed volume and we are slowly learning more about Guts as the adventure continues. He is still a self-serving ass but we are starting to get brief hints at the trauma behind his actions and his determination. This is also the first battle where Guts may be in over his head, but we will see how it goes in the next volume.
TW: graphic on page torture, cannibalism, death, beheading,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Torture, Death, and Violence
How to Save a Human (Or How Not to Ride a Rollercoaster) by Alice Winters
3.0
A short scene with River and Bentley joining the rest of the VRC gang for a trip to a theme park. Finn is diabolical and really loves torturing everyone. I don’t know how Alexei and Marcus keep getting on the rides.
How to Defy a Vampire by Alice Winters
TW: PTSD, kidnapping, death, violence, medical experimentation discussed;
4.0
4 stars - It was really good
After the past two books have been focusing on different couples in the VRC this book returns us to the OG couple, Marcus and Finn. Finn has stumbled across another crime scene and it brings back ghosts from Marcus’ past. While the normal grumpy vampire is closed lipped about his past, this time he has to open up and figure out what these vampires want and how it involves Watson.
Finn and Marcus have been together for a while now and they have gone through a lot of shit. Finn and Marcus are my favorite couple in this series and they really just can’t get a break, which they desperately need. After they got rid of Watson they both thought things would finally calm down for Finn but we quickly find out that the past isn’t done with him and he finds himself in danger again.
This was another suspenseful book with Finn being in danger, the vampire council causing problems, and an evil vampire from the past returning a killing people. I can’t really say more about what happens in the book without giving too much away, but it was a lot. I couldn’t put the book down once things started popping off and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, which is always a good sign.
Overall, this was another action packed and emotional book. I love that we returned to Finn and Marcus, but hope they get a bit of a break in the future because they have had a rough time lately.
TW: PTSD, kidnapping, death, violence, medical experimentation discussed;
How to Bedeck a Vampire by Alice Winters
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
A short scene with Claude and Alexi visiting Claire's storage container.