rmnedder's reviews
47 reviews

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

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adventurous challenging dark 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

An absolutely incredible book. The world is so well realized, and the story pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. It’s one of the most powerful things I’ve read in a very long time.

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson

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adventurous funny mysterious reflective medium-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

3.5

Very clever concept, the characters are really well done (LOVED Fadil), and the writing is pretty funny. However, I felt that there were far more questions raised than answered, and there are certain things, like who the voices really were, or what was up with certain characters… (see spoiler tags) that I really wish were fully explained. Also… not the biggest fan of Freddie and Elena’s dynamic, but that’s just me.
Not a bad book by any means! Diverse cast, disaster bisexuals, and a modern take on Joan of Arc. But there was so much more this book could have done or been.

the introduction of Carmen Ballard was fine, but her role in this came way the hell out of nowhere and I didn’t see the true threat she really posed. also… What On Earth was up with David Combs, that felt like a rushed explanation.

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

beautifully written. mandelo’s prose is unreal, it’s intricate and clever and haunting. incredibly well-crafted slow burn southern gothic. couldn’t recommend this enough!!

The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur 허주은

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

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dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

super disturbing in the best way possible. the kind of strange indie horror filth I didn’t know I needed.
the plot moved at breakneck speed—understandable, considering it’s a 100 page novella. felt a little underbaked at times but not egregiously so!

Content Warnings

Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth

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dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

this book was WEIRD. just downright strange and disturbing. the prose was sharp and wonderful, the characters (particularly Abby) were incredibly complex, and it was well written. some of the plot felt a little loose, or like it came out of left field, but aside from that it was a whip smart read. you’re gonna need a strong stomach, though!!

Content Warnings