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rqdreads's reviews
13 reviews
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this dark, gothic fantasy set in the fictional world of Blunder where magic is a NO-NO, so we all know what that means for our dear MC! It was fast paced, had a little dash of romance, and lots of deception and adventure. I REALLY liked the ending and am definitely intrigued to what happens next. I would recommend this book to people who enjoyed books like Caraval, Where Dreams Descend, or Ace of Shades.
Overall, it was an interesting magic system (using magical cards - almost like a Tarot deck). It reads a bit YA for it being labeled as ADULT, especially via audio. The narrator wasn't my favorite because it completely changes the tone of what I was expecting of the Elspeth and the other characters. When I physically read the book it was a completely different experience, so IMO, if you're interested in this book, commit to a physical read!
Content warnings listed from the authors website:
Scenes of terror.
General violence/gore.
Child in peril.
Blood.
Mention of self-harm for magic.
Moderate sexual content.
Mention of parental neglect.
Alcohol consumption
Overall, it was an interesting magic system (using magical cards - almost like a Tarot deck). It reads a bit YA for it being labeled as ADULT, especially via audio. The narrator wasn't my favorite because it completely changes the tone of what I was expecting of the Elspeth and the other characters. When I physically read the book it was a completely different experience, so IMO, if you're interested in this book, commit to a physical read!
Content warnings listed from the authors website:
Scenes of terror.
General violence/gore.
Child in peril.
Blood.
Mention of self-harm for magic.
Moderate sexual content.
Mention of parental neglect.
Alcohol consumption
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
My overall thoughts is that it was a pretty decent fantasy! I ended up binging the audio when I couldn't sleep. I think I enjoyed it more because I could see the characters in my brain and that made it so much more fun. It was really hard to continuously overlook the amount of sexism and misogyny in this book which is what ultimately made me lose a bit of interest and made me not care as much about the outcome of the story. I know obviously there are strong female characters written in, but I just don't remember any male character being described sexually as part of their descriptors. I don't think I'll continue because there are just so many more books to read where I don't necessarily have to navigate through those things from older books written by THE EVIL MANNNNN
Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
HAVE YOU SURVIVED LAPVONA? 🐑
This might be then most disturbing, unhinged, disgusting book I've come across and I literally couldn't stop. It's as if the author wrote with the intention of, "how can I make the reader squirm with every page?"
Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh needs all content warning on the planet. I just put everything as graphic because really the entire thing is graphic. Like, if you can think it, it's in there. This book is NOT for the weak and I don't even know how to rate it? What to think about it? It's the most problematic, twisted, fucked up macabre shit I've ever read.
Have you seen what happens in Midnight Mass when people blindly follow the priest? Add an isolated medieval fiefdom with starving peasants who are being controlled and tortured by their lord for funsies. Moshfegh finds a way to make your senses ignite. My stomach turned frequently from the descriptions of the rot and ruin.
Every single time I thought, "there is no way it gets worse," I was wrong. I used to be a person who couldn't watch scary movies or read horror books with the lights off but lately nothing has been scaring me... but this is? Lapvona is true horror to me because it's humanity at it's absolute worst.
This might be then most disturbing, unhinged, disgusting book I've come across and I literally couldn't stop. It's as if the author wrote with the intention of, "how can I make the reader squirm with every page?"
Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh needs all content warning on the planet. I just put everything as graphic because really the entire thing is graphic. Like, if you can think it, it's in there. This book is NOT for the weak and I don't even know how to rate it? What to think about it? It's the most problematic, twisted, fucked up macabre shit I've ever read.
Have you seen what happens in Midnight Mass when people blindly follow the priest? Add an isolated medieval fiefdom with starving peasants who are being controlled and tortured by their lord for funsies. Moshfegh finds a way to make your senses ignite. My stomach turned frequently from the descriptions of the rot and ruin.
Every single time I thought, "there is no way it gets worse," I was wrong. I used to be a person who couldn't watch scary movies or read horror books with the lights off but lately nothing has been scaring me... but this is? Lapvona is true horror to me because it's humanity at it's absolute worst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Excrement, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Abortion, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death of parent, Murder, Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Torture, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Incest, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Blood, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, and Death
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
Darlington having a glowing highlighter dick and not using it made me sad LOL
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't want to say too much because this is a sequel. I didn't love it as much as Hell Bent, but I truly think it might be a personal preference. Check the spoiler as for why!
I know this book is clearly about HELL and getting Darlington out of it, but it kind of started focusing more on the demon side of things and for whatever reason, I just don't like books about demons or angels. I know I know. It doesn't have anything to do with my star rating, as I know that's personal and not a critical review of the book.
But that aside, I think that the pacing of the book was a bit slow, there was too much info, then scenes were things that needed explanation were kind of brushed off. I loved the answers we did get and I felt satisfied with what I knew by the end.
Overall, the book came together and I enjoyed it and believe MOST people who like Leigh Bardugo will continue with this series.
But that aside, I think that the pacing of the book was a bit slow, there was too much info, then scenes were things that needed explanation were kind of brushed off. I loved the answers we did get and I felt satisfied with what I knew by the end.
Overall, the book came together and I enjoyed it and believe MOST people who like Leigh Bardugo will continue with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Suicide attempt, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Drug use, Car accident, and Blood
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
@celadonbooks sent me the ARC of beyond that, the sea by debut author Laura Spence-Ash. This book begins during WWII. We see a young Beatrix travel alone by ship to stay with the Gregorys in Boston to be further away from the war. During this time, Bea falls in love with the Gregorys vacation home in Maine, where most of her favorite childhood memories will live. When she later returns home to England, we begin to examine the lives shaped by the impact of love, time, and distance on both sides of the sea. I highly recommend reading this tender novel 🖤
Available March 21st, 2023!
Available March 21st, 2023!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Alcoholism
Minor: War, Death, and Death of parent
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
As time goes on and you dive deeper into these stories, it becomes harder to review them because you just have to read and find out! What I will say is that Martha Wells continues to surprise me with her ability to connect me so deeply to a character in such a short amount of time. I already love MB… it’s the connection to new ones she introduces! No two books are the same!!
This one hurt me the most but also may have healed me a little… I have to keep going! I listened to this entirely on audio through my Public Library!
This one hurt me the most but also may have healed me a little… I have to keep going! I listened to this entirely on audio through my Public Library!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Blood
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Martha Wells has done it again! Honestly when this book started, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the change of pace. It was a lot of feed communication and less world building but I shouldn't have judged Wells' genius too early. I found myself addicted to the story, so attached to ART (you'll find out why this is this character's name) and more questions leaving you wanting MORE! Onward to book 3! I can't stop!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gun violence
Moderate: Medical content and Blood
Minor: Kidnapping
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely blown away. How did Martha Wells get me to fall so deeply in love with this cast of characters, especially Murderbot, in 3 audiobook hours? I’m so invested in the storyline, MB’s character development, I am DESPERATE for more!
I just checked out all of the audiobooks from the library! BTW, Kevin R. Free (narrator) IS Murderbot! His voice and little nuisances are perfect. This is overall scifi genius.
I just checked out all of the audiobooks from the library! BTW, Kevin R. Free (narrator) IS Murderbot! His voice and little nuisances are perfect. This is overall scifi genius.
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
This book is ridiculous from start to finish. It’s giving RL Stine but for adults. There’s definitely a lot of creepiness, especially if you don’t like puppets or dolls 🤮 it’s not terrifying to where I can’t sleep at night but it’s creepy enough to where I had to talk about it with my friends.
One thing I liked was how it kept twisting and turning. At one point I legitimately was rolling my eyes at where it was going because I just couldn’t understand what was happening and then it came together 😂
If you like campy horror, this is for you 👻
One thing I liked was how it kept twisting and turning. At one point I legitimately was rolling my eyes at where it was going because I just couldn’t understand what was happening and then it came together 😂
If you like campy horror, this is for you 👻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Dementia, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Gore
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Car accident
Minor: Gun violence, Fatphobia, and Excrement