sarahweyand's reviews
378 reviews

We Kept Her in the Cellar by W.R. Gorman

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This was a weird cosmic horror that I read quickly and was interested by - a pretty intriguing adaptation. However this was hands-down the grossest book I've ever read. Absolutely queasy on my rides into work, which is a baffling in juxtaposition to its very simplistic YA writing style and Goodreads label. A plot-driven book with little character development, heavy on telling over showing that suddenly decides to get REAL descriptive whenever gore was involved. Also, I was constantly questioning character's choices (or lack of action and critical thinking).

At the end of the day - read this if you want to. Check the content warnings. But don't ever pretend I recommended it to you,
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Weird and unsettling and almost certainly better as a physical book than the audiobook I listened to. The majority of the story is dialogue and I missed out on lots trying to figure out who was speaking, as it often went unspecified and changed scenes rapidly. Intriguing though, would definitely read this author again. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions by Jim McCloskey, John Grisham

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Honestly a really good book, but simply can’t do it in my current mental state.
Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

2.5

For someone who hates men and values mental health, Anna Marie Tendler does quite the job of basing her memoir off of all her relationships with men and not doing a lot of introspection. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

 certainly not a horror, but very strange, slightly haunting, and well written. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad 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? No

4.25

Middle/high school me would have for sure rated this a 5; the characters are slightly more frustrating as an adult. Nonetheless, an interesting and important look at one of the less talked about sides of World War 2. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce

Go to review page

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

2.75

I can't remember much about this book and that's probably because I zoned out for a lot of it. Interesting idea, mundane execution. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative sad 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? Yes

5.0

Best book of the year, easily. Still can't stop thinking about it; maybe I never will be able to. Not the lightest read but scary, informative, and captivating. A must-read if you're in the right headspace to do so. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Similar vein to ROGUE but honestly I liked this one more. A creepy slow burn with just enough body horror to make me wince but not enough to make me feel like I needed a shower. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Y/N by Esther Yi

Go to review page

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

1.75

Devastatingly overwritten, absurdist, and confusing. A book about a really interesting subject that seemed to be satire but took itself far too seriously. The sections of fanfiction could have been compelling but instead felt unnecessary. Should have taken a cue from the low rating but wanted to be optimistic; live and learn. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings