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shellballenger's reviews
498 reviews
The Ritual by Shantel Tessier
dark
slow-paced
0.5
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: I've been seeing the L.O.R.D.S series around TikTok and in my Book Club group.
Overall rating: Nope. Nope. Nope. I lost brain cells reading 'The Ritual.' Did it make for an all right book to listen to while I was road-tripping? Eh, yeah. But I don't think authors of smutty books want you to literally bust out laughing every time their MMC and FMC attempt to be sexy. Save your brain cells and pick a different book.
Reader's Note: The one favor Tessier does us all is by openly listing all the trigger warnings on their website: https://shanteltessier.com/trigger-warnings/
What made me pick it up: I've been seeing the L.O.R.D.S series around TikTok and in my Book Club group.
Overall rating: Nope. Nope. Nope. I lost brain cells reading 'The Ritual.' Did it make for an all right book to listen to while I was road-tripping? Eh, yeah. But I don't think authors of smutty books want you to literally bust out laughing every time their MMC and FMC attempt to be sexy. Save your brain cells and pick a different book.
Reader's Note: The one favor Tessier does us all is by openly listing all the trigger warnings on their website: https://shanteltessier.com/trigger-warnings/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
challenging
dark
- 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? Yes
4.0
Type of read:> Commuter Read - reread
What made me pick it up: I continually make an effort to read banned books, and recently, I've wanted to get into rereading ones that I haven't picked up in a while.
Overall rating: A beautifully horrific story of good and evil, punishment and freedom.
'A Clockwork Orange' is not an easy read, both because of the content and because of Burgess's choice to write the story and incorporate Alex's own take on language throughout the tale. I've enjoyed 'A Clockwork Orange' in both print and audio versions, and I think they both bring something different to the table. This time, enjoying it as an audiobook, I thought Tom Hollander did an absolutely amazing job portraying Alex. I also was able to get my hands on a copy that had the originally unpublished final chapter, which I don't believe I've had the chance to read before. 'A Clockwork Orange' is not a leisure read; it's a book bound to make you think and feel.
Reader's Notes: 'A Clockwork Orange' includes themes of death, dying, rape, assault, torture, mental health disorders, mental health treatment, suicide, and institutionalization.
What made me pick it up: I continually make an effort to read banned books, and recently, I've wanted to get into rereading ones that I haven't picked up in a while.
Overall rating: A beautifully horrific story of good and evil, punishment and freedom.
'A Clockwork Orange' is not an easy read, both because of the content and because of Burgess's choice to write the story and incorporate Alex's own take on language throughout the tale. I've enjoyed 'A Clockwork Orange' in both print and audio versions, and I think they both bring something different to the table. This time, enjoying it as an audiobook, I thought Tom Hollander did an absolutely amazing job portraying Alex. I also was able to get my hands on a copy that had the originally unpublished final chapter, which I don't believe I've had the chance to read before. 'A Clockwork Orange' is not a leisure read; it's a book bound to make you think and feel.
Reader's Notes: 'A Clockwork Orange' includes themes of death, dying, rape, assault, torture, mental health disorders, mental health treatment, suicide, and institutionalization.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
The Stars Turned Inside Out by Nova Jacobs
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Type of read: Commuter Read
What made me pick it up: I think I found this on one of my library lists, but honestly, I'm not certain.
Overall rating: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' is a slow starter, but once you get into it, it's got quite a few twists and turns that keep you guessing. There was never a time when I was reading that I was actually able to guess the ending, which I always take as a good sign. There is time-hopping between the chapters, but Jacobs did everyone a favor with the titles clearly letting you know if it was 'then' or 'now.' I'm very happy I stumbled across this book and would absolutely recommend it to those who aren't afraid to get a little technical with their reading, especially when it comes with a good ending.
Reader's Notes: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' includes themes of death and dying and discussions of suicide and mental health, including depression and the treatment of depression.
What made me pick it up: I think I found this on one of my library lists, but honestly, I'm not certain.
Overall rating: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' is a slow starter, but once you get into it, it's got quite a few twists and turns that keep you guessing. There was never a time when I was reading that I was actually able to guess the ending, which I always take as a good sign. There is time-hopping between the chapters, but Jacobs did everyone a favor with the titles clearly letting you know if it was 'then' or 'now.' I'm very happy I stumbled across this book and would absolutely recommend it to those who aren't afraid to get a little technical with their reading, especially when it comes with a good ending.
Reader's Notes: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' includes themes of death and dying and discussions of suicide and mental health, including depression and the treatment of depression.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Pucking Around by Emily Rath
slow-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? Yes
2.5
Type of read: Commuter Read
What made me pick it up: I had Spotify hours and decided to see what all the fuss was about.
Overall rating: Let's be real...this isn't a book with a plot, it's literary porn. I do think it helped to have read the novella prequel because it gave a good amount of context for how Rachel and Jake meet.
Things I hated about 'Pucking Around:'
- Rachel outing Kaden (and realistically Jake as well) to Mars, relationship or not, that's not the vibe.
- Mars all the sudden going from 'I'm not sharing' to 'Can I touch your dick?!'
-Jake going from perfect golden retriever to whiny b*tch.
-There's a particular scene with Mars that makes me want to gag. Let's just say there are some hygiene questions that just make me squirm.
-It's pronounced GIF, with a G, as in Graphics Interchange Format. It's not peanut butter; it's a graphic.
Things I liked about 'Pucking Around:'
-It was an escape from reality for roughly 20 hours of audio listening...
That's really it. I'm not mad that I read it, but I'm also not going to be scrambling to pick up the next book in the series. Overall, not my vibe.
Reader's note: I ran out of Spotify listening hours about halfway through 'Pucking Around,' I probably would have finished it much sooner, and while I liked the book, I didn't feel like it was worth paying for Spotify top ups when I only had a week to wait for my hours to renew (and a giant list of books I'd already cracked opened). Also, if it wasn't apparent, 'Pucking Around' includes sex, lots of sex (all consensual) with multiple partners - individually and all together.
What made me pick it up: I had Spotify hours and decided to see what all the fuss was about.
Overall rating: Let's be real...this isn't a book with a plot, it's literary porn. I do think it helped to have read the novella prequel because it gave a good amount of context for how Rachel and Jake meet.
Things I hated about 'Pucking Around:'
-
-
-Jake going from perfect golden retriever to whiny b*tch.
-There's a particular scene with
-It's pronounced GIF, with a G, as in Graphics Interchange Format. It's not peanut butter; it's a graphic.
Things I liked about 'Pucking Around:'
-It was an escape from reality for roughly 20 hours of audio listening...
That's really it. I'm not mad that I read it, but I'm also not going to be scrambling to pick up the next book in the series. Overall, not my vibe.
Reader's note: I ran out of Spotify listening hours about halfway through 'Pucking Around,' I probably would have finished it much sooner, and while I liked the book, I didn't feel like it was worth paying for Spotify top ups when I only had a week to wait for my hours to renew (and a giant list of books I'd already cracked opened). Also, if it wasn't apparent, 'Pucking Around' includes sex, lots of sex (all consensual) with multiple partners - individually and all together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman
lighthearted
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? No
2.5
Type of read: Beach/Lunch Read.
What made me pick it up: I got 'The Answer is No' as part of Amazon First Reads (it was included as a short story).
Overall rating: I've tried to read some from Backman in the past (Beartown series), and I was never able to get fully sucked into the story. I'm not sure 'The Answer is No' was the best answer for that, but it did help me get a bit more of a glimpse into the cadence and style of Backman's writing. I'm not sure that I could do it for a full series, but after reading 'The Answer is No,' I'm willing to give it a try. Overall, this is a simple book about the importance of taking a break. It's meh.
What made me pick it up: I got 'The Answer is No' as part of Amazon First Reads (it was included as a short story).
Overall rating: I've tried to read some from Backman in the past (Beartown series), and I was never able to get fully sucked into the story. I'm not sure 'The Answer is No' was the best answer for that, but it did help me get a bit more of a glimpse into the cadence and style of Backman's writing. I'm not sure that I could do it for a full series, but after reading 'The Answer is No,' I'm willing to give it a try. Overall, this is a simple book about the importance of taking a break. It's meh.
Sugar, Baby by Celine Saintclare
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Type of read: Commuter Read
What made me pick it up: I think the title and the cover caught my attention, along with one of my friends talking about Celine Saintclare's books.
Overall rating: I really liked the concept of 'Sugar, Baby.' I also liked that it wasn't focused primarily on the sexual part of sugaring (don't get me wrong, there's sex, but it's not the main thread of the book) but on the actual relationship-building and self-exploration of Agnes's journey into finding herself, her joy, and how she processed her experience in the sugaring world. This was another quick weekend read that caught my attention with the author's name recognition and the cover. I'm not mad at it, but honestly, it seems forgettable, and I don't think I'd recommend it. It didn't feel like there was a punch factor, and at the end of the book, it almost seemed like Saintclare was working too hard for a powerful, positive, woman-focused happy ending.
What made me pick it up: I think the title and the cover caught my attention, along with one of my friends talking about Celine Saintclare's books.
Overall rating: I really liked the concept of 'Sugar, Baby.' I also liked that it wasn't focused primarily on the sexual part of sugaring (don't get me wrong, there's sex, but it's not the main thread of the book) but on the actual relationship-building and self-exploration of Agnes's journey into finding herself, her joy, and how she processed her experience in the sugaring world. This was another quick weekend read that caught my attention with the author's name recognition and the cover. I'm not mad at it, but honestly, it seems forgettable, and I don't think I'd recommend it. It didn't feel like there was a punch factor, and at the end of the book, it almost seemed like Saintclare was working too hard for a powerful, positive, woman-focused happy ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Alcohol
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
Type of read: Beach Read.
What made me pick it up: I got 'The Fall Risk' as part of Amazon First Reads for February (it was included as a short story).
Overall rating: This was cute. It is short, sweet, and a perfect beach read. I don't know if I would seek out any of Jimenez's longer-form books (the writing style wasn't completely my vibe), but I'm definitely not mad about this one.
What made me pick it up: I got 'The Fall Risk' as part of Amazon First Reads for February (it was included as a short story).
Overall rating: This was cute. It is short, sweet, and a perfect beach read. I don't know if I would seek out any of Jimenez's longer-form books (the writing style wasn't completely my vibe), but I'm definitely not mad about this one.
They All Had A Reason: A rumor. A secret. A lie. A murder. by Michele Leathers
- 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
0.5
Type of read: Commuter Read
What made me pick it up: I believe I saw 'They All Had a Reason' on one of the wishlists of a fellow book club member. I'm also using it as my book for the TN R.E.A.D.s January prompt of 'read a book you received as a gift' since one of my wonderful book club friends sent this one to me!
Overall rating: Let's get something out of the way first, 'They All Had A Reason' reads extremely YA. And I'm not talking high school level YA; I'm talking middle school YA. I feel like 5th-grade me would have <i> absolutely </i> gotten this from the Scholastic Book Fair and purposely carried it around on the outside of my trapper keeper because it helped me look angsty and mysterious.
I read this book as a tangible paperback, and my brain was screaming. Unless it's poetry or lyrical verse, I prefer a very traditionally published tangible book. I'm not talking about sprayed edges or paper choice; those are both things I can fully support to make your book different...I'm talking font, font size, and margin. There was something off about the printing of 'They All Had A Reason' that just gave me a headache and made it hard to stay focused and read comfortably for any extended period of time. Honestly, I'm going to blame the tiny margins and the fact that everything looked like it was smooshed on the page and bleeding through the other side.
On to the actual content of the book....oof. No bueno. No part of this book makes sense. The actions the characters take, the choices they make, and the progression of relationships. I just don't get it. These are supposedly sophomores to seniors in high school, and they're acting like grade schoolers. I feel like this book has potential, but it needs an editor, some assistance with the storyline, and overall, just a zhuzh to even get it remotely close to a successful book.
What made me pick it up: I believe I saw 'They All Had a Reason' on one of the wishlists of a fellow book club member. I'm also using it as my book for the TN R.E.A.D.s January prompt of 'read a book you received as a gift' since one of my wonderful book club friends sent this one to me!
Overall rating: Let's get something out of the way first, 'They All Had A Reason' reads extremely YA. And I'm not talking high school level YA; I'm talking middle school YA. I feel like 5th-grade me would have <i> absolutely </i> gotten this from the Scholastic Book Fair and purposely carried it around on the outside of my trapper keeper because it helped me look angsty and mysterious.
I read this book as a tangible paperback, and my brain was screaming. Unless it's poetry or lyrical verse, I prefer a very traditionally published tangible book. I'm not talking about sprayed edges or paper choice; those are both things I can fully support to make your book different...I'm talking font, font size, and margin. There was something off about the printing of 'They All Had A Reason' that just gave me a headache and made it hard to stay focused and read comfortably for any extended period of time. Honestly, I'm going to blame the tiny margins and the fact that everything looked like it was smooshed on the page and bleeding through the other side.
On to the actual content of the book....oof. No bueno. No part of this book makes sense. The actions the characters take, the choices they make, and the progression of relationships. I just don't get it. These are supposedly sophomores to seniors in high school, and they're acting like grade schoolers. I feel like this book has potential, but it needs an editor, some assistance with the storyline, and overall, just a zhuzh to even get it remotely close to a successful book.
That One Night by Emily Rath
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Type of read: Commuter Read
What made me pick it up: I used an Audible credit for 'Pucking Around,' and 'That One Night' came included as a prequel.
Overall rating: Let's be real...this isn't a book with a plot, it's literary porn. I'm not mad about it. Sometimes, you just need a good smutty book.
What made me pick it up: I used an Audible credit for 'Pucking Around,' and 'That One Night' came included as a prequel.
Overall rating: Let's be real...this isn't a book with a plot, it's literary porn. I'm not mad about it. Sometimes, you just need a good smutty book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: BookTok made me start the series, and Yarros' cliffhanger in 'Iron Flame' brought me back.
Overall rating: The Empyrean series continually reminds me that for every ten books recommended on BookTok, only one or two are going to be good. Did I like 'Onyx Storm'? Yes. Do I feel like it could have been...more/better/clearer/focused? Also yes. There's a lot of world-building (which I like) and character development (which I also like), but overall, it felt a bit drawn out. I'm struggling with the fact that this honker of a book said so much but also so little. I also don't understand how bringing up the wards with the 7th dragon kind was such a thing in 'Iron Flame' and then all the sudden, 'Ope, we got it guys, no big deal!' in 'Onyx Storm.' An entire book was literally based around the wards, people died, but don't worry, the Irids got you. Argh!
Here's my biggest issue, editing. We saw it in 'Fourth Wing' and 'Iron Flame,' and I absolutely hate that it's continuing with 'Oynx Storm.' Yarros desperately needed another pass from an editor on Onyx Storm. There are a few times when the writing just doesn't make sense, is repetitive, or is absolutely giving too much*, and this is just what I was able to pick up from the audiobook. I have a feeling that if I had a tangible copy, I would have been going absolutely bonkers. I recently read 'And then? And then? What else?' and there's a part in there where Handler talks about how one of his mentors would simply write 'DB' in certain sections. DB meaning 'do better.' As in the writing just doesn't feel right and needs a tweak. I just wanted to scrawl DB throughout Onyx Storm. For example, in chapter 12 when Yarros writes, "his eyes sparkle and red veins pulse at the corner of his eyes." This type of phrasing happens frequently throughout the book and drives me bonkers. If his eyes are sparkling, and we're already focused on the eyes, I don't need to be told again that the red veins are pulsing...at the eyes.
All that aside, 'Onyx Storm' continued to sink me deeper into the crazy world of dragon riders and venin. There were times when I audibly gasped and couldn't believe the turns the story was taking. There were times when my heart hurt because of the emotion and intimacy Yarros was able to convey between characters. And there were times I wanted to scream into the void because the book made me so incredibly angry at how the story was progressing. Overall, I would say that all of that makes it a good read. And (as if I wasn't before), I'm fully invested and will be anxiously awaiting #4.
Reader's Note: 'Onyx Storm' includes themes of war, death, dying, torture, injury content including blood, and sex. I'll also add, as a copy-paste from my review of 'Fourth Wing' and 'Iron Flame' since it also applies to 'Onyx Storm:' There's not a lack of sex. Descriptive, steamy, wall shattering sex. And I think what makes it so good in 'Onyx Storm' is the intimacy, specifically between Violet and Xaden, that makes it more than just physical.
<i>*I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't want authors to tell me how to feel. I want authors to write in a way that automatically makes me feel what they want me to feel. </i>
What made me pick it up: BookTok made me start the series, and Yarros' cliffhanger in 'Iron Flame' brought me back.
Overall rating: The Empyrean series continually reminds me that for every ten books recommended on BookTok, only one or two are going to be good. Did I like 'Onyx Storm'? Yes. Do I feel like it could have been...more/better/clearer/focused? Also yes. There's a lot of world-building (which I like) and character development (which I also like), but overall, it felt a bit drawn out. I'm struggling with the fact that this honker of a book said so much but also so little.
Here's my biggest issue, editing. We saw it in 'Fourth Wing' and 'Iron Flame,' and I absolutely hate that it's continuing with 'Oynx Storm.' Yarros desperately needed another pass from an editor on Onyx Storm. There are a few times when the writing just doesn't make sense, is repetitive, or is absolutely giving too much*, and this is just what I was able to pick up from the audiobook. I have a feeling that if I had a tangible copy, I would have been going absolutely bonkers. I recently read 'And then? And then? What else?' and there's a part in there where Handler talks about how one of his mentors would simply write 'DB' in certain sections. DB meaning 'do better.' As in the writing just doesn't feel right and needs a tweak. I just wanted to scrawl DB throughout Onyx Storm. For example, in chapter 12 when Yarros writes, "his eyes sparkle and red veins pulse at the corner of his eyes." This type of phrasing happens frequently throughout the book and drives me bonkers. If his eyes are sparkling, and we're already focused on the eyes, I don't need to be told again that the red veins are pulsing...at the eyes.
All that aside, 'Onyx Storm' continued to sink me deeper into the crazy world of dragon riders and venin. There were times when I audibly gasped and couldn't believe the turns the story was taking. There were times when my heart hurt because of the emotion and intimacy Yarros was able to convey between characters. And there were times I wanted to scream into the void because the book made me so incredibly angry at how the story was progressing. Overall, I would say that all of that makes it a good read. And (as if I wasn't before), I'm fully invested and will be anxiously awaiting #4.
Reader's Note: 'Onyx Storm' includes themes of war, death, dying, torture, injury content including blood, and sex. I'll also add, as a copy-paste from my review of 'Fourth Wing' and 'Iron Flame' since it also applies to 'Onyx Storm:' There's not a lack of sex. Descriptive, steamy, wall shattering sex. And I think what makes it so good in 'Onyx Storm' is the intimacy, specifically between Violet and Xaden, that makes it more than just physical.
<i>*I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't want authors to tell me how to feel. I want authors to write in a way that automatically makes me feel what they want me to feel. </i>
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail