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shereadytoread's Reviews (821)
When you read a Shrek parody romance, you’re not expecting much. My expectations were correct.
dark
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a great MG horror in so many ways. It's pretty much gateway body horror by the last act, and maintains as a pretty good psychological horror before that point. It's extremely relatable theme wise and touches on peer pressure, family expectations, and identity formation.
Honestly my biggest (and really only) issue is that there a big secret about the MC's family that is revealed after being hinted at for a big part of the book and once the secret was revealed, it was very underwhelming. It isn't actually related to the horror at all, so it was fine but I was a bit disappointed by that build up.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from the publisher. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
Honestly my biggest (and really only) issue is that there a big secret about the MC's family that is revealed after being hinted at for a big part of the book and once the secret was revealed, it was very underwhelming. It isn't actually related to the horror at all, so it was fine but I was a bit disappointed by that build up.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from the publisher. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body horror, Death
Minor: Toxic relationship
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of the most unique and enjoyable books I’ve ever read. The mix of fantastical and historical elements into a modern story of identity and growth made it a page turning read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
I am a casual Simpsons fan. I have seen most of the treehouse of horror and the movie. I attempted the entire series but that didn’t work out. But this book isn’t just for Simpsons fans (even though they’ll probably love it). It’s about the formation of a new network, a new popular type of media, and the journey that a creative team can go on when they are given the space and freedom to do so. The book tells the full history of The Simpsons, which also requires telling the history of the beginning of Fox Network, a few presidential elections, changing societal interests, inequities within the TV industry, and more. We also get a history of the phenomenon that is adult animation. I loved discovering a few sayings and cultural references that I was already aware of, but had no idea they originated with the simpsons. I read this book video audio and I think the narrator was solid. I would have love a few voice clips from some of the referenced interviews/news spots but I understand why they weren’t there.
I think whether you are a Simpsons fan or not, if you have any interests in the TV industry, you’ll love this one.
(Also the next time I hit Simpson’s World at Universal Studios, I can appreciate all the details a little more).
Disclosure: I received a gifted copy from the publisher and an ALC from NetGalley. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
I think whether you are a Simpsons fan or not, if you have any interests in the TV industry, you’ll love this one.
(Also the next time I hit Simpson’s World at Universal Studios, I can appreciate all the details a little more).
Disclosure: I received a gifted copy from the publisher and an ALC from NetGalley. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
emotional
I loved this book! They perfectly mixed instant heat and slow burn. The relationship between the two characters felt like it evolved naturally. They each had great complex relationships with their own family, friends and outside characters that made both POVs equally interesting and enjoyable. It was my first time reading an F1 romance so I have no idea if those pieces are accurate, but I enjoyed it even as someone with the most basic knowledge of F1 racing.
Disclosure: I received a gifted copy from the publisher. No review was required and all reviews are my own.
Disclosure: I received a gifted copy from the publisher. No review was required and all reviews are my own.
mysterious
tense
In my opinion it’s one of the better fear street books. Plausible enough to be realistic, a good number of red herrings, and teens just unhinged enough that any one of them could be the killer.
The romance and family aspects were great. Its an urban (mafia??? they don't use that word but I guess that's what it is) romance. It has a fair amount of violence and the MMC is not a "good" person due to their position and actions. It had me in from start to finish. I stayed up half the night reading and finished it first thing in the morning when I got up.
Our MMC has ADHD and OCD and I think there was an honest attempt at good representation but it didn't quite land. It gets a good amount of things right, but a lot wrong; and it falls in that trope where some symptoms seem to conveniently disappear as a result of the love.
I'm excited for the next book but I wish it was about a different character. I'll be keeping up with the series to see if I get that couple in a future book!
Our MMC has ADHD and OCD and I think there was an honest attempt at good representation but it didn't quite land. It gets a good amount of things right, but a lot wrong; and it falls in that trope where some symptoms seem to conveniently disappear as a result of the love.
I'm excited for the next book but I wish it was about a different character. I'll be keeping up with the series to see if I get that couple in a future book!
dark
tense
Having seen the movie a bunch of times, I knew what to expect going into this book, but it still had enough difference that some pieces were still surprising. I think the book has a strong plot but doesn't invest enough in it's characters. They are all pretty flat and read a bit like archetypes stuck in the story. There isn't really growth or change, what you see is what you get. The most interesting part of the book is the setting and the survival attempts. Watching the group try to hold out through what seems inescapable is difficult. I think that alone makes it enjoyable and worth the read. This could have easily been a 5 star read with more character investment.
Main differences from movie (spoiler-free): extra characters in the book, additional detail to characters, additional body horror moments.
Main differences from movie (spoiler-free): extra characters in the book, additional detail to characters, additional body horror moments.
This book felt like it had all the conventions of a good romance, but didn't feel formulaic. Some of the family portions were a little too heavy-handed in my opinion. I understood the commentary on fatphobia and societal expectations of women, but it felt like beating a dead horse at some points. The love interest relationship was so good and when we FINALLY got some spice, it was very well done.
I am excited to jump to the next book in this series!
I am excited to jump to the next book in this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
dark
A creature feature with a major twist. I loved this book! Gory but also introspective.
Books with no true villain and no true hero are always the best to me.
Books with no true villain and no true hero are always the best to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence