shysheepys's reviews
70 reviews

Bug Boys by Laura Knetzger

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Death of parent

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

challenging dark emotional 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

I've never cried so hard reading a book. Just because Silas is so... relatable? In his thoughts and feelings? There are some things he thinks about that I've never been able to put into words for myself. 

This book was so intriguing that I sat and read it over a 5 hour span and did not want to move. Though I did break it up, I stayed up late two days in a row to finish it. I absolutely did not want to put it down. It is, however, not for the faint of heart. 

Honestly, I don't know how this is considered a YA novel other than the characters being in their teens. I'm an avid horror reader, and this book made me cringe so hard every other scene. In a good way? Its beautifully written and the story and plot are top tier, too. Even some twists I didn't see coming.

The ending reminds me of this tweet thats been stuck in my head, something along the lines of "If you're trans, you have to keep on living. If you accomplish anything, good. But you have to keep on living." And really, yeah, sometimes thats all you can do.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Dysphoria

The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring

5.0

The third book brings the first two together so well.

Seeing all the characters grow up over time is so heartwarming. I was so worried at the end of the 2nd book that Gretta's dragon would never be happy again. I'm so glad it just needed some love and companionship

I love these with my whole heart!!

The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Catboy by Benji Nate

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

Brother by Ania Ahlborn

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

A twist I didn't expect. This is scary, tense, depressing, and I couldn't put it down. I appreciate the shift of point-of-views to keep you on your toes as well as to break up the really stressful parts.

I feel so bad for Michael!! And Alice too!! I wanted nothing but the best for the two poor kids.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Death of parent

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really, really enjoyed reading this. Getting in the mindset of a teenager, on the verge of losing their friends to college, but seemingly distracted by the possibility of their local plaything coming to life was crazy. Reading the MC's rationalizations about why they did what they did was so interesting, gives a new perspective on how things are handled. Having read Stephen Graham Jones' My Heart Is a Chainsaw first, you can definately tell that it is the same writer (in a good way!) I also appreciated that this was short and sweet.

Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is a spoiler:

I didn't like that Shanna just magically wasn't dead. It does give us the same shock that the MC feels when we realize that she was alive. But why didn't she come out of hiding beforehand? Before she knew her friends were dying, why would she have stayed in the woods? Why would she randomly come out later? That part was off putting in my opinion. How did she even avoid getting killed by the semi??

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Murder

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

Very good- just don't read print often enough and lost interest.

My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious 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

4.0

I love Jade Daniels and I want nothing but the best for her. 
I'm personally not a slasher fan, but I love horror and wrote a few college papers on slasher tropes and the theories behind slashers and why slashers are popular. I loved being able to read this without having to think to hard about the things Jade was talking about, because I already knew them too, and it all made sense. For someone that hadn't done research on slashers, though? I can't imagine them being able to read this easily. 

But anyway, I love Jade Daniels. I love this book. I can't wait to read the next.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Drug use, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism