slimy's reviews
186 reviews

All the Young Dudes by MsKingBean89

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War

Witchborn by Nicholas Bowling

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Extremely enjoyable read. I was skeptical before reading this book because I typically don’t enjoy female characters written by men. I usually find them flat and boring and uninspired. But this book has a HOST of female characters, ranging in age, profession, and motivation that are so well-rounded it’s astounding. That is the main reason why this gets a 5 star rating from me. 

Very fast-paced story that never moves backwards. The main character rarely visits the same place twice, and is always running on the next thing. Good pace, steady conflict. Intelligent and well-researched use of historical characters and practices. Artful writing. I will be re-reading this book at some point in the future and look forward to enjoying it again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

Heavily descriptive witchcraft and necromancy

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

Beautiful syntax, but I had to stop reading because I knew where it was going. Most depressing thing I’ve ever read. Put me in a reading slump for about a month.

Gorgeous character development, immaculately complex and REAL.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Extreme self-harm, intrusive thoughts, suicide, depression, eating disorder

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

dark slow-paced

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

0.0

Look this is really really bad. Think of every underdeveloped toxic relationship trope carried out by the cringiest characters you can think of. The main character is supposed to be a college senior but she acts and talks like a 14 year old. Disgusting. 

Also. TERRIBLE editing. So many editing mistakes. Like it’s laughable. I can’t believe this book made it to publication with so many mistakes. It reads like a juvenile fanfic from 2012. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Meh. Underdeveloped characters, predictable plot, but basely entertaining. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment

The Gilded Chamber: A Novel of Queen Esther by Rebecca Kohn

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Really humanizes the person of Esther. We don’t often remember that Esther lived most her life as a concubine, Queen or not, to King Xerses which makes her willingness to put her life at risk to advocate for her people much more understandable. She was okay with risking her life because her life was one of captivity and regular assault. What is most inspiring about her character to me now is that she did not lose herself in becoming Queen. She remembered her people and remembered her God. The risk and conflict are turned internally and she becomes a resolute character that is independent of her surroundings. Esther remains Hadassah in the only way she can, in spirit.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Sexism, Slavery, Trafficking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War

Isolation by Bex-chan

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

3.0

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

3.0

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

4.0