slimy's reviews
185 reviews

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Really unsatisfying ending, and a poorly written female main-ish character. Has the “I’m damaged goods” trope. Disappointing considering I’ve thought the female main characters in the previous books in this series were dynamic and well-written.

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

So viscerally filled with gore. A little sickening. Beautifully written. Very atmospheric. Gorgeous language.

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major

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challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

if Taylor Swift's "right where you left me" and "marjorie" had a fictional baby... this book would be it.

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall

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informative fast-paced

3.0

I am begging for a cited source, please. This book is 100% an opinion piece, which is fine, and I understand the author's thought process, but its really just all opinion until you start citing sources. And when you write a book jabbing a finger into the chest of white Americans and institutionalized racism, you should cite your sources.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

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slow-paced

1.0

I'm quite surprised that this book was as bad as it was, considering the reputation it has.
Honestly I can't think of another book I would say engages more with unchecked privilege. It's truly astounding the wealth that informs Didion's entire process of grief, and it does not ingratiate her to the reader. Nothing feels more distant, more foreign than listening to her explain how she stayed in her "oscar-winning friend's" house while her daughter was in the hospital, or how she was flown from NYC to LA on a moments notice in a friend's private jet. I guess I'm glad she had the privilege of experiencing loss and grief in this way- but I really don't care to read a book about her experience. It it nothing most people can relate to, and I don't know why this book was published, honestly. It's not like underneath all the privilege there are profound truths about grief and the human condition.... she literally just outlines intimate details of both her husband's and her daughter's medical care. I really don't care about the history of the name of the infection your daughter got in the hospital. Like I said - there is nothing profound here. This book is just a very privileged woman experiencing grief. It's not relatable, it's not profound, and it's not even interesting.

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

A solid mix of dreamy 80's high school drama and ... the literal exorcist. This book is super original, and moves quickly. Centers on friendship. Hard to say what atmosphere to best read this in... not a cozy, autumnal, halloween-y read, but I don't have another place to put it.

I'd like to rate this book higher based on originality and great characters, but personally it's too far into the actual "horror" category for me personally.

Content Warnings