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starsnotshadows's reviews
77 reviews
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-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
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book wrecked me very much, but I was quite the fan.
I'm sure I will have more coherent thoughts later, but that's all I got for now
Editing to add more coherent thoughts: This book felt almost uncomfortably familiar. At times it was deeply triggering, and at times it was the most seen I have ever felt. Because of that, it was difficult for me to ever be frustrated with Gilda. But I can see where other readers would become frustrated or even dislike the book due to her actions. For me, it just felt like I was reading about another version of myself. Like I know some of these things are irrational, I know there are easier ways to go through life, but I genuinely don't know how to do that.
This book also helped me realize that I enjoy character driven novels more than I thought. I wasn't really expecting this to be character driven up front; I really thought there would be more mystery involved. But I was happy for the journey it took when I realized that wasn't what the book was about. I was also a fan of the meandering vignettes wrapped up in sections, I think I enjoy that novel structure quite a lot.
I am a little confused by how many reviews list this book as funny though. Maybe it's because I was wrapped up more in the emotional moments that I couldn't appreciate the humorous ones. Reflecting on it now, I do remember smiling and finding joy in the more light hearted moments. I suppose I just didn't find very many of those moments to be funny.
Either way, loved the book, may reread at some point but not for a very long time!
I'm sure I will have more coherent thoughts later, but that's all I got for now
Editing to add more coherent thoughts: This book felt almost uncomfortably familiar. At times it was deeply triggering, and at times it was the most seen I have ever felt. Because of that, it was difficult for me to ever be frustrated with Gilda. But I can see where other readers would become frustrated or even dislike the book due to her actions. For me, it just felt like I was reading about another version of myself. Like I know some of these things are irrational, I know there are easier ways to go through life, but I genuinely don't know how to do that.
This book also helped me realize that I enjoy character driven novels more than I thought. I wasn't really expecting this to be character driven up front; I really thought there would be more mystery involved. But I was happy for the journey it took when I realized that wasn't what the book was about. I was also a fan of the meandering vignettes wrapped up in sections, I think I enjoy that novel structure quite a lot.
I am a little confused by how many reviews list this book as funny though. Maybe it's because I was wrapped up more in the emotional moments that I couldn't appreciate the humorous ones. Reflecting on it now, I do remember smiling and finding joy in the more light hearted moments. I suppose I just didn't find very many of those moments to be funny.
Either way, loved the book, may reread at some point but not for a very long time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death
Minor: Homophobia
This book follows a young woman dealing with severe anxiety and depression, and it did feel quite triggering for those two conditions.
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book reminded me a bit of the first Deadpool movie, but with darker themes/characters. I really enjoyed it, but definitely not a whimsical superhero kind of story.
I think Schwab had excellent pacing, and she somehow made me love the characters despite being pretty morally gray.... like... dark gray lol.
I think Schwab had excellent pacing, and she somehow made me love the characters despite being pretty morally gray.... like... dark gray lol.
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
updating my rating! just realized I was too harsh onthis book and it's been bothering me lol
This book had a bit of a rough start for me in the sense that I felt I was critiquing a lot of things about it. But the mystery of it really picked up, and I enjoyed the twists.
I wish there had been a bit more about the friend group and the friendships itself. I wanted to care more about the friend group than I really did.
This book had a bit of a rough start for me in the sense that I felt I was critiquing a lot of things about it. But the mystery of it really picked up, and I enjoyed the twists.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Incredible sequel to Ninth House! loved learning more about the magic, loved the mystery and the puzzles and loved how Leigh Bardugo somehow finds a way to insert humor into such dark, tense moments.
I do think Hell Bent gets more gorey (or I could be completely forgetting how intense Ninth House was) so reader beware.
I do think Hell Bent gets more gorey (or I could be completely forgetting how intense Ninth House was) so reader beware.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Drug abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Very short and sad read, dealing with alzheimers in an old man and how it is viewed in his own mind. I thought it would feel more sad than it did, but it was still quite poignant.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
dark
reflective
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? No
3.5
This book was really interesting, but definitely not what I expected. It is less fantastical/whimsical than I was expecting. I did appreciate the reflectiveness of the main character and I will say, I did feel very compelled to start journaling again because this book reminded me how nice it is to have a record of your life and be able to read through your memories on paper rather than just your mind.
I think I would have enjoyed reading this book with the addition of another perspective rather than just the main character's. Well.. I don't know, I think the structure almost demands that we only have 1 perspective, but at the same time, I think it would have been more interesting with some other viewpoint.
I think what I really mean to say is that I wouldn't change anything about this book, because it would just make it an entirely different story. It just wasn't my cup of tea
updated to 3.5 because I just rated another book at 3.25 and was like... no way, I liked piranesi way better than that
I think I would have enjoyed reading this book with the addition of another perspective rather than just the main character's. Well.. I don't know, I think the structure almost demands that we only have 1 perspective, but at the same time, I think it would have been more interesting with some other viewpoint.
I think what I really mean to say is that I wouldn't change anything about this book, because it would just make it an entirely different story. It just wasn't my cup of tea
updated to 3.5 because I just rated another book at 3.25 and was like... no way, I liked piranesi way better than that
Small Angels by Lauren Owen
dark
tense
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
2.0
Just not my cup of tea at all. I think the premise has potential, but should be a much shorter book to be impactful. Many of the characters were not people I cared to root for, they weren't bad, they just weren't compelling.
The ending was not satisfying, and the "saviors" of the book felt like they came out of nowhere with little explanation
The ending was not satisfying, and the "saviors" of the book felt like they came out of nowhere with little explanation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder
Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh boy, this book is like someone took the "and that was my villain origin story" meme and made it a writing prompt and it WORKS! The sort of cultural reckoning in this setting reminds me of the beginning of The Incredibles when heroes are being held accountable for the collateral damage that they do.
There were times that I had to remember that the main character is of course on the side of villainy because some actions she tak aren't exactly morally sound. I'm so used to clear cut good guys that I momentarily thought it was a fault of the book, but I think it actually speaks to the writing that I was disagreeing with the main character in some points.
I think there was a good balance of seeing the villains' points while also recognizing where things started to push into grayer territory. I also think that the romance element was done well; it was compelling, but not overwhelming.
There were plenty of plot points that went different than I expected but not in a random/annoying way. And the ending was quite surprising as well. Would definitely reread and read more from this author!
There were times that I had to remember that the main character is of course on the side of villainy because some actions she tak aren't exactly morally sound. I'm so used to clear cut good guys that I momentarily thought it was a fault of the book, but I think it actually speaks to the writing that I was disagreeing with the main character in some points.
I think there was a good balance of seeing the villains' points while also recognizing where things started to push into grayer territory. I also think that the romance element was done well; it was compelling, but not overwhelming.
There were plenty of plot points that went different than I expected but not in a random/annoying way. And the ending was quite surprising as well. Would definitely reread and read more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Kidnapping
Minor: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
Body horror is mostly in the last chapter of the book. Very brief mention of suicide also in the last chapter. Kidnapping is not extensive but is mentioned a decent amount. Violence/injury/gore noted because you know, superhero fights
The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Maybe I've just got rose colored glasses on, but this book wraps up the story so well that I almost want to go increase my ratings on the first 2 books. Like, the story had to start as it was to get to this point so now I get why things had to be a certain way. The character definition and development is incredibly amazing. Grossman's character definition has always been pretty good, but now at the end of it all, I feel like I can really appreciate it better. The book was still a bit too violent at some points for my taste. But I think I don't care for really any violence, so that's not saying much. I just really liked it! I don't know what else to say, I think the pacing was great, the characters were great, it was all great.
This book splits the storyline between Fillory and Earth a bit, and I think Grossman wove them together brilliantly. I would be getting to the end of a chapter and thinking "please God let the next chapter follow this plot line, I really don't want a cliffhanger right now" and the book seemed to always follow what I was hoping for, so I think the arrangement was handled perfectly.
This book splits the storyline between Fillory and Earth a bit, and I think Grossman wove them together brilliantly. I would be getting to the end of a chapter and thinking "please God let the next chapter follow this plot line, I really don't want a cliffhanger right now" and the book seemed to always follow what I was hoping for, so I think the arrangement was handled perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
on the fat phobia, there's just a lot of jokes in an internal monologue at the expense of a fat character. and one comment made out loud