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stellabyproxy's reviews
102 reviews
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Mediating your own victimhood is just part of being a woman. Using it or denying it, hating it or loving it, and all of these at once. Being a victim is boring for everyone involved.”
acts of desperation follows a nameless narrator as she falls in obsession with a man named ciaran. we follow her recollection of the fast-paced romance, toxic codependency, abusive control and abrupt ending(s).
nolan’s writing reads like a frantic train of thought, a private journal, as we take a look at desire, impulsivity, promiscuity, abuse, sexual assault and self-destruction in women (basically, a long list of trigger and content warnings). the complexities of the lenses through which the actions of the protagonist are viewed allows for an unsettling look into the female psyche. nolan has a strong character voice that fully immerses the reader into the storyline, with her choice of an unnamed narrator, written in first person, creating a thin barrier between the story and the readers’ experience. there is much beauty to be found in her commentary on topics of ageism, love, lust, infidelity, mental health and power, making for lots of delicately devastating quotes.
acts of desperation is perfectly poetic, a beautifully intrusive descent into madness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, and Sexism
Minor: Addiction, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Death
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Going into this I was slightly less hopeful after the first book. I thought McManus’ writing was adequate but nothing spectacular. This book felt slightly more interesting to me than the first but I was slightly disappointed in how easily I was able to guess the plot twists. Overall a decent book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Grief, Death, Murder, Cancer, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Stalking, Suicide, and Blood
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Trapped by Vera Hollins, Vera Micic
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Getting through this book was honestly so difficult, the writing just wasn’t there for me. The internal dialogue was very choppy and the writing just wasn’t all that descriptive.
The writing felt more like a play than a book. No imagery or imagination whatsoever. And it seems that all Hollins does is give characters the most traumatic experiences imaginable and make them abusive. Outside of all the horrible things that are described in her books, there isn’t much there. There’s no substance, everything is just shock value and negative depictions. Everything is dependent on trauma and the manner in which she throws sexual assault into every book lacks any sort of sensitivity to the gravity of the act.
I don’t think I can finish this series, her writing just isn’t meant for me. Maybe when I was still 13, reading trauma stories on Wattpad to distract myself from my own mental health issues I would’ve loved it. But not now, and probably never.
The writing felt more like a play than a book. No imagery or imagination whatsoever. And it seems that all Hollins does is give characters the most traumatic experiences imaginable and make them abusive. Outside of all the horrible things that are described in her books, there isn’t much there. There’s no substance, everything is just shock value and negative depictions. Everything is dependent on trauma and the manner in which she throws sexual assault into every book lacks any sort of sensitivity to the gravity of the act.
I don’t think I can finish this series, her writing just isn’t meant for me. Maybe when I was still 13, reading trauma stories on Wattpad to distract myself from my own mental health issues I would’ve loved it. But not now, and probably never.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Murder, Rape, Self harm, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Fatphobia
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was very hopeful going into this. Having come out of a reading slump I needed a book that could hold my attention and have a compelling story. One that would leave me at the edge of my seat, my breath caught and my eyes glued to the pages.
What I got was a decent book that was well written but didn’t live up to the expectations that all the reviews I’d read had built up. It was, sadly, rather dull and nothing about it made me feel like I knew the characters in any way. Sager managed to write the most tragic of character backstories while making the reader constantly feel like the Jules was just out of reach. There was barely any emotional connection built with the characters and maybe that was intentional, a way of truly depicting Jules’ trust issues. But it didn’t feel like I was observing a story unfold in real-time, but rather like I was hearing it relayed by someone who was neither there, nor knew the characters personally. Like the entire story was neighbourhood gossip.
What I got was a decent book that was well written but didn’t live up to the expectations that all the reviews I’d read had built up. It was, sadly, rather dull and nothing about it made me feel like I knew the characters in any way. Sager managed to write the most tragic of character backstories while making the reader constantly feel like the Jules was just out of reach. There was barely any emotional connection built with the characters and maybe that was intentional, a way of truly depicting Jules’ trust issues. But it didn’t feel like I was observing a story unfold in real-time, but rather like I was hearing it relayed by someone who was neither there, nor knew the characters personally. Like the entire story was neighbourhood gossip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
Minor: Blood, Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Suicide
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
emotional
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Minor: Car accident and Terminal illness
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
2.0
Upon first picking up The Layover I was happy to take a break from mystery and thriller and dive head first into some lighthearted romance. What I didn’t expect was to grow and question my own upbringing and life goals alongside Ava. Although initially finding her rather annoying and being irritated by her self-victimisation, she slowly grew on me and eventually I was not only rooting for this coworker enemies to lovers romance but for her individual growth.
I was not expecting the little twist that came with Alexander’s surprise entrance however it allowed Jack to have his own growth and healing from past betrayals, just as Ava had. And seeing Gen and Pilot Paul’s evolution, although not as majorly documented, was adorable.
Overall a short and sweet read.
I was not expecting the little twist that came with Alexander’s surprise entrance however it allowed Jack to have his own growth and healing from past betrayals, just as Ava had. And seeing Gen and Pilot Paul’s evolution, although not as majorly documented, was adorable.
Overall a short and sweet read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
3.0
Pippa Fitz-Amobi… This little look into the catalyst for Pip’s EPQ and the moment that would change her life forever was truly captivating. The moment of realisation she has when she finally decides what topic ignites her soul is a collective “aha” moment. And I had to agree with her, her theory for Reginald Rent’s murder was much more elaborate and interesting.
Jackson also provides a deeper look into the dynamics of her friendship group and Jamie and Connor’s sibling relationships which was both informative and fun. Definitely would recommend reading this book after the other three, despite the fact that it’s timeline precedes the first book. It allows for a better understanding of who the characters are and makes it a lot more fun seeing the little details of their interactions and behaviours.
Jackson also provides a deeper look into the dynamics of her friendship group and Jamie and Connor’s sibling relationships which was both informative and fun. Definitely would recommend reading this book after the other three, despite the fact that it’s timeline precedes the first book. It allows for a better understanding of who the characters are and makes it a lot more fun seeing the little details of their interactions and behaviours.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Murder, and Terminal illness