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thecaffeinatedlibrary's Reviews (290)
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
The Frangitelli Mirror is a deliciously dark, gothic YA horror that feels like a feature length episode of Charmed or Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Rose is young, naive, angry at the world and can see dead people. Set during WW1 in Melbourne, featuring Italian heritage, Rose finds herself thrust into a haunted manor and dark family secrets that she is struggling to puzzle out. She is brave, but never so brave that you forget that she is a barely 18 year old woman whose whole life has been turned upside down. I loved Rose, she felt so very real to me — as did the rest of the characters we encountered along the way. Let’s not forget that Rose is doing all of this while she’s on her period, fighting through painful cramps? I C O N I C.
G.R. Thomas’s writing is sumptuous, haunting and melodic. She paints a horrific picture that brings chills to your spine while reading, some scenes were nothing short of terrifying. The characters are raw, and real, and my only minor critique is that I wish there was an epilogue, to get some closure on some other characters.
Reminiscent of Jane Eyre, The Frangitelli Mirror is a lavishly dark tale you do not want to miss.
Rose is young, naive, angry at the world and can see dead people. Set during WW1 in Melbourne, featuring Italian heritage, Rose finds herself thrust into a haunted manor and dark family secrets that she is struggling to puzzle out. She is brave, but never so brave that you forget that she is a barely 18 year old woman whose whole life has been turned upside down. I loved Rose, she felt so very real to me — as did the rest of the characters we encountered along the way. Let’s not forget that Rose is doing all of this while she’s on her period, fighting through painful cramps? I C O N I C.
G.R. Thomas’s writing is sumptuous, haunting and melodic. She paints a horrific picture that brings chills to your spine while reading, some scenes were nothing short of terrifying. The characters are raw, and real, and my only minor critique is that I wish there was an epilogue, to get some closure on some other characters.
Reminiscent of Jane Eyre, The Frangitelli Mirror is a lavishly dark tale you do not want to miss.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent
dark
mysterious
A bite-sized historical sapphic horror! I really loved this teeny tiny baby, it was gothic and lush and really packed a punch, despite the small size. Definitely recommend if you’re stuck on what to read — short and sickly sweet 🍓
dark
emotional
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
This was an emotional ride of a book!
It’s full of action, and adventure and I couldn’t put it down when I got into it. Jess really showcases the monster that grief is, and highlights how easy it is to slip into that dark place without support. Widow’s Flame was a fun, intriguing and very emotional read.
Blair is a flawed, impulsive, and at times unlikeable character as she moves through her grief. Colin is a teddy bear and I’ll hear no criticism on him. As they come together, and navigate the many dangers on their journey in America they both slowly learn to love again, in spite of their fear and losses. A raw, and desperate story of grief and hope
It’s full of action, and adventure and I couldn’t put it down when I got into it. Jess really showcases the monster that grief is, and highlights how easy it is to slip into that dark place without support. Widow’s Flame was a fun, intriguing and very emotional read.
Blair is a flawed, impulsive, and at times unlikeable character as she moves through her grief. Colin is a teddy bear and I’ll hear no criticism on him. As they come together, and navigate the many dangers on their journey in America they both slowly learn to love again, in spite of their fear and losses. A raw, and desperate story of grief and hope
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Grief
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
NFA is a poignant exploration of grief, while simultaneously being funny as hell.
Set in the backdrop of Brisbane, this read like an emotional Aussie sitcom episode. The focus on friendship, and companionship is heartfelt, and so authentic — I loved that no one was perfect. This book felt like a re-coming of age story, and some wonderful commentary on self identity and queerness.
I’m very excited to see what Samantha does next!
Set in the backdrop of Brisbane, this read like an emotional Aussie sitcom episode. The focus on friendship, and companionship is heartfelt, and so authentic — I loved that no one was perfect. This book felt like a re-coming of age story, and some wonderful commentary on self identity and queerness.
I’m very excited to see what Samantha does next!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
A classic for a reason!
Jane Eyre is a haunting tale with a deep rooted focus on equality/feminism and the class structure. The writing in this book just OOZED tension and yearning. Jane is a protagonist that most women can relate to, she is fiercely independent in a time when it was not the ‘done thing’ for a woman, a low born one at that, to seek something more than the set path put in front of her. It is powerful and inspiring, and yet mournful at the same time. There is so much yearning in this novel, and I don’t necessarily mean with the main love interest. There is a beautiful undercurrent of sapphic yearning in Jane Eyre, which can be seen when Jane interacts with both Helen Burns and Rosamond Oliver. I just adored this!
I am in awe of the women that came before us (yes I’m talking about you, Charlotte).
Jane Eyre is a haunting tale with a deep rooted focus on equality/feminism and the class structure. The writing in this book just OOZED tension and yearning. Jane is a protagonist that most women can relate to, she is fiercely independent in a time when it was not the ‘done thing’ for a woman, a low born one at that, to seek something more than the set path put in front of her. It is powerful and inspiring, and yet mournful at the same time. There is so much yearning in this novel, and I don’t necessarily mean with the main love interest. There is a beautiful undercurrent of sapphic yearning in Jane Eyre, which can be seen when Jane interacts with both Helen Burns and Rosamond Oliver. I just adored this!
I am in awe of the women that came before us (yes I’m talking about you, Charlotte).
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was an epic coming of age literary historical fiction that tells the story of the first East Indian settler in the ‘New World’, and it was nothing short of breathtaking.
I was so easily transported into the vicious landscape of the 1600s, I felt like I was right there with Tony, Sammy and Lydia as they navigated their growing fears and dreams. The prose is just raw and stunning, it was some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever had the privledge of reading.
This book covered some pretty dark subject matter, and it was hard to read at times because of the harsh reality of some of these themes, but I think it is such a viral piece of literature. I was fully immersed in Tony’s journey of discovery of love and friendship, and what home truly means.
If you enjoyed Babel by R.F Kuang, I highly recommend picking up The East Indian.
I was so easily transported into the vicious landscape of the 1600s, I felt like I was right there with Tony, Sammy and Lydia as they navigated their growing fears and dreams. The prose is just raw and stunning, it was some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever had the privledge of reading.
This book covered some pretty dark subject matter, and it was hard to read at times because of the harsh reality of some of these themes, but I think it is such a viral piece of literature. I was fully immersed in Tony’s journey of discovery of love and friendship, and what home truly means.
If you enjoyed Babel by R.F Kuang, I highly recommend picking up The East Indian.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence
dark
sad
challenging
dark
tense
Frankenstein is a tragic exposition on the human condition, alienation and yearning for the love of another.
Every single person in this book needed a damn hug! The characters are so fleshed out (literally) and vivid, their wants and desires are so clearly depicted that you can’t help but feel empathy for them, even when they are being despicable in their actions. Shelley’s description of the scenery paints a sweeping, gothic landscape that brings chills & the conflict between all the characters is just riveting!
Frankenstein is one of those classics that fall into the niche basket of books that still hold up for a modern audience. Mary Shelley was a woman a century ahead of her time.
Every single person in this book needed a damn hug! The characters are so fleshed out (literally) and vivid, their wants and desires are so clearly depicted that you can’t help but feel empathy for them, even when they are being despicable in their actions. Shelley’s description of the scenery paints a sweeping, gothic landscape that brings chills & the conflict between all the characters is just riveting!
Frankenstein is one of those classics that fall into the niche basket of books that still hold up for a modern audience. Mary Shelley was a woman a century ahead of her time.