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thectbookworm's reviews
192 reviews
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4.0
I needed to really digest this book prior to writing a thoughtful review. This is the first time I’ve really needed to just stew in my thoughts because there were a lot of “WTF???” moments.
However, WITHOUT giving any spoilers, I will say that this book was written perfectly as a Gothic-style novel. It had almost all of the elements and Silvia has an amazing talent for putting her reader into the story. It was easy to picture the settings and everything that was happening (as gruesome as some of it was).
The author also stayed very true to Mexican culture and there are definitely some aspects that may come off as confusing to someone unaware of the traditional culture and history, it was all VERY on point. She did a beautiful job with providing representation in my opinion.
Despite the fact that I may never eat mushrooms again (or at least for a very long time) this book deserves the 4 stars for execution of this creepy, unsettling, mind boggling story.
It’s a bit of a slow start for sure, but the build up and ambience is completely necessary to wrap it up and the ending will leave you speechless.
However, WITHOUT giving any spoilers, I will say that this book was written perfectly as a Gothic-style novel. It had almost all of the elements and Silvia has an amazing talent for putting her reader into the story. It was easy to picture the settings and everything that was happening (as gruesome as some of it was).
The author also stayed very true to Mexican culture and there are definitely some aspects that may come off as confusing to someone unaware of the traditional culture and history, it was all VERY on point. She did a beautiful job with providing representation in my opinion.
Despite the fact that I may never eat mushrooms again (or at least for a very long time) this book deserves the 4 stars for execution of this creepy, unsettling, mind boggling story.
It’s a bit of a slow start for sure, but the build up and ambience is completely necessary to wrap it up and the ending will leave you speechless.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
(No spoilers.)
Wow. I am SO glad I listened to my new found friends and followers on bookstagram and continued past ACOTAR. Not that ACOTAR was awful, but it wasn't as enthralling as other reads. This second book in the series, however, had me reeled in from the first chapter and I did NOT want to put it down.
Sarah J. Maas has an amazing talent for making her reader feel so deeply about the characters and kingdoms she's created in the best AND worst ways. I went from loving a particular character in the first book to wanting to throw them off of a bridge in the second book, and equally from being disgusted by a character in the first book and absolutely falling in love with them in the second!
This may be the first time in my life that I have truly fallen in love with characters and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third book!
Wow. I am SO glad I listened to my new found friends and followers on bookstagram and continued past ACOTAR. Not that ACOTAR was awful, but it wasn't as enthralling as other reads. This second book in the series, however, had me reeled in from the first chapter and I did NOT want to put it down.
Sarah J. Maas has an amazing talent for making her reader feel so deeply about the characters and kingdoms she's created in the best AND worst ways. I went from loving a particular character in the first book to wanting to throw them off of a bridge in the second book, and equally from being disgusted by a character in the first book and absolutely falling in love with them in the second!
This may be the first time in my life that I have truly fallen in love with characters and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third book!
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
2.0
It took me a lot longer than usual to read this book because it just never sucked me in. I loved Ninth House, so I was pretty excited to start this series. It just felt predictable and I don’t think I’d get along well with Alina if she was a real person.
I’m still going to read the second one because maybe it gets better and it’ll reel me in. I see so many people gush about this series, so I’m obviously missing something! Let’s see what happens next.
I’m still going to read the second one because maybe it gets better and it’ll reel me in. I see so many people gush about this series, so I’m obviously missing something! Let’s see what happens next.
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
5.0
My first read of 2022 and it’s a five star rating, hands down.
I first want to thank Simon & Schuster for the complimentary copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest review!
I see a lot of 3 and 4 star reviews on this and I have to start by saying this book hits different if you are a parent vs. if you have no children. It’s ALSO important for future potential readers to be aware of TW (cps/dcf, child loss/miscarriage, abuse, PPD/PPA, suicide).
“By staying calm, they’re showing their child that a mother can handle anything. A mother is always patient. A mother is always giving. A mother never falls apart. A mother is the buffer between her child and the cruel world.”
A great book, in my opinion, should start up a rollercoaster of emotions. I want to go from happy to sad to infuriated to hopeful, but always on the edge of my seat. Jessamine Chan put me on that ride and fully engaged the entire way through. It left me thinking deeply of how children pay the ultimate price for the decisions made by complete strangers who may or may not be properly qualified to make such decisions. Decisions made in the “best interest” of the minor child or children. I see it often in my job field and it’s heartbreaking. This book is harsh reality with a fantastic and disturbing mix of the technological future we’re not too far away from.
I thought her method of weaving the social stigmas of “bad mothers” and “good mothers” was equally fantastic. No matter what we do as moms, society finds a way to demonize us. You need a break? Bad mom. You let your kid eat McDonalds instead of cage free chicken, green beans fresh from your garden? Bad mom. There were great examples of how intense and judgmental women are toward other women despite how similar our battles are because of our egos.
All in all, I thought this book was fantastic and I’m looking forward to purchasing a physical copy for my personal library.
I first want to thank Simon & Schuster for the complimentary copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest review!
I see a lot of 3 and 4 star reviews on this and I have to start by saying this book hits different if you are a parent vs. if you have no children. It’s ALSO important for future potential readers to be aware of TW (cps/dcf, child loss/miscarriage, abuse, PPD/PPA, suicide).
“By staying calm, they’re showing their child that a mother can handle anything. A mother is always patient. A mother is always giving. A mother never falls apart. A mother is the buffer between her child and the cruel world.”
A great book, in my opinion, should start up a rollercoaster of emotions. I want to go from happy to sad to infuriated to hopeful, but always on the edge of my seat. Jessamine Chan put me on that ride and fully engaged the entire way through. It left me thinking deeply of how children pay the ultimate price for the decisions made by complete strangers who may or may not be properly qualified to make such decisions. Decisions made in the “best interest” of the minor child or children. I see it often in my job field and it’s heartbreaking. This book is harsh reality with a fantastic and disturbing mix of the technological future we’re not too far away from.
I thought her method of weaving the social stigmas of “bad mothers” and “good mothers” was equally fantastic. No matter what we do as moms, society finds a way to demonize us. You need a break? Bad mom. You let your kid eat McDonalds instead of cage free chicken, green beans fresh from your garden? Bad mom. There were great examples of how intense and judgmental women are toward other women despite how similar our battles are because of our egos.
All in all, I thought this book was fantastic and I’m looking forward to purchasing a physical copy for my personal library.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
5.0
There are plenty of reviews for this book, so I’ll leave it at this - the love story woven into this book is everything I ever want. It’s fiesty and the circumstances surrounding the characters make it difficult to navigate. I love that. Give me that over a sappy, lala land love ANY day.