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vicktorea's reviews
443 reviews
Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
wasn't giving
this felt like such a lacklustre ending. things were solved and wrapped up way too easily for my liking - where was the angst?? i was honestly kinda bored.
i read the first two books physically and decided to go the audio route for this one - the narration was good and the audio production was very well done.
bookstores should prob take this out of their YA section - put it in NA.
this felt like such a lacklustre ending. things were solved and wrapped up way too easily for my liking - where was the angst?? i was honestly kinda bored.
i read the first two books physically and decided to go the audio route for this one - the narration was good and the audio production was very well done.
bookstores should prob take this out of their YA section - put it in NA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.5
Black folks don’t need oaths to take care of each other. We never did.
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST BRIANA MATTHEWS SHALL PROSPER!!!! 🗣️🗣️🗣️
The way I wanted to devour this ARC but forced myself to read this as slowly as humanly possible bc now I have to wait God knows how long to see what happens next!!
I feel deeper in love with the characters and the development of the relationships between them, both platonic and romantic (umm love triangle?!!?! What’s going on here?? what ship is endgame???! Poly potential????!!!?!!). I really enjoyed the exploration of more previous side characters (Alice & Will) and liked some of the new characters (Lark & Valec!) and the myths and legends surrounding this story along with the history!
There were parts of this that had my head spinning and truly confused (there was so much to take in and I found it a bit overwhelming at times), but the last 15% had me unable to put this down! …& now…we wait.
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to NetGalley & Simon Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST BRIANA MATTHEWS SHALL PROSPER!!!! 🗣️🗣️🗣️
The way I wanted to devour this ARC but forced myself to read this as slowly as humanly possible bc now I have to wait God knows how long to see what happens next!!
I feel deeper in love with the characters and the development of the relationships between them, both platonic and romantic (umm love triangle?!!?! What’s going on here?? what ship is endgame???! Poly potential????!!!?!!). I really enjoyed the exploration of more previous side characters (Alice & Will) and liked some of the new characters (Lark & Valec!) and the myths and legends surrounding this story along with the history!
There were parts of this that had my head spinning and truly confused (there was so much to take in and I found it a bit overwhelming at times), but the last 15% had me unable to put this down! …& now…we wait.
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to NetGalley & Simon Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Arrangement by Kiersten Modglin
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
what episode of dateline is this?????
i started off thinking this couple were just idiots (they are, but the cunning kind!) and i wonder if I'd been paying attention harder if i would've seen the twists coming...but i didn't and i was shocked.
i started off thinking this couple were just idiots (they are, but the cunning kind!) and i wonder if I'd been paying attention harder if i would've seen the twists coming...but i didn't and i was shocked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder
Minor: Rape, Stalking
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Carrie was based off this book, change my mind
this was an atmospheric/spooky-ish, infuriating and just down right great read!
The themes of racism throughout this novel was just downright infuriating, but the lessons were plenty and relevant - Ms. Jackson never strays from incorporating difficult topics into her books and I commend her for that each and every time!
While this wasn’t as spooky as White Smoke, there’s definitely a spooky/horror-ish vibe to it that makes it perfect for the Fall season!
I listened to the audio for this via Audible and the narration and production was incredible! I loved the storytelling mixed with the podcast format and def recommend giving this one a listen!
Thank you to NetGalley and HCC Frenzy / HarperCollins Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
this was an atmospheric/spooky-ish, infuriating and just down right great read!
The themes of racism throughout this novel was just downright infuriating, but the lessons were plenty and relevant - Ms. Jackson never strays from incorporating difficult topics into her books and I commend her for that each and every time!
While this wasn’t as spooky as White Smoke, there’s definitely a spooky/horror-ish vibe to it that makes it perfect for the Fall season!
I listened to the audio for this via Audible and the narration and production was incredible! I loved the storytelling mixed with the podcast format and def recommend giving this one a listen!
Thank you to NetGalley and HCC Frenzy / HarperCollins Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic friendship
Requiem & Reverie by Keri Lake
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
2.75
fine
Just as dark as the last one.
Still lots of triggers (pretty much the same as the last one as this is a continuation)
I predicted who the killer was from one (tho there were some red herrings)
Damn the cliche epilogue pregnancy trope
2.75⭐️ bc the narration was good but that trope in the last chapter/epilogue kinda ruined it for me.
Just as dark as the last one.
Still lots of triggers (pretty much the same as the last one as this is a continuation)
I predicted who the killer was from one (tho there were some red herrings)
2.75⭐️ bc the narration was good but that trope in the last chapter/epilogue kinda ruined it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Nocturnes & Nightmares by Keri Lake
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
well this was fucked.
so many dark themes present so please check the trigger warnings.
this is a great romantic suspense to kick off fall/spooky szn! this one ends in a cliffhanger and i thought I'd be fine reading this and picking up the next one a bit later but I'm too invested and need to know what happens next! so on to next one!
listened via Hoopla - good narration!
so many dark themes present so please check the trigger warnings.
this is a great romantic suspense to kick off fall/spooky szn! this one ends in a cliffhanger and i thought I'd be fine reading this and picking up the next one a bit later but I'm too invested and need to know what happens next! so on to next one!
listened via Hoopla - good narration!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder
Minor: Bullying
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
medium-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
3.5
it was good but it wasn’t all that
i liked this, but it wasn’t my fav TJR.
Carrie Soto was unlikeable at times but I didn’t hate her; however, I found myself conflicted, at times. between wanting to root for her or thump her. I also found her growth throughout the novel a bit sudden, it didn’t feel gradual.
While I liked the themes (father/daughter relationships, women [esp WOC] in sports [& any industry] having to work so much harder while men get presided for mediocrity and the bare minimum, being “the best” at something not necessarily being the most important thing), the overall plot and appreciated what TJR was aiming to do with this story, it felt predictable. I could just tell exactly what was going to happen and it was missing that signature TJR “twist”.
I’ll also say that I find it really weird how often TJR writes Latinx main characters when she’s not Latinx. While I appreciate her drawing attention to minorities, I think these stories should be told by own-voices authors.
Overall, I did like this but i think TJR has better books. I listened to the audio for this via Audible and liked the narration (although I didn’t always find it believable for Carrie’s character but it was still enjoyable) and thought the production was great!
I also received an e-ARC from the Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review - thank you to both!
i liked this, but it wasn’t my fav TJR.
Carrie Soto was unlikeable at times but I didn’t hate her; however, I found myself conflicted, at times. between wanting to root for her or thump her. I also found her growth throughout the novel a bit sudden, it didn’t feel gradual.
While I liked the themes (father/daughter relationships, women [esp WOC] in sports [& any industry] having to work so much harder while men get presided for mediocrity and the bare minimum, being “the best” at something not necessarily being the most important thing), the overall plot and appreciated what TJR was aiming to do with this story, it felt predictable. I could just tell exactly what was going to happen and it was missing that signature TJR “twist”.
I’ll also say that I find it really weird how often TJR writes Latinx main characters when she’s not Latinx. While I appreciate her drawing attention to minorities, I think these stories should be told by own-voices authors.
Overall, I did like this but i think TJR has better books. I listened to the audio for this via Audible and liked the narration (although I didn’t always find it believable for Carrie’s character but it was still enjoyable) and thought the production was great!
I also received an e-ARC from the Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review - thank you to both!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism
Oracle 2 The Dreamland Murders by Andrew Pyper
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore
Ends of the Earth by Keira Andrews
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
cute!
I hated the instalove & found the angst and drama ended too quickly (like halfway through) but the relationships in this book were sweet - the romantic relationship, the father/daughter relationship and the reconnection of a familial relationship.
Listened to the audiobook via Hoopla - the narration was fine.
I hated the instalove & found the angst and drama ended too quickly (like halfway through) but the relationships in this book were sweet - the romantic relationship, the father/daughter relationship and the reconnection of a familial relationship.
Listened to the audiobook via Hoopla - the narration was fine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death, Death of parent