whatellisreadnext's reviews
623 reviews

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark funny 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

5.0

Just a reread of an old favourite in preparation for the new book coming out 👀

Death Valley by Melissa Broder

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wasn't sure what rating to give Death Valley at first. I really enjoyed the internal monologue style throughout, but it took a bit of a turn towards the end that I'm not too sure about. Having sat with it for 24 hours, I do get why it was done this way, and I do like the journey our protagonist went on, so overall, I'm settling on a low 4 star, and I will definitely be getting my hands on the Pisces at somepoint. If you love a purposefully lonely gal on the edge of a breakdown, this is one for you. Reminded me a lot of One's Company in many ways.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

dark funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-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

4.0

This truly felt like a one of a kind read. Never have I read anything like it, but I can't see it going down well with people who like their stories to have a clear point. You spend a lot of your time reading The Unconsoled confused. Why are we here? Why can't our narrator remember anything? Why is he constantly getting lost and moving on to the next task or person without resolving the last? I've not a clue, but I spent my time with it equal parts calm and anxious. 

For me, the book says slow down, enjoy your moments, rest, and make time for people, but most importantly, don't place all of your hopes on one singular life event. Too much pressure on anything is bound to fail. I don't know. I could be talking complete bollocks, but I am a person who puts too much pressure on moments in their life. This is definitely the weirdest book by Kazuo Ishiguro I have read so far, but it has me even more intrigued to complete the rest of his back catalogue. 

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really did enjoy this for what it was, and I was close to giving it a 4 star rating, but I thought about it too hard and the amazing setting can't make up for the lack lustre main character. This magic system is immaculate, and the city of Alante is fascinating, but there's only so many times I can watch our main character Io get saved again and again after making daft decisions. Right now, I would pick up the sequel, as I had fun with it, and Edei is a sweet baby angel, but by the time it's out, I'll probably not care all that much anymore. We shall see💃

The Old Haunts by Allan Radcliffe

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Well, this one took me by surprise. Jamie is  spending a week away in rural Scotland with his boyfriend, Alex. After recently losing his parents, he starts to reflect on memories, and the narrative takes on a past and present structure that worked so well. The whole aching feeling of this book just resonated with me. I couldn't pick one fault with it. It's very well done, and just really lovely, too. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Big thanks to Fairlight Books for the gifted netgalley arc😊

Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Let me start by saying the audiobook for this was so so good. I really struggle with concentration when it comes to audio, but I was completely in it with this one. The story is interesting, and the main protagonist is definitely an unstable gal, but in the best way. I enjoyed this right up until the very last few chapters. I think the author was trying to be shocking, but it didn't really work for me. That being said, I'm still really glad I read it and would definitely pick up a new release from Hogarth in the future.

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

dark mysterious tense fast-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

I'm a gal who needs a bit more characterisation to enjoy her horror. Not to defend this book, because really it just wasn't very good. The writing is super basic, the characters all feel like the same person, and there seemed to be no real reason for all the brutality. I love a bit of gore, but it just had zero effect on me at all in this. I think that there is an audience for thriller/horror, and I'm just not it.

Penance by Eliza Clark

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I never knew I needed a book set in a fictional British seaside town in Yorkshire, about three girls who burn another girl alive until I read Penance. Gosh, the nostalgia was just dripping from these pages. Having grown up next to a seaside town in Lincolnshire, the vibes were immaculate. Not to mention all of the tumblr stuff featured. I haven't thought about tumblr in years, but in hindsight, it was not healthy for our impressionable teenage brains.

I really love how full of Britishness Eliza's books are. It's something I'm yet to find in the same way, from any other author. She really paints it how it is, the gritty side of growing up in England. Like with Boy Parts, I'm excited to see how people from other parts of the world perceive this story.

I did prefer Boy Parts, but I think that's mainly because I'm a deranged gal. Saying that, Penance really holds its own, and I commend Eliza for doing something completely different. She's a force, and I can't wait to see what she does next. Plus, I am a sucker for commentary on true crime consumerism and how it affects families and victims. Penance felt very similar to Devil House by John Darnielle in this way. 

I honestly think there is something in here for everyone, and if you were a bit concerned about picking up Boy Parts, Penance would be a great introduction to Eliza's writing. Would definitely recommend 🙌🔥👭

Mrs S by K. Patrick

funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I'm not sure what to say other than, if you love Gillian Anderson, read this book 👀 The audiobook was phenomenonal, just so well done, like TV in my head.

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This was just not it 🫠 I'm trying to put my finger on what was wrong with it... and I'm just going to go with a lot of things. First off, it needed to be longer, it's no good having a twisty horror book if you've not really established any of the characters. Plus all of the full contact horror game stuff (the bit that grabbed my attention) was like 30 pages at the beginning. The ending took a turn, that I didn't dislike, but I don't think it was executed well. And you know when you're just yelling at the characters in your head because they missed something so painstakingly obvious?! Yeah, that happened a lot. It did have really great queer and black representation, so I'm sad it didn't end up being a winner. I loved This Poison Heart and would definitely recommend that if you're thinking of picking up a book from Bayron.