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whatsmacksaid's reviews
1261 reviews
A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this so much more than I expected to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
Finding Echoes by Foz Meadows
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
4.5
A little slow in the middle, but otherwise such a good read.
A Wolf Steps in Blood by Tamara Jerée
dark
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This story was a mix of lighthearted and very serious, and it balanced the two well. It's also a love letter to fandom culture and ff, and I enjoyed the various ways that's expressed (via podcast transcripts, texts, etc.). Even the excessive question and exclamation marks were endearing.
Unfortunately, all that is weighed down by the mediocre writing--I actually skimmed the last sixty pages because I got bored.
Unfortunately, all that is weighed down by the mediocre writing--I actually skimmed the last sixty pages because I got bored.
Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Loved this. It's a really fabulous resource.
Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
This is essentially a handbook for people in an abusive relationship, or people who think they might be, but aren't sure. The author speaks directly to that audience ("he might try XYZ, but this is to deliberately confuse you and escape responsibility," etc.) in a frank and readable way.
It's a tough subject, obviously, but the book wasn't as depressing as I expected it to be. It's both an explainer of the mentalities abusive people hold and a guide to help abused people figure out their next steps.
It's also worth mentioning that the author goes out of his way to explain that he's using binary gender terminology even though everything he writes about could apply to a same sex couple. He circles back to that multiple times.
It's a tough subject, obviously, but the book wasn't as depressing as I expected it to be. It's both an explainer of the mentalities abusive people hold and a guide to help abused people figure out their next steps.
It's also worth mentioning that the author goes out of his way to explain that he's using binary gender terminology even though everything he writes about could apply to a same sex couple. He circles back to that multiple times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World: How to Create a Happy Life by Ilse Sand
informative
reflective
DNF. There's nothing wrong with the book; it just wasn't what I was looking for.
Fiasco by Constance Fay
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
More fun and less goofy than the previous. Fantastic worldbuilding and I loved the angst--just don't look too closely at the FMC's reasonings.