withali's reviews
819 reviews

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.5

The side characters absolutely outshine the main character - this makes it hard to be invested early on. If you can get past the annoying naivety of the main character, the rest is worth the oversight. 

Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

1.5

The Diviners by Libba Bray

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Slavery, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Confinement, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Abortion, Colonisation, Deportation

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

I want to note that some of the words used to describe fat people are not words I would consider flattering. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Gaslighting

The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

This is probably the most realistic portrayal of what being a vampire would actually be like. The years stretching endlessly full of loss and confusion and wonder. 
I had somewhat predicted how this book would end, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment

Minor: Confinement, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicide, Antisemitism, Pregnancy

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, War

Near the Bone by Christina Henry

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I'm not really sure this book ever has a climax. Its constant build up - build up - build up and for nothing. The ending I believe was meant to be a shock to the reader but the author gave us nothing to go on to make it as impactful as it could have been. I just felt this didn't quite hit the mark for what it was trying to do.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

5.0

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

5.0