womenvsthevoid's reviews
158 reviews

Deluge by Charmaine Wilkerson

dark emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Rest and Be Thankful by Emma Glass

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

A Game in Yellow by Hailey Piper

challenging dark sad tense slow-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? Yes

3.0

A Game in Yellow tells the story of Blanca and Carmen, a couple struggling with intimacy that seeks increasingly exploratory and dangerous methods to remedy their relationship. While neither character was particularly likable, their intimacy struggles felt relatable. Their insecurities, jealousies, and need for control all felt relatable. However, the story becomes dense as Piper describes this alternative universe, aka the play. Piper goes so far into detail with the play that it starts to feel like a separate story. The content of the play is confusing, and attempting to relate it to the plot adds to that confusion. I think Piper could have accomplished the premise of this story without creating a maze with the play. A Game in Yellow felt comparable to The Book of the Most Precious Substance by Sara Gran, although it pales in comparison. I’ve been a fan of Hailey Piper for a long time, and while A Game in Yellow felt unsuccessful, I’ll continue coming back for her work. Thank you Hailey Piper, Saga Press, and Netgalley for advance access to this story. 

Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang

challenging 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? Yes

5.0

Immaculate Conception dazzled as much as Ling Ling Huang’s debut, Natural Beauty. Immaculate Conception could be described as a marriage between Rouge by Mona Awad and Yellowface by R.F. Kaung. The story is part horror, part thriller, part sci fi, and part literary fiction all in one. Because Huang embraces all of these elements so well, I feel like Immaculate Conception will satisfy an array of readers. Much like how Natural Beauty was a leader in books published about the wellness industry, Immaculate Conception will be a leader in books published about technology and artificial intelligence. Unsurprisingly, the writing was excellent and Huang’s characters were deeply layered and interesting. Thank you to Ling Ling Huang, Dutton, and Netgalley for advance access to Immaculate Conception.

On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Sugar by Mia Ballard

dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

Sugar was quite the page turner. I was on board for the first 70% of the story, but the final twist felt far reaching and rushed. I also feel like the characters’ queer identities were under explored and it felt like a plot device thrown in for shock value and no real meaning. Despite these issues, I found myself enjoying Sugar as a nice palette cleanser. Thank you Mia Ballard, Galaxy Press, and Netgalley for early access to Sugar!

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Emily Austin’s ability to write from the perspective of tortured 20-somethings trying to figure out life’s next steps is unmatched. Austin demonstrates how small moments collect to make us feel like we’re descending into uncontrollable chaos. Her writing is a perfect example of how describing life’s peculiarities and circumstances creates as much weight as huge plot twists and turns. Life is unbelievable enough without adding inventive devices. We Could All Be Rats is subtle yet hugely impactful. Austin yet again delivers a masterpiece. Thank you to Emily Austin, Atria, and Netgalley for advance access to this story.

A History of Present Illness: A Novel by Anna DeForest

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

3.0

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? No

5.0

Animals Eat Each Other by Elle Nash

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0