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woodsybookworm's reviews
99 reviews
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Thick and the Lean by Chana Porter
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In a world where eating is a taboo and restaurants are tucked away like speakeasies, a young woman finds herself at odds with her devoutly religious community after discovering a passion for cooking.
Beatrice lives in Seagate - a community where sexuality is open, God is revered, and food has been replaced by supplement pills. When she discovers a secret cache of food and a society of people who cook in secret, Beatrice opens the door to a whole new world and must decide whether to stay in the safety and uniformity of her home or escape to discover new delicacies.
While I enjoyed The Thick and the Lean there were a few things that prevented me from rating it higher...
I feel like this would have been a better novella, the book tended to drag at times. Additionally, I felt like the story would have been stronger strictly following Beatrice's story rather than jumping to other characters' POVs. Beatrice was such an interesting character and to suddenly shift from her perspective to a new character was pretty jarring.
Beatrice lives in Seagate - a community where sexuality is open, God is revered, and food has been replaced by supplement pills. When she discovers a secret cache of food and a society of people who cook in secret, Beatrice opens the door to a whole new world and must decide whether to stay in the safety and uniformity of her home or escape to discover new delicacies.
While I enjoyed The Thick and the Lean there were a few things that prevented me from rating it higher...
I feel like this would have been a better novella, the book tended to drag at times. Additionally, I felt like the story would have been stronger strictly following Beatrice's story rather than jumping to other characters' POVs. Beatrice was such an interesting character and to suddenly shift from her perspective to a new character was pretty jarring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Classism, and Eating disorder
The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Third Wife of Faraday House follows Emeline as she is shipped off to be married to the mysterious Captain Graves due to a scandal with one of her suitors. Forced by her guardians to agree to a quick engagement, our sweet protagonist finds herself at the ominous Faraday House.
Captain Graves is old fashioned, wealthy, and apparently...cursed. The very grounds of Faraday House are cursed with tales of ghosts, hidden treasure, and dying wives. Emeline is to be Captain Graves third wife...the only problem with that is the second wife, Georgina, is still very alive.
Thrust into a unique situation, assisting in the care of the sickly wife she's set to replace, Emeline must struggle to protect her ward and herself against the haunting forces that seem to keep killing off the women of Faraday House.
This book was amazing! It immediately blended the vibes of Crimson Peak, Jane Eyre, and Rebecca - with gothic storytelling and a tragically beautiful and naive protagonist. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, it took a turn, leaving me guessing until the very end!
If you enjoy ghost stories and gothic romance this book is for you! Also I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway (I thought it was an urban legend that people actually won those) 💙
Captain Graves is old fashioned, wealthy, and apparently...cursed. The very grounds of Faraday House are cursed with tales of ghosts, hidden treasure, and dying wives. Emeline is to be Captain Graves third wife...the only problem with that is the second wife, Georgina, is still very alive.
Thrust into a unique situation, assisting in the care of the sickly wife she's set to replace, Emeline must struggle to protect her ward and herself against the haunting forces that seem to keep killing off the women of Faraday House.
This book was amazing! It immediately blended the vibes of Crimson Peak, Jane Eyre, and Rebecca - with gothic storytelling and a tragically beautiful and naive protagonist. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, it took a turn, leaving me guessing until the very end!
If you enjoy ghost stories and gothic romance this book is for you! Also I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway (I thought it was an urban legend that people actually won those) 💙
Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Wish I DNF this book, I was so bored the entire time.
These Shallow Waters by Madison Mouser
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
After the tragic loss of her husband, Ellie decides to reconnect to her late husband's roots and visit Scotland. After a minor mishap, Ellie's trip goes from bad to worse when she finds herself stranded in a remote seaside town.
In steps Lawson, the brooding hunky librarian with a mysterious past, as he quite literally whisks poor Ellie away to a hidden kingdom of mythical creatures known as selkies. The selkies are in danger, their kingdom lies in ruin and their only hope is a prophecy involving their last prince and a brave human who will stand against the terrifying sirens.
This story was unique in its setting and material - selkies and sirens are such a rare combo in romantasy! As a debut novel, I think the author did a wonderful job world building and creating fun characters. I loved Ellie's snark and sarcasm, plus her love of food!
I did have to set aside some rational thought when it came to the pacing of the story as Ellie really accepted the whole 'chosen one' persona right away while I would have been kicking and screaming if I was in her shoes. But, I feel like that's something we see a lot in romantasy storytelling.
Overall, it was a fun and unique story and I'll definitely be keeping a lookout for the next book, especially since this one ends on a cliffhanger!
In steps Lawson, the brooding hunky librarian with a mysterious past, as he quite literally whisks poor Ellie away to a hidden kingdom of mythical creatures known as selkies. The selkies are in danger, their kingdom lies in ruin and their only hope is a prophecy involving their last prince and a brave human who will stand against the terrifying sirens.
This story was unique in its setting and material - selkies and sirens are such a rare combo in romantasy! As a debut novel, I think the author did a wonderful job world building and creating fun characters. I loved Ellie's snark and sarcasm, plus her love of food!
I did have to set aside some rational thought when it came to the pacing of the story as Ellie really accepted the whole 'chosen one' persona right away while I would have been kicking and screaming if I was in her shoes. But, I feel like that's something we see a lot in romantasy storytelling.
Overall, it was a fun and unique story and I'll definitely be keeping a lookout for the next book, especially since this one ends on a cliffhanger!
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Blood, Suicide, Death, Grief, and Murder
In the Garden of Monsters by Crystal King
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
In The Garden Of Monsters is a love letter to surrealism and fine cuisine. Part mythology retelling, part artistic experience this novel was a unique experience.
The story follows Julia, a young woman with no past but a keen knowledge of history and a passion for art. Julia finds herself invited to the Garden of Monsters - the Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo, Italy - as the great Salvador Dali's muse. She is to act as Persephone, his Proserpina, modeling as the goddess among the stone creatures of the mysterious garden.
But odd things begin to happen upon the arrival of Dali's group to the small village's grand estate overlooking the garden. Their host, Ignazio, smells of smoke and seems to mesmerize everyone around him, the servants don't speak, earthquakes shake the land, and every dish of food seems to contain pomegranate seeds.
Will Julia let herself fall into the sway of Ignazio's charms or will the terror of the monstrous garden be her downfall?
This was a unique take on the Hades and Persephone story. I enjoyed the author's vivid descriptions of the garden, the food, and art - though at times there seemed to be more exposition than character development. I was thoroughly invested in the overarching story and will definitely be picking up the Crystal King's other works, as her prose was vivid and delectable - she has an obvious passion for food, art, and history that is entirely engaging.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
🧈 Butter 🧈
Rating: 🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈
5 Sticks of yellowy emulsified goodness 😋
I have not read a book about food that's made me quite literally drool while reading since Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. This book was a love letter to the culinary arts. I had to pause at one point to make a batch of cookies just to stop from salivating 🤤
The story follows Rika, a young journalist looking to become the first woman in her office to gain an official writer's seat with her paper. Rika decides her best bet for a career making story would be to gain an exclusive interview with serial killer Manako Kajii, a gourmand mistress accused of killing three of her patron lovers and defrauding many more.
Rika writes to the convicted serial killer, on the advice of her closest friend Reiko, asking for advice on recipes - Kajii's excellent cooking skills being a major factor in the downfall of her supposed victims. That simple letter snowballs into an unlikely friendship and perhaps a mutual obsession. But who is really in control - the interviewer or the interviewee?
This novel blends food with questions of class and gender politics that are relatable not only to those in Japan but to women around the world. Unique yet relatable characters fill the story and Asako Yuzuki's prose was utterly (udder-ly? Lol 🐄) investing.
This book made me homesick for Japan - the country, my friends, the food. Any book that brings out that kind of reaction in me, that nostalgia, is going to be a five star read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Blood, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual assault
youthjuice by E.K. Sathue
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Madame Bovary meets Goop in this new thriller following a young social media marketing artist. After she joins popular cosmetic company Hebe, Sophia finds herself as one of the select few chosen to learn the company's dark secret behind its newest creation, youthjuice.
I wanted to love this book. I saw the cover and read the blurb, thinking it would be a fun horror novel making light of the beauty industry. Instead, I found myself mostly bored as the main character consistently jumped into narrating her past rather than focusing on the horror of youthjuice.
⚠️ Spoilers below:
Honestly, the book probably would have been more entertaining from Tree's perspective - how she came up with the idea to sacrifice interns, how she collected victims, how she convinced her full time employees to follow her like a cult leader, and her devolving mindset in desperation for eternal youth.
There was so much that could have been fleshed out and explored if we followed Tree over Sophia who barely talked about youthjuice at all - the book read more like her fictional memoir than what could have been an interesting horror story about a moisturizer made from literal human blood.
I wanted to love this book. I saw the cover and read the blurb, thinking it would be a fun horror novel making light of the beauty industry. Instead, I found myself mostly bored as the main character consistently jumped into narrating her past rather than focusing on the horror of youthjuice.
⚠️ Spoilers below:
Honestly, the book probably would have been more entertaining from Tree's perspective - how she came up with the idea to sacrifice interns, how she collected victims, how she convinced her full time employees to follow her like a cult leader, and her devolving mindset in desperation for eternal youth.
There was so much that could have been fleshed out and explored if we followed Tree over Sophia who barely talked about youthjuice at all - the book read more like her fictional memoir than what could have been an interesting horror story about a moisturizer made from literal human blood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Drug abuse, and Drug use
The Hole by Hiroko Oyamada
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another 'what on earth did I just read?' book - I definitely have a type 😅
The Hole follows Asahi 'Asa' as she and her newlywed husband Muneaki move to the countryside, becoming next door neighbors to Muneaki's parents.
Asa struggles to find herself in this new life - newly married, new home, no job - her entire identity as it once was has disappeared and in its place she has become simply "the bride". Muneaki's mother, Tomiko, prides herself in her role as a housewife and from the window next door Asa sees her future laid out before her very eyes.
Asa moves through this new slow life by taking daily walks to 7-Eleven, moseying along the river, and through the trees with only the sound of cicadas for company until one day she sees a strange animal in the woods that's been digging holes...
I think we could discuss this book in its own forum at nauseum. We could discuss gender politics, the identity crisis, the fact a woman can be whatever they desire - a worker, a mother, a housewife - all day long and that's one of the interesting things about this story. It's so short but in those few pages so much is really being said.
I will say this isn't a happy book. If you're interested in an odd read that raises more questions than answers then I'd give The Hole a try.
The Hole follows Asahi 'Asa' as she and her newlywed husband Muneaki move to the countryside, becoming next door neighbors to Muneaki's parents.
Asa struggles to find herself in this new life - newly married, new home, no job - her entire identity as it once was has disappeared and in its place she has become simply "the bride". Muneaki's mother, Tomiko, prides herself in her role as a housewife and from the window next door Asa sees her future laid out before her very eyes.
Asa moves through this new slow life by taking daily walks to 7-Eleven, moseying along the river, and through the trees with only the sound of cicadas for company until one day she sees a strange animal in the woods that's been digging holes...
I think we could discuss this book in its own forum at nauseum. We could discuss gender politics, the identity crisis, the fact a woman can be whatever they desire - a worker, a mother, a housewife - all day long and that's one of the interesting things about this story. It's so short but in those few pages so much is really being said.
I will say this isn't a happy book. If you're interested in an odd read that raises more questions than answers then I'd give The Hole a try.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Dementia
Programmed for Love by Lyonne Riley
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? N/A
4.5
🌓 Programmed for Love 🌓
This is exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump! As much as I love horror and high fantasy sometimes I just need a good romance to reset myself 💙
Programmed for Love follows space engineer Lela and android D-084 aka D as they attempt to solve a mysterious case of potential sabotage that could put the entire ship and crew in danger, stranding them in space. This becomes the perfect excuse for Lela to get close to the android that she has held a massive (and very obvious) crush on for months - will D and Lela save the fate of the crew and find love in the process or will they be doomed to float through space with no escape?
This was absolutely adorable and fun! Lela was burly and awkward and D was so comically deadpan and fun. I was laughing and crying throughout. Lyonne Riley has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors.
If you ever found yourself looking at David from Prometheus or Gigolo Joe from Ai: Artificial Intelligence and thought "am I attracted to this?" then this is the book for you! 😂🩷
This is exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump! As much as I love horror and high fantasy sometimes I just need a good romance to reset myself 💙
Programmed for Love follows space engineer Lela and android D-084 aka D as they attempt to solve a mysterious case of potential sabotage that could put the entire ship and crew in danger, stranding them in space. This becomes the perfect excuse for Lela to get close to the android that she has held a massive (and very obvious) crush on for months - will D and Lela save the fate of the crew and find love in the process or will they be doomed to float through space with no escape?
This was absolutely adorable and fun! Lela was burly and awkward and D was so comically deadpan and fun. I was laughing and crying throughout. Lyonne Riley has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors.
If you ever found yourself looking at David from Prometheus or Gigolo Joe from Ai: Artificial Intelligence and thought "am I attracted to this?" then this is the book for you! 😂🩷