yellowbinge's reviews
233 reviews

Fangs by Sarah Andersen

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content and Fire/Fire injury

Sleeping Beauties: Deluxe Remastered Edition (Graphic Novel) by Alison Sampson, Stephen King, Rio Youers, Owen King

dark 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

3.0

Publishing date: 03.09.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: Abstaining from drinking anything at the bar because my date has some terrifying opinions

The book left me: Grateful that I wake up as normal 

Negatives:

Heavy handed on "anti-men" sentiments

A lot of expository dialogue that could simply be expressions from the characters

Watermark on the copy made it hard to read some text

Positives:

Scary concept

Cool artstyle fitting of the story

Features: 

Conversations about feminism, a look at how it could be with a (mostly) man-only world, the worst from both genders

Why did I choose this one?

I have tried reading Stephen King once and it didn't really stick with me. Thought I should try at least once more. Also the premise is super terrifying and would affect me in the real world if it was a real thing that could happen. 

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

Relatively pick-up-able. Here is the thing with this comic ... When it drags, it drags heavily. There was so much text and explanation and retelling of already known information between characters. It really affected the pacing negatively. I think it would help if some dialogue was cut out completely and replaced with expressions from the characters. 

What was the vibe and mood?

Apocalyptic. We didn't really see how much of the outside world was affected (the internet, roads and export/import, politics, media), but it was apocalyptic in the few scenarios we got to see. I also felt unsafe the whole read. The way the "victims" were handled got me feeling sick (endearing in this scenario) 

Final ranking and star rating?

B tier, 3 stars. Fascinating concept, could be executed better. I thought it was a good idea and had mostly good foundations until we dragged some "supernatural" elements into it. I didn't really understand how it was all connected, and I also didn't like how quickly it was wrapped up when starting to handle these elements. 

The dialogue and text, the dragging of the storylines. Lots could be improved. I must be honest and say I haven't read the original book, so I don't know how this compares. At the same time ... this would be better as a show or a movie. 

Still, I would maybe recommend this to those who enjoy comics and want to dip their toes into horror and Stephen King. Could be a starting point. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Body horror

Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

Habitat by Catriona Shine

mysterious tense slow-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

4.0

Publishing date: 17.09.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and The Lilliput Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: My meal disappeared??

The book left me: Deeply disturbed, unable to sleep

Negatives:

Hard to keep track of who is who

Needs some quotation marks for the dialogue (has none!) 

Feels very samey even if the story is progressing 

Unsatisfying ending

Positives:

Have never read or watched this concept before, really refreshing

Tense all the time

Situation gets worse and worse (endearing comment)

Features: 

A deeply unsettling mystery that affects everyone in the story very differently, Norway setting, blaming everyone and no-one at all, no quotation marks for dialogue, a hidden "horror" tag

Why did I choose this one?

Honestly ... I saw that it was set in Oslo and thought I should read it because of that

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

In-between. I had both a hard time getting into it, and a hard time putting it down. It was fluctuating between both throughout my reading experience. Mostly due to the fact that it took a while for something "new" to happen, and when something "new" happened I was entranced. 

I think the slow pacing might be tough for some readers. 

What was the vibe and mood?

It was eerie. I felt unsafe at my own location. I felt like no one would believe me if something strange happened. I had sympathy for all the characters, but wondered if I would believe them myself. I wondered what I would do if I were in their shoes. 

Very creepy, very tense. Have you felt like a house is haunted even if the house is modern? That is this book in essence. 

Final ranking and star rating?

A tier, 4 stars. I enjoyed this a lot. The premise was great, the writing was good (but I wish you used quotation marks in dialogue). A bit up and down with wanting to read or not. 

I have to retract a star because of the ending however. Let us just say that there are some loose ends that need attending to ... or at least a hint at the planned attendance. 

I would recommend this to people who are tired of classic haunted house stories, and people who like when stuff hits the fan and blows back in everyone's faces. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Blood

Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women by Debra Borchert, Kimberly Sullivan, Kimberly Sullivan, Teri M. Brown

4.5

Publishing date: 08.06.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: A cup of tea, spilling tea with my girlfriends

The book left me: Feeling empowered as a woman

Negatives:

Some stories would benefit being their own longer book

Positives:

Lots of different perspectives from very different women

Strong leads in each story

Heartbreaking to joyous

Features: 

23 stories, 4 segments with strong themes, stories taking place in different eras

Why did I choose this one?

I am a woman. I wanted to read more stories with women in the lead. I got exactly what I wanted. 

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

Pick-up-able. This was a book that drew me in immediately. The stories were enticing, and those that weren't were heartbreaking instead. Even if the scenarios were often horrific for the women, I enjoyed reading about them standing up for themselves. 

What was the vibe and mood?

The vibes and moods shift for each story. Simply imagine different horrifying and heartbreaking scenarios women go through and the moods related to those. That's what you get here. 

Final ranking and star rating?

A tier, 4.5 stars. I adored this collection of stories. It was emotional, heartbreaking, and joyous all at once. I really enjoyed reading about all these different scenarios and how the women navigated them. I enjoyed seeing the women develop as people in the few pages I got to know them. However, I wish certain stories were longer or dedicated to their own book. 

This is just nitpicking ... I will be recommending this around doe. Great book!

Favorite stories: 

The Monster

The Youngest Lighthouse Keeper

One August Day

Love makes one Brave

pov - a breakup: for the little miss overthinkers by echoㅈ

3.0

Publishing date: 14.08.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and BookBuzz.net for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: Cookie dough ice cream and salty tears

The book left me: Reflecting on my first breakup

Negatives:

Felt a little bland

Positives:

Could be emotional and useful for those going through a breakup

Features: 

Book is divided into parts and steps of a breakup, a few illustrations, differently formatted poems

Why did I choose this one?

I thought the cover was cute, and I am still in my poem era. 

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

In-between. I was not properly "caught" by this collection. The subject matter wasn't relatable, and the poems themselves were similar to those I have read before. This is not the fault of the author. I also believe that the author has not found their voice yet, but lays down a good base for the future. 

What was the vibe and mood?

Have you been on tumblr and read breakup posts? This is very similar to those. 

Final ranking and star rating?

C tier, 3 stars. This collection is okay. I am also not the target audience as I am in a stable relationship. I have been through a breakup, but that was years ago ... I think the main issue here is that the author is still finding their voice. It felt a little bland and "unpolished". 

Until We Sleep by Alexander Freed, Chad Hardin, David Gaider

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, and Torture

The Broken Few by Mariss Ijaz

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

Publishing date: 27.06.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and Cherish Editions for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: Gnawing on my thoughts

The book left me: Feeling a little sad

Negatives:

Poems can be very heavy, those who has a tendency to relapse should be careful

Positives:

Very emotional and raw

Relatable subjects

Made me feel a lot

Features: 

Poems that can span two pages or just a single line, subject matter that can get very heavy, themes of mental health and relationship (both positive and negative), raw emotions that will make you feel things

Why did I choose this one?

Poetry that explores emotions can be so touching and great. The title alone was enough to know this would be a spiral into emotion-land. The cover also speaks volumes to me and fits the subject matter great.

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

Devourable. I ate this book up. It was almost like getting obsessed with something and not being able to stop engaging with it. It was hit after hit after hit. 

What was the vibe and mood?

This collection is incredibly sad, depressing, and emotional. I would suggest those who are a little more sensitive to these things to take so caution before reading. I felt myself relapsing a little into old thoughts while reading, and I am not the most sensitive to these things out there. 

Final ranking and star rating?

A tier, 4 stars. Great little collection. Made me feel things, and that's all that these collections need to do to get my approval. I would recommend this up down and sideways, but as mentioned, be aware of the heavy subject matter.  

gutter rainbows by Melissa Eleftherion

emotional reflective fast-paced

3.0

Publishing date: 23.08.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and Querencia Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: Cold waffles from yesterday, before all hell broke loose last night

The book left me: Feeling a little filthy

Negatives:

Really hard to understand

Felt a little pretentious 

Sensitive topics came off a little bluntly

Positives:

Many interesting subjects

Feels really personal

Features: 

Different sections with different themes, a personal story told through many different poems, vivid imagery and use of language

Why did I choose this one?

The title alone was enough to suck me in completely. The cover matches the title perfectly, and I am once again scouring for more poems to eat up. 

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

In-between. While the book is very short and quick to read, I was not drawn in enough to actually devour it whole. The subject hits close to home, but the way it came off the page rubbed me the wrong way. 

What was the vibe and mood?

It felt filthy. I felt filthy in my own body while reading this. It was like observing women through a lens of misogyny and objectification. 

Final ranking and star rating?

3 stars, C tier. This book was not really for me, but I am happy I tried it. I am not really sure who the target audience is for this type of book. Maybe unconventional-poem-lovers should read it? Regardless, I will pitch it to people and see if it sticks. 

From These Dark Abodes by Lyndsie Manusos

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Publishing date: 17.09.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and Psychopomp for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: No food for me, whisky on the rocks only 

The book left me: Feeling a deep sense of dread 

Negatives:

Wished it was longer

The twist came a little suddenly 

Positives:

Sublime vibes

Will stick with me for a long time

Great writing

Features: 

A labyrinthine house with horrific hosts, a lowkey murder mystery, LGBTQ rep, a character that does not know who they are or how they got here

Why did I choose this one?

The cover is stunning, the combination of genres is right up my alley, and  the blurb gave just enough intrigue to really want to read it. It seemed like just the book for me. 

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

Very pick-up-able. This book got its claws in me almost immediately. You get thrown into it from the beginning and you really want to see what happens next.

What was the vibe and mood?

Claustrophobic. Wandering a labyrinth. The floor is sticky. The air is stale. The smell of alcohol, blood, and putrid meat follows my every step. I am not safe. I am not free. I am being watched everywhere I go. 

Final ranking and star rating?

A tier, 4 stars. This book was just wonderful and I really enjoyed it. The only downer is the twist at the end and the fact that it was very short. I wished for more and I wished for a different outcome. Even so, I am thoroughly satisfied and I will be strongly recommending this in the future. 

What We Wished For by Ilias Kyriazis

dark emotional fast-paced

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

3.0

Publishing date: 09.07.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and Humanoids Inc. for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: A bucket of popcorn wto go with all the drama

The book left me: Once again grateful that children can't make major life decisions

Negatives:

Story felt a little rushed and would benefit from a little more content and time with the characters

Artstyle is a little strange and might not be for everybody

Turns very dark very quickly

Positives:

Very reminiscent of old comics

Tangible consequences for innocent wishes

Features: 

Triggers for anti-feminism and misogyny (from a woman), reminiscent of old-school comics, wishes and wants with severe consequences, multi-POV

Why did I choose this one?

Sick skater dude on the cover: had to get it. The whole skating thing is not heavily featured in the comic (sad face), but it has it's flashes. I am as mentioned in my earlier reviews of the year, back in my comic loving self from my early teens. This comic looked cool and had a great premise

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

Pick-up-able. The story is a quick read and can be finished in a single sitting, I finished it throughout the day as I was busier than expected. The pacing also benefits from reading it all at once, as there are no proper breaks in-between. 

What was the vibe and mood?

Have you ever heard kids make wishes? Have you ever wondered what the consequences of those wishes were? Have you ever seen adults fumble and fail around sudden unforeseen circumstances? Well if you want to see these things, then read this. Absolute chaos. 

Final ranking and star rating?

3 stars, C tier. This was okay. I had fun reading it, and I think I would recommend it. However, it was nothing groundbreaking. I feel like this story would benefit from a higher page count and more time to develop the characters. You just about have time to get to know them before the story ends. In and of itself the book is just fine, fun but fine. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence

Moderate: Ableism, Gun violence, and Blood