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zenzi2read's reviews
696 reviews
My Mother's House by Francesca Momplaisir
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The publisher of this story compares it to Toni Morrison’s the Bluest Eye and I disagree.
First of all, this is extreme horror. The sexual. violence is explicit and exists in every chapter. I don’t feel like the characters are developed enough to set this title in the literature or literary horror category.
The main character is irredeemably depraved. We spend far too much time in his mind and reveling in his exploits. I wish we had spent more time with the spirit of the house or Lucien’s victims.
The author also decides to deliver the chapters stream of consciousness style. The more disturbed the character is the more fractured the writing is. It made the narrative difficult to follow.
Ultimately my goal was to get to know these women and their backgrounds and their personalities. Their narratives just weren’t reflective enough to achieve that.
I could see a comparison to beloved being made here. You have a house with a spirit seeking revenge on his occupants. But this is no beloved.
First of all, this is extreme horror. The sexual. violence is explicit and exists in every chapter. I don’t feel like the characters are developed enough to set this title in the literature or literary horror category.
The main character is irredeemably depraved. We spend far too much time in his mind and reveling in his exploits. I wish we had spent more time with the spirit of the house or Lucien’s victims.
The author also decides to deliver the chapters stream of consciousness style. The more disturbed the character is the more fractured the writing is. It made the narrative difficult to follow.
Ultimately my goal was to get to know these women and their backgrounds and their personalities. Their narratives just weren’t reflective enough to achieve that.
I could see a comparison to beloved being made here. You have a house with a spirit seeking revenge on his occupants. But this is no beloved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Kidnapping
Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
I generally struggle with short story collections because it’s a mixed bag.
This collection was filled with memorable characters and ideas. Tremblay, knows how to slowly ratchet up the fear and tension in a story. Growing Things is the lowest ranked in my opinion, but they only get better from there . my personal favorite is 19 pictures.
There are also three stories that are from the world of one of his other titles – head full of ghosts.
This collection was filled with memorable characters and ideas. Tremblay, knows how to slowly ratchet up the fear and tension in a story. Growing Things is the lowest ranked in my opinion, but they only get better from there . my personal favorite is 19 pictures.
There are also three stories that are from the world of one of his other titles – head full of ghosts.
I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
This grief horror really let me down at the end. Many books struggle with the set up for supernatural occurrences, but that’s where this book thrived. There was a lot of detailed character development for both our main character and her late husband and her disability was treated with care and respect.
I also like the way the séance environment was set up. This gave enough detail to help us understand why other stances hadn’t worked and what makes this specific place time and group of people a perfect storm of supernatural energy.
The end that explained most of the plot was a real letdown. Things that I think were supposed to be twists we’re not especially surprising for me. Also a book that had been very grounded as a supernatural thriller flies off the rails at the end.
I also like the way the séance environment was set up. This gave enough detail to help us understand why other stances hadn’t worked and what makes this specific place time and group of people a perfect storm of supernatural energy.
The end that explained most of the plot was a real letdown. Things that I think were supposed to be twists we’re not especially surprising for me. Also a book that had been very grounded as a supernatural thriller flies off the rails at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Car accident
Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Entertaining but predictable. Thank goodness it was fast paced. The characters were fairly cookie cutter, especially the police. Their dialogue felt like an episode of law and order.
Although I knew where this was going the stops along the way kept me entertained. The criminal element and subcultures used during the getaway or what kept this book lively.
Although I knew where this was going the stops along the way kept me entertained. The criminal element and subcultures used during the getaway or what kept this book lively.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Sexual violence
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.5
I understand why this book is at the top of so many literary fiction lists! Al the book is short I felt like I understood each character, and they were unique to themselves. Each girls, motivation and obstacles work captured. It also felt that each girl was transformed by her experiences in the ring and carry them with her to her next bout
The only bad thing about this book was that the language of the fighting was a bit muddy. They were times that I didn’t understand what was happening in the ring. I would need to reread passages to understand developments in the fight and who was winning. Honestly, I barely understood the final fights outcome and had to reread the passage a number of times.
I did raise an eyebrow at this cast of girls. The author doesn’t state that they are white, but they are absolutely white coded In the text. That is an interesting choice in the world of boxing. I was curious enough to take a peek at the junior women’s boxing website and the girls featured there were overwhelmingly girls of color. Specifically, Latina, black and south Asian. It felt like a definite choice to exclude these girls from a in the text. That is an interesting choice in the world of boxing. I was curious enough to take a peek at the junior women’s boxing website and the girls featured their were overwhelmingly girls of color. Specifically, Latina, black and south Asian. It felt like a definite choice to exclude these girls from a sport that they dominate in.
Still, I recommend this book. After I completed it, I returned to a few of the passages to experience them again.
The only bad thing about this book was that the language of the fighting was a bit muddy. They were times that I didn’t understand what was happening in the ring. I would need to reread passages to understand developments in the fight and who was winning. Honestly, I barely understood the final fights outcome and had to reread the passage a number of times.
I did raise an eyebrow at this cast of girls. The author doesn’t state that they are white, but they are absolutely white coded In the text. That is an interesting choice in the world of boxing. I was curious enough to take a peek at the junior women’s boxing website and the girls featured there were overwhelmingly girls of color. Specifically, Latina, black and south Asian. It felt like a definite choice to exclude these girls from a in the text. That is an interesting choice in the world of boxing. I was curious enough to take a peek at the junior women’s boxing website and the girls featured their were overwhelmingly girls of color. Specifically, Latina, black and south Asian. It felt like a definite choice to exclude these girls from a sport that they dominate in.
Still, I recommend this book. After I completed it, I returned to a few of the passages to experience them again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Violence, Death of parent
I'm Not Done with You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wish that this book had started in the middle. Jane is an unrealized and shallow woman. She doesn’t have an introspective nature which makes following her point of view Exhausting. Talia is more dynamic but not by much.
Unfortunately, the line share of this book is from Jane’s point of view. She is filled with impotent rage in the middle of an uneventful life. I am a custom to this offer is writing and I knew that eventually the story would become interesting as the women met and began to interact. This happened at about 65% of the story. The last third was interesting. We really begin to explore the inner life of these characters in a way that I wish we done from the beginning.
This book was relatively short, but it felt long. The pacing was simply unforgivable.
Unfortunately, the line share of this book is from Jane’s point of view. She is filled with impotent rage in the middle of an uneventful life. I am a custom to this offer is writing and I knew that eventually the story would become interesting as the women met and began to interact. This happened at about 65% of the story. The last third was interesting. We really begin to explore the inner life of these characters in a way that I wish we done from the beginning.
This book was relatively short, but it felt long. The pacing was simply unforgivable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess by Andy Marino
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
Sydney is weak willed and desires acceptance and is desperately insecure. That makes her boring character to follow for this journey. The book starts all interesting enough and then for much of the middle. It just drags on without direction. It has a fever, drink quality and jumps through time although it would’ve been better, serve with the more straightforward storytelling method.
Also, this is more of a thriller than horror . About 75% of this book reads like a straight domestic thriller and maybe it should’ve stayed that way.
Many of the reveals and twists were easy enough for me to guess. Ultimately this is an interesting idea that didn’t amount to much.
Also, this is more of a thriller than horror . About 75% of this book reads like a straight domestic thriller and maybe it should’ve stayed that way.
Many of the reveals and twists were easy enough for me to guess. Ultimately this is an interesting idea that didn’t amount to much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual assault
Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat by
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was equal parts, humorous, and heartbreaking. Pat Williams is charismatic and hilarious. Her ability to turn her misfortune into a joke can make some of the most devastating parts of this book digestible. Her lifestyle was not for the faint of heart and it’s tough to swallow That she did so much harm for so long.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This story never really grabbed me. I spent a lot of time trying to orient myself and understand his point of view that I was experiencing and what part they were playing in larger society and I didn’t really get even a tentative grasp until the final section.
In some ways, this reminded me of how to lose the time war.
In some ways, this reminded me of how to lose the time war.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun fast paced slasher that spent quality time at the beginning, developing each member of the group.
The dual timeline was handled well, and I never felt lost as timelines, and POV’s were switched. For me, the biggest flaw was the ending and explanation.
The dual timeline was handled well, and I never felt lost as timelines, and POV’s were switched. For me, the biggest flaw was the ending and explanation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Car accident, Abortion