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zenzi2read's reviews
697 reviews
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
On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
This felt like trauma porn
Miao Dao by Joyce Carol Oates
challenging
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
4.0
This dark coming of age story felt like a fully flushed out world, but I do think that too much time to spend at the front end of the story and not nothing at the end. I did enjoy the open, ended nature of the ending, but I think that, there were some portions of the plot that deserved more time
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual harassment
Sinophagia: A Celebration of Chinese Horror by Xueting Christine Ni
After reading four stories and only one I’ve decided that this collection doesn’t suit my tastes
Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Though the premises unique, and the life of a sex worker seems like it could be a scintillating one , Johnny’s day today sex lack sensuality, and are often uncomfortable to witness
The tension in the story is not truly with a person, but with a community and its Eurocentric homophobia. One of the things that make the story wonderful is that Johnny is certain of his rightful place in his community as two spirits. Even when his right to exist and love Are denied his grandmother infused him with the confidence he needs to pursue a life off of the reservation.
This book is written in a first nations, oral traditions style. That can make the verse field story difficult to follow. For most of the book you feel like you’re listening to Johnny’s side quest for money and love and then you hit the third act in our rewarded with. And emotional breakthrough. There’s a lot of love about the story, but the pacing is challenging.
The tension in the story is not truly with a person, but with a community and its Eurocentric homophobia. One of the things that make the story wonderful is that Johnny is certain of his rightful place in his community as two spirits. Even when his right to exist and love Are denied his grandmother infused him with the confidence he needs to pursue a life off of the reservation.
This book is written in a first nations, oral traditions style. That can make the verse field story difficult to follow. For most of the book you feel like you’re listening to Johnny’s side quest for money and love and then you hit the third act in our rewarded with. And emotional breakthrough. There’s a lot of love about the story, but the pacing is challenging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit
Minor: Addiction
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
All of the ideas, themes, and mystery that last year’s speculative fiction release called The Centre Attempted to address and explore are done perfectly here.
I love the complexities of our main characters relationship with her parents and classmates. There’s a balance between love and resentment that the author creates here that’s no easy feat.
I also appreciate that these ideas and storylines were explored thoroughly without the book being overly long. There’s an economy of word here that more authors should consider.
For me, this book had everything for character development, and exciting plot, and a unique point of view.
I love the complexities of our main characters relationship with her parents and classmates. There’s a balance between love and resentment that the author creates here that’s no easy feat.
I also appreciate that these ideas and storylines were explored thoroughly without the book being overly long. There’s an economy of word here that more authors should consider.
For me, this book had everything for character development, and exciting plot, and a unique point of view.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment
Minor: Body horror, Eating disorder, Vomit, Death of parent
She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a gritty noir written in the classic style. Everyone was a complex morally, gray hardened criminal. However, their inner monologues were where they were vulnerable and reflective. The passages that delve into their thoughts is where they gained my empathy.
Chapters in this book played out like a movie and felt cinematic. It was a perfect paste crime thriller read. I’d recommend this for fans of Eli Cranor or Cormac McCarthy.
Chapters in this book played out like a movie and felt cinematic. It was a perfect paste crime thriller read. I’d recommend this for fans of Eli Cranor or Cormac McCarthy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Racial slurs
Palmetto by Ania Ahlborn
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one truly made my skin itch! It did a great job of exploring all of the anxiety around becoming a parent and committing to permanent changes in your life like homeownership.
The Verifiers by Jane Pek
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
This book felt overly long. They were times that our main character would have a conversation with another character that revealed some clues. Then we’d have to sit through a few pages of her writing notes about the conversation and pointing out each clue. This author did not trust us to put clues together or think for ourselves. This book could’ve easily been 300 pages shorter. I also don’t think that the final mystery of the book was that compelling. I was curious about the perpetrator and their motives but the motive was it compelling enough for me.
I also felt that the main character was cookie cutter. I’m kind of tired of this manic pixie thing. A girl who is clumsy with hyper specific fixations that rambles on without thinking when she’s nervous. I feel like this type of characters in too many mystery novels.
I’ve decided not to continue this series after reading the first book
I also felt that the main character was cookie cutter. I’m kind of tired of this manic pixie thing. A girl who is clumsy with hyper specific fixations that rambles on without thinking when she’s nervous. I feel like this type of characters in too many mystery novels.
I’ve decided not to continue this series after reading the first book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abandonment
No Place to Bury the Dead by Karina Sainz Borgo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
A horror novel that’s basically about land rights for the state? This was just too boring for me. I wasn’t connected to either character in the exposition dumps were just too dry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death