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aingealwroth's reviews
253 reviews
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-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
While you will run face first into some neurotypical nonsense (like the girls not declaring what conversation they are actually having) and a very strong amount of internalized neurodivergent/ableist shaming, this book is otherwise a lot of light hearted, hot, Sapphic rom-com goodness. What little drama there is gets swiftly (and cleanly) resolved and everything ends on a high "do what makes you happy" note. Would recommend.
(Bonus, while it is a sports book and there is some discussion of sports, and in-depth understanding of football or American soccer is not needed. It makes sense as the characters discuss it, and most terms have context to explain. Would improve rec for the book if you like the sport, though, as it is infused with the plot.)
(Bonus, while it is a sports book and there is some discussion of sports, and in-depth understanding of football or American soccer is not needed. It makes sense as the characters discuss it, and most terms have context to explain. Would improve rec for the book if you like the sport, though, as it is infused with the plot.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The fastest way to describe this "DNFed but still recommend it" book is that if I were able to annotate a physical copy or watch it on a screen I'd have adored it.
With 5+ POVs (3 core, rest revolving side characters) and flashbacks starting at about 40% of the way into the book... it was just too much to keep track of. While the book declares whose POV you're in at the start of the chapter, it's not always good about making timeline or POV continuously clear as it tells it. (Bad move for them on the audio book, to not have at least different narrators/voices for the core POVs.)
Other than my DNF reasons listed above, the part of this book I read (58%) was fabulous. "Lesbians doing Game of Thrones right and burning down the patriarchy" is never something to argue with, especially in a high-fantasy that's not a white-based world.
Highly recommend trying it if it sounds good to you.
With 5+ POVs (3 core, rest revolving side characters) and flashbacks starting at about 40% of the way into the book... it was just too much to keep track of. While the book declares whose POV you're in at the start of the chapter, it's not always good about making timeline or POV continuously clear as it tells it. (Bad move for them on the audio book, to not have at least different narrators/voices for the core POVs.)
Other than my DNF reasons listed above, the part of this book I read (58%) was fabulous. "Lesbians doing Game of Thrones right and burning down the patriarchy" is never something to argue with, especially in a high-fantasy that's not a white-based world.
Highly recommend trying it if it sounds good to you.
Sutton Asylum by Kinsley Kincaid
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Lower rating because this wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. More "Purge" movies and less Harley Quinn romance, in my opinion.
Yes, this is a taboo relationship dark romance, but it didn't have as much actual relationship as I was hoping for. We don't see the two mains get together or their fight to be together, we're sort of dropped into a "they've been together 4+ years" story space that feels odd for a romance.
There is equal parts spice and torture, which is substantially more detailed on the gore than I was expecting. It ends up feeling like erotica of both kinds with only the smallest sliver of plot oriented around setting up the second book. Additionally, the couple is portrayed as being the 'King and Queen' of the asylum, but other than threatening the loudest and being popular, they have no power. Not even like "stuck in prison, have the trade network and dirt on everyone" power.
TLDR: While this is decent, I would have liked it better if we got more of an actual dark romance with a little less "Harley Quinn escapes Arkham Asylum the bloodiest way possible" wish fulfillment.
((Note for ebook: If you get the digital book from the author's site, which is one of the only ways to get it, the 'watermark' will be VERY distracting and there are no returns so be careful.))
Yes, this is a taboo relationship dark romance, but it didn't have as much actual relationship as I was hoping for. We don't see the two mains get together or their fight to be together, we're sort of dropped into a "they've been together 4+ years" story space that feels odd for a romance.
There is equal parts spice and torture, which is substantially more detailed on the gore than I was expecting. It ends up feeling like erotica of both kinds with only the smallest sliver of plot oriented around setting up the second book. Additionally, the couple is portrayed as being the 'King and Queen' of the asylum, but other than threatening the loudest and being popular, they have no power. Not even like "stuck in prison, have the trade network and dirt on everyone" power.
TLDR: While this is decent, I would have liked it better if we got more of an actual dark romance with a little less "Harley Quinn escapes Arkham Asylum the bloodiest way possible" wish fulfillment.
((Note for ebook: If you get the digital book from the author's site, which is one of the only ways to get it, the 'watermark' will be VERY distracting and there are no returns so be careful.))
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
1.75*
While this hasn't aged the best (the problematic aspects of misogyny and racism are so harsh) it still has a place as a "classic" and the horror aspects hold up well. Granted, most of the horror is in the ending because Rosemary's psychotic break results with her in giving into the gaslighting, but alas, it's still horrifying. Has a stronger level of "eerie" than most horror stories that this spawned in the subgenre of "demonic kids" and is one of the better examples.
TLDR: Original movie held very close to the original material, just presented things as more subjective.
While this hasn't aged the best (the problematic aspects of misogyny and racism are so harsh) it still has a place as a "classic" and the horror aspects hold up well. Granted, most of the horror is in the ending because Rosemary's psychotic break results with her in giving into the gaslighting, but alas, it's still horrifying. Has a stronger level of "eerie" than most horror stories that this spawned in the subgenre of "demonic kids" and is one of the better examples.
TLDR: Original movie held very close to the original material, just presented things as more subjective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Alcohol, and Classism
Dark Restraint by Katee Robert
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is a plot continuation storyline with a 'forbidden dark romance' layered over it.
Not the worst of the series, but close. I didn't enjoy the "even though he's just as terrible at communication as he started, somehow she's magically understanding him now" thing that happens in this one, which lowered it by an additional 0.5* for me. There is a fair bit of choice invalidation in this one, especially near the start and end.
(If it had just been novella length for this romance-only, I'd have adored it, but all the other stuff mucked about with it, imo.)
Not the worst of the series, but close. I didn't enjoy the "even though he's just as terrible at communication as he started, somehow she's magically understanding him now" thing that happens in this one, which lowered it by an additional 0.5* for me. There is a fair bit of choice invalidation in this one, especially near the start and end.
(If it had just been novella length for this romance-only, I'd have adored it, but all the other stuff mucked about with it, imo.)
We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A dark fairytale with a worthy ending, told in poem format. This tackles difficult issues and needs to be approached with mental health and safety in mind, but highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Self harm, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying and Medical content
Cubs & Campfires by Dylan Drakes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
C&C is a story about being true to yourself while find what actually works, a book about thick boys with thicker... parts getting to have a good time together and finding their HEA as accidentally as they find each other. There is humour, heart, heat, with a very strong positive message about real-ness and body positivity. Highly recommend this one, though it may make you want to abandon civilisation for the summer, its worth the risk.
Vials and Tribulations by S.L. Rowland
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
3.25*
Lowered rating due to the set up of book 2 leading... almost nowhere in this one. This book tied off the loose ends but didn't take advantage of the majority of the plot that was there for the taking.
In total this series ended up being about how we all need to help each other and how systemic poverty can corrupt a system (not to mention how people get treated). Overall a great message, but it gets pushed a bit hard to make this idle reading. Maybe for a YA (or younger) audience the large emotional swings, lack of a direct "villain" (though there is an antagonist) and the blatant moral component wouldn't hit so awkwardly.
All in all, a tolerable end for the trilogy.
Lowered rating due to the set up of book 2 leading... almost nowhere in this one. This book tied off the loose ends but didn't take advantage of the majority of the plot that was there for the taking.
In total this series ended up being about how we all need to help each other and how systemic poverty can corrupt a system (not to mention how people get treated). Overall a great message, but it gets pushed a bit hard to make this idle reading. Maybe for a YA (or younger) audience the large emotional swings, lack of a direct "villain" (though there is an antagonist) and the blatant moral component wouldn't hit so awkwardly.
All in all, a tolerable end for the trilogy.
Path to Villainy: An NPC Kobold's Tale by S.L. Rowland
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
1.25*
Unsure where a lot of the reviews are coming from with their "fun" comments, but either they enjoy carnage or... idk. But between the reviews and the synopsis, this one does suffer a little from a "not what I was expecting" aspect.
This is incredibly dark and twisted, being a story more of someone getting pushed so far that they suffer a psychotic break instead of a true villain arc. For what it is, it's really good.
Unfortunately, it sinks itself even further for me by having a "femme character must be killed for plot reasons" and ingloriously with Mind Control, to boot. Which is why it's such a low star rating for me.
Unsure where a lot of the reviews are coming from with their "fun" comments, but either they enjoy carnage or... idk. But between the reviews and the synopsis, this one does suffer a little from a "not what I was expecting" aspect.
This is incredibly dark and twisted, being a story more of someone getting pushed so far that they suffer a psychotic break instead of a true villain arc. For what it is, it's really good.
Unfortunately, it sinks itself even further for me by having a "femme character must be killed for plot reasons" and ingloriously with Mind Control, to boot. Which is why it's such a low star rating for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Torture
Magic and Mayhem by S.L. Rowland
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
While I enjoyed this (not as much as the first, but still) it is so OBVIOUSLY a set up for the third book that it does take a little something out of it. Also, the "you can't save them all" logic being used the way it was in the book both had a smack of privilege bias and was used as a consolation prize rather than a rally to save those that could be, which is icky.