alysbookclub's reviews
228 reviews

Goldfinch by Raven Kennedy

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Though I loved coming back to these characters, the book tended to feel rushed at some points -

I was also sad that some POVs were abandoned, like Rissa's. The end was okay, but again, rushed and I was unsatisfied with the hanging thread of Ryatt's discontent.

Rose/House by Arkady Martine

challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

This book had me riveted from the beginning, but I can't help but feel let down by the lack of answers at the end - I know that's kind of the point, but I'm still feeling lost without them. I know this is going to be a story that sticks with me for awhile regardless. Utterly haunting. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement

Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning

dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

I love classic summer camp slashers! This was a fun twist on the classic camp setup - and the tension had me up late reading and then scared to leave my bed 🙏. Though the characters are all flawed, they were in turn loveable, relatable, and fun to hate. Recommend as a very solid mysterious modern slasher!

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Reread - audiobook

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed the writing of this reimagined fairytale. The double POV was unexpected but I also really enjoyed it - Hester was especially fun to follow and allowed for some breathing room around Cordelia's very dark and sad upbringing. Overall, a really strong dark fairytale with great character writing!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Murder

Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson

dark funny tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Delish S. Dawson is quickly becoming one of my favorite horror authors. I read Bloom last month and cannot shake it - I have a feeling this one will be the same.

Ready or Not is one of my fave slasher movies, and I loved The Menu, so I knew this one would be perfect for me. Reversal of power structures due to class systems in a horror setting are one of my favorite tropes.

I absolutely love the writing style. It's a perfect balance of following one character while still getting god's view moments. 

I read this in one sitting - though you can guess how things will go once events kick off, the horror, inevitability, and grotesque satisfaction of it all keeps you hooked (when she says in the author's note that all the deaths are deserved, she's not joking). Do yourself a favor and block off an evening to read this!! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Rape and Vomit

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

I loved this - I was really hopeful going in and wasn't disappointed. The writing is so fun and I loved the characters and their political scheming. The Queen's of Villainy are such a fun girl gang and I can't wait to read the rest of their stories!

The romance was so so sweet I was squealing - I love a cinnamon bun MMC who stands up for his girl.

The vibes actually reminded me alot of Dreadful, which I loved - just villainous castle shenanigans with the best found families.

The Stars Are Dying by Chloe C. Peñaranda
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

I really really wanted to like this one - I still think I could like the story but I can't get past the disjointed writing - its always just a bit off and I have to keep rereading it. The conversation is also really unnatural.

Hallowed Games by C.N. Crawford

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.0

A decent romantasy - unfortunately there wasn't anything really original that made it stand out, but it was an interesting fast-paced read that I enjoyed! The romance was meh, but I think that's

because Elowen will most likely be with Sion next book

. Sometimes I found the conversations to be a little to direct and unnatural, but otherwise it was okay.

Interested to see what the whole memory loss/remembering thing will be.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous emotional tense medium-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

3.75

First off, I'll say I did enjoy this book! I'm definitely locked in for the series! It was fun and kept me invested.
 
However, there were a few things that brought down my rating - namely, in the first half of the book the characters felt really one dimensional - thankfully, by the end they felt fuller and more interesting. Also, the writing was only okay (not bad, just nothing to get excited about). 

I loved the multi-dimensional worlds, the concept of the quicksilver, and the

addition of the gods - they are a fun twist I loved to see.

I also loved the fated mates and forced proximity.

Overall it was a good read and I have high hopes for the next book!