ashfantastic98's reviews
226 reviews

Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Rape

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, and Child death

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Stalking, and Adult/minor relationship

Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars. by Joyce Carol Oates

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Police brutality, Animal death, Death of parent, and Medical content

Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism

Minor: Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt

Eternal by Lisa Scottoline

adventurous challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism and Death

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Abandonment

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

adventurous challenging dark hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

The Guide by Peter Heller

adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking

Minor: Child abuse

From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Stalking

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Toxic relationship

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Lesbophobia