asparagusisreading's reviews
608 reviews
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea is a horror fantasy following Laure Mesny, a perfectionist willing to do anything and everything to prove that she, a black girl, can earn and deserve her a top spot in the competitive ballet world. She is tired of the judgement and criticsim of her performance and looks when others are praised and promoted with a blink of an eye, tired of their faults being blinded by status and wealth when her efforts are forgotten.
One day, Laure gives into temptations and explores rumors surrounding another dancer, Josephine, and discovers a river god of blood that can help her achieve what she desires most. With a drop of her blood, Laure desperately strikes a deal with the god to increase her odds at achieving her dreams and gaining the power she's been working hard for. Little does she know, the ability comes with consequences and strength that will push her to do more than she though possible. As she continues to use the ability, gaining power and adoration from peers, broken bodies and death follows, secrets are revealed, and soon she is being hunted by another monster, possibly more monstrous and greedy than her.
How do I start this review? Um, I loved this?! I don't read horror fantasy often and honestly, I need to. This has pushed that genre further on my tbr and I can't wait to read more. I savored this book, only reading 10-30% a day and loved the experience. I admit, I didn't enjoy majority of the characters (they're written that way) but I loved reading about Laure's descent to becoming a villainous and vengeful character. I was rooting for her to succeed and win but also didn't want to see her becoming the monster that others had become. She was feeding herself to the beast (multiple beasts??) after all. Shea beautifully describes the atmosphere of the Catacombs and world of ballet while also including commentary and critique of the racism, nepotism, classism, perfection, and body image struggles that is found within.
My only critiques are about the romance and parental abandonment subplots. I was intrigued by both subplots and wanted to see more out of Laure's interactions with both men. However, I felt the plots were stuck in this middle point of not being enough. This could have been intentional to keep the story focusing on the main plot and to keep some openings for a potential continuation but, I did feel a tad disappointed with how they "ended" by the end of the story. Simply put, I just wanted more of both because they felt small and almost unnecessary.
Overall, I enjoyed Jamison Shea's horror fantasy debut and would absolutely read another from the author. 4.5 stars
One day, Laure gives into temptations and explores rumors surrounding another dancer, Josephine, and discovers a river god of blood that can help her achieve what she desires most. With a drop of her blood, Laure desperately strikes a deal with the god to increase her odds at achieving her dreams and gaining the power she's been working hard for. Little does she know, the ability comes with consequences and strength that will push her to do more than she though possible. As she continues to use the ability, gaining power and adoration from peers, broken bodies and death follows, secrets are revealed, and soon she is being hunted by another monster, possibly more monstrous and greedy than her.
How do I start this review? Um, I loved this?! I don't read horror fantasy often and honestly, I need to. This has pushed that genre further on my tbr and I can't wait to read more. I savored this book, only reading 10-30% a day and loved the experience. I admit, I didn't enjoy majority of the characters (they're written that way) but I loved reading about Laure's descent to becoming a villainous and vengeful character. I was rooting for her to succeed and win but also didn't want to see her becoming the monster that others had become. She was feeding herself to the beast (multiple beasts??) after all. Shea beautifully describes the atmosphere of the Catacombs and world of ballet while also including commentary and critique of the racism, nepotism, classism, perfection, and body image struggles that is found within.
My only critiques are about the romance and parental abandonment subplots. I was intrigued by both subplots and wanted to see more out of Laure's interactions with both men. However, I felt the plots were stuck in this middle point of not being enough. This could have been intentional to keep the story focusing on the main plot and to keep some openings for a potential continuation but, I did feel a tad disappointed with how they "ended" by the end of the story. Simply put, I just wanted more of both because they felt small and almost unnecessary.
Overall, I enjoyed Jamison Shea's horror fantasy debut and would absolutely read another from the author. 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Racism, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Body horror
Minor: Abandonment
Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Is it too early to post my review and rave about this book? I'm going to do it anyway because Livy Hart is feeding us with 3 upcoming releases within the next year and I NEED y'all to read them!
Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart is an adult romance following Mia Madden and Alex Conroy, a pair that seems destined for failure with multiple lousy dates and being in a sticky situation. Their relationship starts off with a messy first date where both miss each other and think they've been stood up. Then more disastrous dates happen and a few little arguments until Mia discovers that Alex is her father's boss, the one that her father despises with his whole being... and their respective best friends are dating. So no matter what they do, they are bound to bump into each other.
Despite all odds seemingly being against them, Alex and Mia strike up a relationship that burns hot but must be kept secret to not upset her dad while also protecting her father's career. What's worse: actually liking and dating your enemy or the possibility he will end your father's career?
First off, I want to thank Livy Hart for inviting me to be a beta reader for this book. I can not tell y'all how unbelievably excited I was to read this after absolutely loving and obsessing over her debut, Talk Flirty to Me. Something I recently learned that I'm enjoying in my books is a messy relationship. Not in the toxic way but where it's clumsy and accidental, they're saying/doing the wrong things, and all parties are interested in one another and trying to work it out. This was that. I found myself laughing, cringing, and biting my nails at their interactions. Some of my favorite scenes of them together was at Mia's job and the boat party (iykyk). Neither were ready for each other and the accidental mess after their initial meeting and no matter how hard they tried to dislike each other and be civil parties with forced proximity, their attraction for each other won in the end.
Overall, I am giving Some Kind of Blunderful 4 stars! I really enjoyed this story! (But not as much as TFTM, that is holding a special place in my heart). It felt like a romcom where things kept going wrong but also somehow right at the same time, cringing a little at the failed dates but I couldn't stop watching (eading in this case.) Just like TFTM, I loved the characters, both the main characters and side characters. If Livy wrote books about her side characters, I will be reading them no questions asked. If Livy Hart continues writing stories with characters that I fall head over heels over getting in sticky situations that have me laughing out loud, I am thrilled to say I will continue picking up her books! Now can I get a confirmation that any of Livy's books are connected...
Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart is an adult romance following Mia Madden and Alex Conroy, a pair that seems destined for failure with multiple lousy dates and being in a sticky situation. Their relationship starts off with a messy first date where both miss each other and think they've been stood up. Then more disastrous dates happen and a few little arguments until Mia discovers that Alex is her father's boss, the one that her father despises with his whole being... and their respective best friends are dating. So no matter what they do, they are bound to bump into each other.
Despite all odds seemingly being against them, Alex and Mia strike up a relationship that burns hot but must be kept secret to not upset her dad while also protecting her father's career. What's worse: actually liking and dating your enemy or the possibility he will end your father's career?
First off, I want to thank Livy Hart for inviting me to be a beta reader for this book. I can not tell y'all how unbelievably excited I was to read this after absolutely loving and obsessing over her debut, Talk Flirty to Me. Something I recently learned that I'm enjoying in my books is a messy relationship. Not in the toxic way but where it's clumsy and accidental, they're saying/doing the wrong things, and all parties are interested in one another and trying to work it out. This was that. I found myself laughing, cringing, and biting my nails at their interactions. Some of my favorite scenes of them together was at Mia's job and the boat party (iykyk). Neither were ready for each other and the accidental mess after their initial meeting and no matter how hard they tried to dislike each other and be civil parties with forced proximity, their attraction for each other won in the end.
Overall, I am giving Some Kind of Blunderful 4 stars! I really enjoyed this story! (But not as much as TFTM, that is holding a special place in my heart). It felt like a romcom where things kept going wrong but also somehow right at the same time, cringing a little at the failed dates but I couldn't stop watching (eading in this case.) Just like TFTM, I loved the characters, both the main characters and side characters. If Livy wrote books about her side characters, I will be reading them no questions asked. If Livy Hart continues writing stories with characters that I fall head over heels over getting in sticky situations that have me laughing out loud, I am thrilled to say I will continue picking up her books! Now can I get a confirmation that any of Livy's books are connected...
My Heart in Braille by Joris Chamblain, Anne-Lise Nalin
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
What a cute, lovely, and heartwarming story about two teenagers struggling in different aspect of their lives and striking up a friendship-to-relationship that rescues them in ways they don't expect. MY HEART IN BRAILLE by JORIS CHAMBLAIN & ANNA-LISE NALIN follows Victor, a teenage boy that struggles with school and often says the wrong things but enjoys his band and excels at his knowledge for cars, when he decides to start sitting up front in his classes. In many of those classes, he shares a desk with Marie, a girl that excels in school and playing the violin but is gradually losing her vision and altering the way she moves in her life accordingly. As the duo strikes up a friendship, they help each other blossom and navigate the world with more confidence in themselves.
I loved the hard-of-hearing/deaf representation included in the story. It was enough for those unfamiliar with the disability to learn about but wasn't too overwhelming or confusing to understand. I am not visually impaired so I can't speak to the accuracy of the accuracy but I did feel the disability was treated with care. I also really loved Marie and Victor's relationship, especially their devotion and support for one another to do excel. Despite my enjoyment of the story, I do wish the story had maybe another 50 pages to flesh out some aspects of the story that were left open-ended and show more of Victor growing into himself, not just his love and relationship with Marie.
I loved the hard-of-hearing/deaf representation included in the story. It was enough for those unfamiliar with the disability to learn about but wasn't too overwhelming or confusing to understand. I am not visually impaired so I can't speak to the accuracy of the accuracy but I did feel the disability was treated with care. I also really loved Marie and Victor's relationship, especially their devotion and support for one another to do excel. Despite my enjoyment of the story, I do wish the story had maybe another 50 pages to flesh out some aspects of the story that were left open-ended and show more of Victor growing into himself, not just his love and relationship with Marie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Never Vacation with Your Ex by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka
2.0
The main character is unlikable and caused both her own and other's problems. Also, I would've been perfectly fine with the main characters ending up as friends only or not each others lives at all at the end, I was not rooting for them whatsoever.
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Pride Not Prejudice: A Romantic Charity Collection Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Community by Rosalind James, Sara Ney, Mira Lyn Kelly, Camille Duplessis, Darynda Jones, Robyn Peterman, Jennifer Ashley, Mila Finelli, Kathy Lyons, Janna MacGregor, Skye Warren, Piper Huguley, Cynthia St. Aubin, Kristan Higgins, Erica Ridley, Ruby Dixon, Kim Loraine, April White, Chencia C. Higgins, Amalie Howard, Hildie McQueen, Kerrigan Byrne
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
- Price of lemon cake: dnf
- Invincible: 3
- When she’s shy: 3
- The kraken and the canary: dnf
- Mafia brute: 4
- To be fair they were pleather: 5
- Lady waverly’s lover: 5 (gimme more of Percy + Honoria)
- The Sweetest Chocolate Drop: dnf
- Escape to New Zealand: dnf
- Billionaire and the Beast: 2
- Dirty Dare: 3
- Drive Me Wild: 4
- Werewolves Save a kitten: 2
- Always love me: dnf
- What lovers do: 4.5
- Caelan: 3.5
- Potential new girlfriend: 5, would continue reading
- Johnson jones diary: 3
- Her princess at midnight: 4, queer Cinderella retelling?
- Love wins: 3
- Inspector and Mrs mac: dnf
Average: 54/21= 2.57✨
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Goodbye, Bella: A Pet Loss Story by Katherine Pendergast
emotional
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
4.0
GOODBYE, BELLA is a short and bittersweet story follows the perspective of Charlotte, a young child, as she is adjusting to the news of her beloved family dog, Bella, is expected to pass away in the near future. Throughout the story, readers are following Charlotte in her day to day life spending time with Bella and saying goodbye to her. I'm sure for many animal lovers and pet owners like me, this story will hit home. I have lost pets in the past and it never gets easier. They become a friend and family member that you're excited to see each day and sad to let go. The story is a cute one, written in a style families and children would enjoy reading together and balances the grief subject well. 5 stars.
Sheets by Brenna Thummler
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
SHEETS follows Marjorie, a teen running her family's laundromat alone, and Wendell, a young ghost in a sheet, who's lives collide with unexplainable disasters and messes but connect in ways both needed. The graphic novel is cute and charming with the soft, colorful and characters that warm your heart. I enjoyed the inclusion and conversations of grief with both the loss of family members and loss of self. I'm excited to continue with the next volumes, 4 stars.