catlion27's reviews
218 reviews

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

adventurous tense medium-paced

4.0

A unique re-imagining of the problems of Reconstruction, but caused by zombies. It ends without resolving some big things but I still enjoyed the story.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

reflective slow-paced

4.25

An interesting and reflective story on innocence and who we really are. It's a slow, philosophical book, but does an excellent job of helping you piece together what happened and rewarding reading between the lines. It feels literary, a bit like a fairy tale, especially at the beginning.

Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Delightful and still very different from book 1. I liked the relationship a lot and how they used their strengths for each other and supported and respected each other. The action at the end was very exciting and tense, too.

Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I really liked this one. Tense and interesting all the way through. In the past I've been bothered by Dresden needing to describe what felt like every woman's body that he came across, but in this book the times that he lingered on someone's sex appeal felt intentional (by the author). It's a weakness of Dresden's that many characters use to manipulate or exploit him, and I think the book used that to good effect. 

Everyone is right: Michael is a delight. 

Good setup and payoff from the (fantastic) beginning scene, though the plot was a little convoluted and there was at least one plot thread that I felt didn't go anywhere. 

Overall I really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would, and I'm excited to continue the series in a way that I wasn't after book 2. 

Hellboy Vol. 2: Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola

4.25

I liked this one slightly better than the first one. More good quips from Hellboy, and I think more clear "thesis" from him about deviating from his "destiny." More fleshed out from the villains, too, though I do want more from the Bureau side characters.

Hellboy, Vol. 1: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola, John Byrne

4.0

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Delightfully creepy and really good. Gave me chills many times. The main character and especially the side characters were endearing, too.

Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.5

This was lots of fun. The worldbuilding is deft and interesting, the magic is not overexplained (it falls on the poetic side), the gods of the world and how it works are fascinating, and the characters are fun to watch. Also, Max Gladstone knows how to write a well-crafted sentence. 

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

lighthearted relaxing 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

A cute, steamy romance. Some of the situations the characters found themselves in were ridiculous, but to me that added to the charm. The premise was very fun and I liked watching the characters inch closer.

I enjoyed the first 60-70% more than the rest (Idk if this is just a thing for me with emotional genres? I've encountered this with horror, too) as you're in the thick of it, cuteness-wise. I wasn't as sold on the turn the characters took in their relationship at the 70%ish mark, and some of the end didn't land as well, but overall I had fun. 

She Deserves Better. Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, and Speaking Up by Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, Sheila Wray Gregoire, Joanna Sawatsky

challenging hopeful informative

5.0

So much incredible, excellent work here from the team. Even though it's dealing with heavy topics, it manages to be hopeful and provide great resources for approaching these topics in a healthier way moving forward.