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goody_reads's reviews
243 reviews
Dukes of Ruin by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
I hated all these characters so much and the ending as so abrupt and dumb now I have to read the next one because I’m so mad about the ending and now I’m even more annoyed.
Lavinia is a cog in this machine that treats her so shitty. Everyone is doing such horrible things to her and everyone is just ok with that.
Not my style.
The men, the smut, it’s all just so horrible.
Lavinia is a cog in this machine that treats her so shitty. Everyone is doing such horrible things to her and everyone is just ok with that.
Not my style.
The men, the smut, it’s all just so horrible.
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
fast-paced
4.0
I chose this because I like horror and I am always looking for more Indigenous writing to incorporate into my teaching.
This was a good mix of stories. Out of all of them I liked about half and had 3 favorites.
I thought the end of the book was stronger than the beginning. There were a couple stories I didn’t understand at all and some that were really detailed and well written.
Will use some of these in my classroom for sure.
This was a good mix of stories. Out of all of them I liked about half and had 3 favorites.
I thought the end of the book was stronger than the beginning. There were a couple stories I didn’t understand at all and some that were really detailed and well written.
Will use some of these in my classroom for sure.
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
I don’t know. I like Douglass’ writing style but this story fell flat.
Many of the characters are flawed, the story has some far fetched pieces that save the day, and the spice is minimal.
Essentially everyone is having rich people’s problems, boys get sent to prison, blame gets thrown around, and everyone is a mess.
The epilogue was long and drawn out but at least no babies amiright.
Many of the characters are flawed, the story has some far fetched pieces that save the day, and the spice is minimal.
Essentially everyone is having rich people’s problems, boys get sent to prison, blame gets thrown around, and everyone is a mess.
The epilogue was long and drawn out but at least no babies amiright.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
medium-paced
3.5
There’s always one word in Malermans books that grinds my gears and makes me cringe every time I see it. This books word is Daddo. If I never see it again it’ll be too soon.
This is written in a different format from a kids POV so it’s a quick read. That being said, I’m not exactly sure I understood the ending. Or maybe I did and I was unfulfilled?
It’s about Bela and her Ned Flanders dad and terrible mother (I can’t even think of a synonymous character) who are plagued with Other Mommy.
Stuff happens, the dogs live, and maybe we learn a lesson about innocence and gratitude and demons I guess.
This is written in a different format from a kids POV so it’s a quick read. That being said, I’m not exactly sure I understood the ending. Or maybe I did and I was unfulfilled?
It’s about Bela and her Ned Flanders dad and terrible mother (I can’t even think of a synonymous character) who are plagued with Other Mommy.
Stuff happens, the dogs live, and maybe we learn a lesson about innocence and gratitude and demons I guess.
The Woods by Vanessa Savage
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
3.5
This is a story of death, murder, rape, and amnesia.
Unfortunately the FMC is insufferable to listen to and, if you listen to the rest of the characters, be around in general.
Tess comes back home after 10 years because her stepmom is dying. She’s avoided coming home due to her mothers death, sisters death, and fathers remarriage.
Also, her new stepmom left the neighbors family to join hers because why not. So now everyone is bitter and unhappy.
It’s a fine story but I really did not like Tess and she’s an embarrassment to her namesake. Although the story is predictable if you know the story of the OG Tess.
Unfortunately the FMC is insufferable to listen to and, if you listen to the rest of the characters, be around in general.
Tess comes back home after 10 years because her stepmom is dying. She’s avoided coming home due to her mothers death, sisters death, and fathers remarriage.
Also, her new stepmom left the neighbors family to join hers because why not. So now everyone is bitter and unhappy.
It’s a fine story but I really did not like Tess and she’s an embarrassment to her namesake. Although the story is predictable if you know the story of the OG Tess.
Palmetto by Ania Ahlborn
fast-paced
4.0
This was creepy crawly and gross. But fast paced and good.
It’s reminiscent of Arachnophobia and AHS Delicate.
Kim and Eddie buy a new house. Everything is not as perfect as it seems when they first arrive and Kim tries her best to keep it together.
TW: animal death
It’s reminiscent of Arachnophobia and AHS Delicate.
Kim and Eddie buy a new house. Everything is not as perfect as it seems when they first arrive and Kim tries her best to keep it together.
TW: animal death
Crossed by Emily McIntire
slow-paced
2.0
Least favorite of the series. Negative spiciness.
Amaya has a terrible mother who sleeps with everyone and abandons her and her special needs brother.
Amaya needs help and gets indebted to a rich jerk.
Things happen and the circle closes.
HEA and done.
Amaya has a terrible mother who sleeps with everyone and abandons her and her special needs brother.
Amaya needs help and gets indebted to a rich jerk.
Things happen and the circle closes.
HEA and done.
Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This is a sad story about a girl experiencing Munchausen by Proxy.
Julie’s mom is the worst; she abuses pretty much everyone who she can exercise power over.
The doctors seem so blind to what is happening and participate easily in the abuse of the children.
This is a different type of story because it contains photographs and actual medical documentation.
Julie’s mom is the worst; she abuses pretty much everyone who she can exercise power over.
The doctors seem so blind to what is happening and participate easily in the abuse of the children.
This is a different type of story because it contains photographs and actual medical documentation.
Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
This book could have used an editor or co-author.
The formatting itself is problematic. Many reviews I read mentioned that some pages are cut off. Looking at pics, my book is also slightly cut off but I did have all the words.
I also read a review about how x rated and detailed the sex scenes are. Maybe it’s my smut talking, but there is hardly any description in the sex scenes so that’s not problematic.
This is a lot of name dropping for a guy who says he doesn’t do that anymore and doesn’t find value in other people’s popularity. Although those names mean nothing to me so I was not impressed.
At first this does romanticize drug use as many other drug memoirs do. But then it does get into the gross details of shooting up, not showering, vomit, blood, infections…
Overall I’m not sure that the author learned much of anything but I am not mad that I read it.
The formatting itself is problematic. Many reviews I read mentioned that some pages are cut off. Looking at pics, my book is also slightly cut off but I did have all the words.
I also read a review about how x rated and detailed the sex scenes are. Maybe it’s my smut talking, but there is hardly any description in the sex scenes so that’s not problematic.
This is a lot of name dropping for a guy who says he doesn’t do that anymore and doesn’t find value in other people’s popularity. Although those names mean nothing to me so I was not impressed.
At first this does romanticize drug use as many other drug memoirs do. But then it does get into the gross details of shooting up, not showering, vomit, blood, infections…
Overall I’m not sure that the author learned much of anything but I am not mad that I read it.
Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliams
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Loved this. It has everything I like. POV changing chapters, supernatural elements, historical base.
It’s reminiscent of The Vanishing Half coupled with Ring Shout. Both of which are also amazing.
This is about twin girls who were separated shortly after birth. The darker skinned one moved to Harlem with her grandmother while the lighter one stayed in Georgia on a cotton plantation with her grandmother. Magic and the past come together to rectify the abuses of the past and present to bring hope to the future.
It’s reminiscent of The Vanishing Half coupled with Ring Shout. Both of which are also amazing.
This is about twin girls who were separated shortly after birth. The darker skinned one moved to Harlem with her grandmother while the lighter one stayed in Georgia on a cotton plantation with her grandmother. Magic and the past come together to rectify the abuses of the past and present to bring hope to the future.