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jesslaurenbooks's reviews
110 reviews
Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
WEIRD rhetoric/ideology about rape. Garrett is a monster and I swear if I read how great of a brother he is (as if that makes it okay??) I was going to lose it so I had to stop. Major MAJOR characterization issues across the board, but saying that because your rapist who was 19 when you were 15 and got you drunk that it’s a grey area (no, actually, it really isn’t) is a great brother and would therefore be a decent dad blows my mind!! Um fucking what??? Also, she flat out said that Garrett grew up in a world where you have to trick girls into having sex so it’s fine absofuckinglutely not. I understand portraying trauma is hard and everyone deals with it differently but considered me triggered because WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT! She notoriously has characterization issues, which I was able to ignore in my childhood, but I cannot and I will not condone this weird ass take. He is a predator. Point blank. I have never been so angry about a character choice as I am right now. You can make complicated and nuanced characters without doing it that way. You have to build them up BEFORE you tear them down, not after. And if you do it after, have some tact. Kelley, if you’re reading this I’m so sorry, however, I am also so mad. The darkest powers trilogy was my favorite growing up and I don’t think I’ll ever look at it the same again. I am typically not this harsh, but I’m still very mad about this.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Misogyny
Blood Circus by Camila Victoire
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this one. My own fault really, I didn't read the description. It says this is for fans of the Hunger Games, but I almost think it suits the 100 fans better. If you're comparing it to the Blodreina season, that is.
A girl is thrown into a world she knows next to nothing about, and when she's captured, she and 13 other girls go through a series of challenges called the blood race.
There's so much more to it than that, and that may be the book's downfall. When we started talking magic I started to get less into it and it started to feel rushed.
However, this story says a lot about acceptance and humans unwillingness to do just that. It really makes you think, but there were some elements I just couldn't get behind. No trigger warnings at the beginning was a big one. The trigger warnings (that I can think of) are as follows: CANNIBALISM- A LOT OF IT WTH, death, gore, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, fights to the death, and more
A girl is thrown into a world she knows next to nothing about, and when she's captured, she and 13 other girls go through a series of challenges called the blood race.
There's so much more to it than that, and that may be the book's downfall. When we started talking magic I started to get less into it and it started to feel rushed.
However, this story says a lot about acceptance and humans unwillingness to do just that. It really makes you think, but there were some elements I just couldn't get behind. No trigger warnings at the beginning was a big one. The trigger warnings (that I can think of) are as follows: CANNIBALISM- A LOT OF IT WTH, death, gore, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, fights to the death, and more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Cannibalism
Moderate: Bullying, Self harm, and Fire/Fire injury
Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Upon seeing the gorgeous cover- I was reminded of House of Hollow By Krystal Sutherland. I have been chasing that creepy YA fantasy intertwined with floral notes ever since reading it.
House of Hollow this was not. The story centers around a town named Bishop, where the terrifying winds were the least of their problems. Women disappear or die from seemingly natural causes every so often. Everyone in town just seems okay with it? Like it's just another Tuesday, "no I haven't seen Marge since Friday guess she disappeared". However, no one except men seem to be able to leave Bishop. Four girls whose mothers disappeared on the same day decide to move in together and look after each other. As the days drag on, they start to notice whispers of secrets the town would rather keep buried.
There were many plot points that were neither explored or discussed and ultimately, the story felt rushed. It definitely had a creepy vibe but the ending sort of fell apart. An interesting book, but took me a while to finish because of the pacing. If you've read it, what are your thoughts?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. This title is available now!
House of Hollow this was not. The story centers around a town named Bishop, where the terrifying winds were the least of their problems. Women disappear or die from seemingly natural causes every so often. Everyone in town just seems okay with it? Like it's just another Tuesday, "no I haven't seen Marge since Friday guess she disappeared". However, no one except men seem to be able to leave Bishop. Four girls whose mothers disappeared on the same day decide to move in together and look after each other. As the days drag on, they start to notice whispers of secrets the town would rather keep buried.
There were many plot points that were neither explored or discussed and ultimately, the story felt rushed. It definitely had a creepy vibe but the ending sort of fell apart. An interesting book, but took me a while to finish because of the pacing. If you've read it, what are your thoughts?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. This title is available now!
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Literally a waste of my time. I am honestly shocked I made myself finish this book.
Loveless by Alice Oseman
This was fucking brilliant.
If I had this book in high school it would have saved me a lot of time going on dates with boys I didn't actually like because I felt like I was weird for not having crushes.
I do, however, want to take away a star due to the super drawn Out miscommunication trope. I still think it is a 5 🌟 book though. Even though it pains me that they had that conflict for so long, I felt like it was really realistic to how hurt a friend would be in their situation. I literally have been reading this book off and on since September which is crazy, but it literally gave me an identity crisis because I was relating to Georgia a little too much.
When I tell you I bawled my eyes out, I mean it. Big tears. Multiple times. This book healed something in me I didn't know needed healing.
If I had this book in high school it would have saved me a lot of time going on dates with boys I didn't actually like because I felt like I was weird for not having crushes.
I do, however, want to take away a star due to the super drawn Out miscommunication trope. I still think it is a 5 🌟 book though. Even though it pains me that they had that conflict for so long, I felt like it was really realistic to how hurt a friend would be in their situation. I literally have been reading this book off and on since September which is crazy, but it literally gave me an identity crisis because I was relating to Georgia a little too much.
When I tell you I bawled my eyes out, I mean it. Big tears. Multiple times. This book healed something in me I didn't know needed healing.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
I knew how it was going to end when she called Eitan.
I can forgive a lot of things, but I draw the line at giant rabbit men
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In true Ninth House fashion, this book was weird as hell. However, it wasn't dark for the sake of being dark like the first book was. I think we all know what scenes I'm referring to here.
Now, as much as I adore these dark af murderers, I have to say that the story was, underwhelming? It was awesome, but it wasn't surprising. I knew how it was going to end when she called Eitan.
I can forgive a lot of things, but I draw the line at giant rabbit men. And ugly covers.
I swear, if Alex and Darlington don't have sex at least once in the next book, I will not rest.
Leigh, I love you, but you are killing me. There's going to be a 3rd book? I don't know if I can wait years for the third to come out. But I will, because this book is like a bad boyfriend. Always reeling you back in. It's my favorite toxic relationship.
Now, as much as I adore these dark af murderers, I have to say that the story was, underwhelming? It was awesome, but it wasn't surprising. I knew how it was going to end when she called Eitan.
I can forgive a lot of things, but I draw the line at giant rabbit men. And ugly covers.
I swear, if Alex and Darlington don't have sex at least once in the next book, I will not rest.
Leigh, I love you, but you are killing me. There's going to be a 3rd book? I don't know if I can wait years for the third to come out. But I will, because this book is like a bad boyfriend. Always reeling you back in. It's my favorite toxic relationship.
Content Warnings
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
I'm so glad I rounded out the year with this book. If you read any YA series ever, let it be the Legendborn Cycle.
It's complex, surprising, and exciting all at once.
The plot is so unique, shocking, and entralling, it had me sucked in and picking my jaw off the floor MULTIPLE TIMES. It's that good.
The world Tracy has created is so incredibly complex because of the way she interweaves social conflicts such as racial oppression, generational trauma, and grief while having an uplifting story of black female empowerment. Bree's story is powerful, and she's one of the bestfemale heroines I've ever read about.
Not only that, but each character (even the new ones!) Is so nuanced and well-rounded I fell in love with them (especially my boy Sel 😘) . Every character went through intense character development as they navigated this insane world that is in complete upheaval.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC, this title has been available since November I just didn't want it to end 🥲
It's complex, surprising, and exciting all at once.
The plot is so unique, shocking, and entralling, it had me sucked in and picking my jaw off the floor MULTIPLE TIMES. It's that good.
The world Tracy has created is so incredibly complex because of the way she interweaves social conflicts such as racial oppression, generational trauma, and grief while having an uplifting story of black female empowerment. Bree's story is powerful, and she's one of the best
Not only that, but each character (even the new ones!) Is so nuanced and well-rounded I fell in love with them (especially my boy Sel 😘) . Every character went through intense character development as they navigated this insane world that is in complete upheaval.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC, this title has been available since November I just didn't want it to end 🥲
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0