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kait_sixcrowsbooks's reviews
219 reviews
Black Tide by K.C. Jones
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
CAWPILE score: 3.71
If I have to stay in those two characters’ heads for one more second, my head might explode. The only thing that saved this for me was the atmosphere — the monsters were neat, and I thought the singular setting for most of the novel was an interesting choice. But the characters are obnoxious, the plot has holes in it the size of a dumpster, and the dialogue was mediocre.
If I have to stay in those two characters’ heads for one more second, my head might explode. The only thing that saved this for me was the atmosphere — the monsters were neat, and I thought the singular setting for most of the novel was an interesting choice. But the characters are obnoxious, the plot has holes in it the size of a dumpster, and the dialogue was mediocre.
Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
CAWPILE score: 5.43
An interesting historical fiction novel spanning pre- and post-Civil War, about a dark-skinned Black girl finding her own way and freedom throughout her life. I thought the first half was a helluva lot better than the second half.
An interesting historical fiction novel spanning pre- and post-Civil War, about a dark-skinned Black girl finding her own way and freedom throughout her life. I thought the first half was a helluva lot better than the second half.
The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.0
CAWPILE score: 5.14
While I thought the premise was interesting, I found the writing to be dry, repetitive, and almost juvenile. I thought the characters were flat, their motivations weak, and the plot trailed along at a snail’s pace. Despite that, the last 50 pages were a quick run-through — why couldn’t the whole book be like that?
Overall, a let-down, though I would still give this author another chance.
While I thought the premise was interesting, I found the writing to be dry, repetitive, and almost juvenile. I thought the characters were flat, their motivations weak, and the plot trailed along at a snail’s pace. Despite that, the last 50 pages were a quick run-through — why couldn’t the whole book be like that?
Overall, a let-down, though I would still give this author another chance.
Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
CAWPILE score: 8.71
A lovely memoir that dives into so many things: generational trauma, ICE and Homeland Security, the dehumanization of immigrants, particularly undocumented immigrants of color, mental health, and more. I loved the prose that the author used, his writing is absolutely gorgeous — it’s obvious he’s a poet.
A lovely memoir that dives into so many things: generational trauma, ICE and Homeland Security, the dehumanization of immigrants, particularly undocumented immigrants of color, mental health, and more. I loved the prose that the author used, his writing is absolutely gorgeous — it’s obvious he’s a poet.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
CAWPILE score: 7.71
An interesting little story with a fun narrative structure. I was captivated to keep reading.
An interesting little story with a fun narrative structure. I was captivated to keep reading.
The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
CAWPILE score: 3.28
Did not end up liking this at all. The characters weren’t all that interesting and I didn’t really feel like their actions made sense alongside their supposed motivations. The mini monologues on being queer felt so heavy-handed that they had me nearly rolling my eyes, and I’m frustrated that even though we as the readers get told a lot how complicated Syd’s gender is, we never really get super in-depth as to how; it’s just kept surface level, much like many of the themes throughout. I can see how it can be important to a teen that may not be out or may just newly figured things out, but even then, I feel like there are probably better books out there.
Did not end up liking this at all. The characters weren’t all that interesting and I didn’t really feel like their actions made sense alongside their supposed motivations. The mini monologues on being queer felt so heavy-handed that they had me nearly rolling my eyes, and I’m frustrated that even though we as the readers get told a lot how complicated Syd’s gender is, we never really get super in-depth as to how; it’s just kept surface level, much like many of the themes throughout. I can see how it can be important to a teen that may not be out or may just newly figured things out, but even then, I feel like there are probably better books out there.
The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CAWPILE score: 8.14
What a mysterious, gothic story! Set on the eve of World War II, The Animals at Lockwood Manor follows Hettie, a director of London’s mammal exhibit, and Lucy, the daughter of a man who agrees to host the collection during the war. What follows is a tense stay at Lockwood Manor, as Hettie attempts to keep the creatures safe from harm and possibly…a haunting?
I really enjoyed this book: the characters were interesting, and I found the atmosphere to be utterly tense in the way gothic books usually are. The only thing that really snagged me was more so the production of the audiobook than the story itself — it seemed like there were points throughout that the narrator was speaking softly, and while it would be okay with earbuds, I found that it was a struggle to understand her when I was listening in my car. The narrator did this quite a bit, I’m assuming to add emotion to what was going on in the story at the time, but I found it to be difficult.
Apart from that, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am thinking about grabbing a physical copy of my own!
What a mysterious, gothic story! Set on the eve of World War II, The Animals at Lockwood Manor follows Hettie, a director of London’s mammal exhibit, and Lucy, the daughter of a man who agrees to host the collection during the war. What follows is a tense stay at Lockwood Manor, as Hettie attempts to keep the creatures safe from harm and possibly…a haunting?
I really enjoyed this book: the characters were interesting, and I found the atmosphere to be utterly tense in the way gothic books usually are. The only thing that really snagged me was more so the production of the audiobook than the story itself — it seemed like there were points throughout that the narrator was speaking softly, and while it would be okay with earbuds, I found that it was a struggle to understand her when I was listening in my car. The narrator did this quite a bit, I’m assuming to add emotion to what was going on in the story at the time, but I found it to be difficult.
Apart from that, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am thinking about grabbing a physical copy of my own!
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
CAWPILE score: 9.43
A lovely Beauty and the Beast retelling that was engaging and tense! I loved the characters, the plot, the intrigue. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the books in the trilogy have in store.
A lovely Beauty and the Beast retelling that was engaging and tense! I loved the characters, the plot, the intrigue. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the books in the trilogy have in store.
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
CAWPILE score: 7.86
I still have to think on this one. I thought the thèmes the author was trying to get across were handled greatly, but I feel like I’m missing something. Outside of that, though, I loved the characters, and the atmosphere did I’m nearly feel very 1950s-1980s.
I still have to think on this one. I thought the thèmes the author was trying to get across were handled greatly, but I feel like I’m missing something. Outside of that, though, I loved the characters, and the atmosphere did I’m nearly feel very 1950s-1980s.
The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CAWPILE score: 8.29
A lovely fantasy tale that explores themes of patriarchy, power, gaslighting, and more. I was quite surprised with how well this book handled those themes, and the ending certainly didn’t go the way I was thinking it would. Though I will say said ending left me wanting more; I wish it were part of a series!
A lovely fantasy tale that explores themes of patriarchy, power, gaslighting, and more. I was quite surprised with how well this book handled those themes, and the ending certainly didn’t go the way I was thinking it would. Though I will say said ending left me wanting more; I wish it were part of a series!