kayceeisbookish's reviews
239 reviews

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Anne Rice is the queen of vampire novels 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

This book started very slow. I enjoyed all the elements of it (dark academia, vampires, Sapphic), but for some reason, it just did not resonate with me like other books. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Toxic friendship

Sunderworld, Vol. I: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

A colorful journey to a magical land that overlaps ours. That only certain folks can see through the veil. Think scavenger hunt meets Alice in Wonderland vibes. Very whimsical and fast-paced.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner

funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Cozy mystery novel that was very reminiscent of Agatha Christe novels. Loved all the twists and turns. The light humor sprinkled in helped lighten the mood. Loved the demon possessed feline. A fun read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Blood, Grief, Car accident, and Murder

Scorned by Venom by P.S. Nail

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Chef's Kiss 

We Came to Welcome You by Vincent Tirado

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Very reminiscent of Jordan Peele's film Get Out. Really enjoyed the horror vibes.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child death, Death, and Blood

A Betrayal of Storms by Ben Alderson

mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

2.75

Basically, it's ACOTAR, but make it ✨️queer✨️. Well written, season based magic system. Fey politics, forced proximity romance, betrayal, knives to throat. The characters for me felt a little flat, and I could not really get into the plot of the novel.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

Riot by K.A. Knight

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Smutty stalker romance with feminist rage vibes. Loved it. The writing, as always with this author, is top-notch. Character development was so much deeper than I was expecting for this sort of novel. I was very impressed and enjoyed it. Overall, I loved this book and think it was a hit.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

dark emotional reflective sad 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

I sobbed a lot and loved it. Loving learning about all the women in mythology.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Open Minded by Chloe Seager

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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? Yes

4.0

This was a brilliant narrative on how no singular relationship is the *good standard normal* to aspire to have. Rather, all relationships individually and independently are nuanced and beautiful in their unique way. That, you never should have to compromise for others or make yourself feel small to put someone else at ease. Highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol