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kittiesss's reviews
43 reviews
Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram
dark
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
American Rapture by CJ Leede
dark
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Gore, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
adventurous
funny
reflective
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
4.5
Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Gore
Minor: Eating disorder
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
5.0
Fragile Animals by Genevieve Jagger
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Wow. First of all, Jagger’s prose is so weird and I’m in love. The way she describes the environment with living, breathing, human qualities sets such an unsettling tone. Almost like the setting itself is watching the story unfold.
Second, she has created my favorite vampirism ever(!!!). Moses is primal, feral, unkempt, and very strange. Yet he’s also so alluring and attractive in his self-assuredness. Not to mention his vampirism is so crucial and meaningful in the specific context of this story. I do love a metaphor, especially when vampires are involved.
Extremely flawed characters, Scotland, vampires, and Catholicism…I mean I was primed to love this book, and I do love every single thing about this book. Especially the way it handles nuance, sexual exploration, dissociation, and religious trauma.
I think really the only thing that kept me from fully giving this 5 stars, is the fact that the summary states that Noelle enters into a sexual relationship with a vampire. For me, this felt like a pretty major spoiler and I so wish I could have experienced the story unfolding without the knowledge that Noelle and Moses’ relationship turns sexual. Because that sex scene…it would have hit SO hard if I didn’t know for sure it was going to happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and 404 Ink for sending me Fragile Animals!
Second, she has created my favorite vampirism ever(!!!). Moses is primal, feral, unkempt, and very strange. Yet he’s also so alluring and attractive in his self-assuredness. Not to mention his vampirism is so crucial and meaningful in the specific context of this story. I do love a metaphor, especially when vampires are involved.
Extremely flawed characters, Scotland, vampires, and Catholicism…I mean I was primed to love this book, and I do love every single thing about this book. Especially the way it handles nuance, sexual exploration, dissociation, and religious trauma.
I think really the only thing that kept me from fully giving this 5 stars, is the fact that the summary states that Noelle enters into a sexual relationship with a vampire. For me, this felt like a pretty major spoiler and I so wish I could have experienced the story unfolding without the knowledge that Noelle and Moses’ relationship turns sexual. Because that sex scene…it would have hit SO hard if I didn’t know for sure it was going to happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and 404 Ink for sending me Fragile Animals!
The Dove in the Belly by Jim Grimsley
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Minor: Self harm
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0