ooohgoshtara's reviews
175 reviews

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Sloane and Naomi are the definition of opposites attract. Sloane plays by the rules and Naomi leads a carefree life. These childhood besties are sent on a girl’s trip by Sloane’s husband for her 36th birthday. While on vacation they go to a party that changes their lives forever. A dark feminist themed, paranormal thriller with new age mysterious vampires. 

This is a story about friendship, self-discovery, coming to terms with ageing, midlife crisis, toxic romantic relationships and just touches on so many women’s issues. 

So Thirsty was easy to read and entertaining enough to keep me going in a darkly, bleak, eerie kind of way. It was not as thrilling as I would’ve hoped. This is like women’s fiction with a smidge of vampires. I wanted more vampire action less in Sloanes head. This story is character centric, so I do wish the characters were developed more especially the vampires. We learn very little about their backstories and how they came to be. Like why the vampire leader was so drawn to Sloane. 

“I know I’m not saving you but I’m giving you all the time in the world to save yourself.” 

I loved the idea of So Thirsty, female friendship when they were supportive of each other, the vampires, the paranormal romance, the horror scenes with blood and gore. The idea of Sloane saving herself. 

It’s an interesting concept and overall, an enjoyable story. I just wish there was more of the vampires, horror aspect and less of Sloane's wallowing. The epilogue was nice giving us a broad glimpse into how the found vampire family are adjusting to their new lives to close out the story. 

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious 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? N/A

4.0

“……..a demonic force that acts according to horror movie rules in the spirit of the Scream movies.” I mean SOLD on the blurb! 

In this YA thriller, horror comedy as a group of teenagers gear up for the best summer ever they find themselves in a life or death battle with a supernatural demon. A demon operating on movie troupes and rules. Yes!  There were some laugh out loud moments. A group of teenage friends trying to figure out their character type in this very real-life slasher. There was even a which horror movie character are you quiz. Which is very important information for figuring out which order you’re supposed to die in. These teens solve a problem and create a few more. And who doesn’t love a budding romance in the midst of being hunted by a demon?! A bit gory, a bit silly and a whole lot of ridiculousness but fun. I definitely enjoyed the diversity of the characters in the friend group. There are queer characters and characters of differing racial backgrounds.  Plus, throw in a complicated twin sister relationship within the friend group. I liked the personalities of the friends in the friend group and their relationships among themselves. Nicely inserted social commentary throughout the novel: race, classicism, racism, micro-aggressions, gentrification, adult minor interactions. As a fan of Scream and Scream adjacent slashers I enjoyed this book. Quite the interesting third act twist. If you enjoy the same this is the fun satirical teenage slasher for you. 

Reclaim Me by J.L. Seegars

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

What an amazingly beautiful read. I love J.L. Seegars writing style and ability to create such complex, gut wrenching romances with difficult subject matter that makes her characters relatable, human and just real. I was HOOKED from the opening chapter. The book begins somewhat at the end, and we learn how we got there through alternating timelines with chapters going from “then” and “now”. I loved the dual timelines told from both Hunter and Rae’s pov. I enjoyed the slow reveal of Hunter and Rae’s past. We learn how they were brought together and fall in love. We then learn what tragedy ultimately tore them apart until they are reunited some ten years later. The painful reveals, tension, angst, omg this was an emotional journey. A slow burn with just enough spice. Hunter and Rae truly have to fight for themselves and their HEA. Their daughter Riley is the cutest. She provided a great additional layer to the story and was written in so realistically. Some notable troupes all done really well second chance, secret baby, friends to lovers, mutual pining, friends to lovers, brothers’ best friend, love triangle (but to be honest Aaron is barely worth mentioning). Aaron and his momma top worst mother/son duos. I enjoyed seeing the other couples incorporated throughout the story. This is a great series. I can’t wait til I’m back in New Haven. 

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

It’s best to go into this one blind. I had no idea what I was getting into, and it was a wild ride. The Night Guest is a tense, fast paced totally eerie horror novel. I was on edge wanting to know what was going on with the FMC Iðunn. Iðunn doesn’t feel well. Is grieving the death of her sister. She’s keeps waking up tired, bruised, injured sometimes bloody and it only gets worse as the novel goes on. Doctors, friends, colleagues and family dismiss her concerns. Offering advice and solutions that don’t help. As a woman relatable amirite? I love an unreliable narrator and Iðunn is indeed unreliable. I was totally creeped out and horrified at the normalness of this woman going mad. But is she going mad?! Imagine going to bed and waking up to your smart watch telling you you’ve taken over 40,000 plus steps. What is Iðunn doing on these nights she can’t remember. She is desperate to find out. I enjoyed this quick gory, intense, disturbing horror novella. The novel kept me guessing and I’m still thinking about that ending. 10/10 would recommend. 

Sula by Toni Morrison

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-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

"Like any artist with no art form she became dangerous." So much meaning and depth in Sula. Beautifully Black. The words just flow off the pages. So many themes within but I'm left haunted by Nel and Sula's friendship. 

Hauntingly Good Spirits: New Orleans Cocktails to Die For by Sharon Keating, Christi Keating Sumich

informative

4.0

I will say I was skeptical but this book really does New Orleans justice. The book sets the eerie mood by being divided into five sections: Reverence and Revelry, Tomb Time, Ghosts & Haunted Libations, Vampire Bars with Killer Cocktails, and Voodoo & Witchcraft. There are 40 easy to follow cocktail recipes. This book is visually stunning. The photographs of cocktails are amazing. I hope my replicas look half as good. There are also photographs and tidbits highlighting the haunted history of New Orleans at the end of each section. I just love that the book also pays homage to the city. As we make our way into spooky season this is a must have for someone like me who loves a unique cocktail mix with flair and fans of New Orleans haunted, supernatural, spiritual history. This is the cocktail book for you. Get into these “spirits”. 

The Wife Before by Shanora Williams

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The tension and buildup was intense. So many red flags. Seriously everyone was suspicious. Took awhile to get there but when you do the twist just don’t stop coming up until the very last page.

Roz & Zayn by Kori Karter

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? No

2.0

I did enjoy the slow buildup but would have liked this one so much more if the men weren’t "broing" so hard. They gave me the ick especially their last conversation in the story *eyeroll*. 

Nia & Duke 2 by T'Lyn

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Nia and Duke were still pining after one another. The chemistry and spice between Nia and Duke was still off the charts. From This Ain't Love to This Is Forever. This story did what it needed to do.

 

Devil Is Fine by John Vercher

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

This book left me thinking for a while. It is a uniquely told story. I can’t say I’ve read anything like it. The unnamed narrator is a biracial man reeling from the tragic loss of his son. This is a story filled with grief and sadness. The narrator spends most of the novel having internal dialogue in his head speaking to his deceased son Malcolm. This whole thing has him “upside down”. In the midst of this loss the narrator receives word that he’s inherited a large parcel of land from his estranged grandfather. It was left to his son but now goes to him in his son’s death. Unbeknownst to him the land is a former plantation with a history rooted in slavery. There are supernatural elements which were very weird but interestingly done. It very much gives am I going crazy or is this really happening because I often wasn’t sure what was going on myself. I liked the way the author incorporated dry, dark humor into such serious social commentary. The narrator has a way of using jokes to get him through very uncomfortable situations which often make the situations even more awkward. There are many important themes discussed in this book grief, generational trauma, race, racism, identity, parental relationships, family legacy, addiction. It is a haunting story that is so well written. A story about healing and coming to terms with the past.