shedevls's reviews
139 reviews

Murder Road by Simone St. James

dark 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent

Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, and Racism

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones

dark emotional 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

the only downside to this book is that the series is over and i'm really going to miss jade 😭 she's easily one of my all time favourite characters and, even though i'm someone who can never seem to reread books for a number of reasons, i know this entire trilogy is going to be the exception.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Grief

Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Pedophilia, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

dark 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 don't have any words other than this was chef's kiss, even better than chainsaw (which surprised me at first because nothing often beats the first), and i can't WAIT to read the final one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, and Racism

Minor: Pedophilia, Self harm, and Sexual assault

The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst

adventurous dark 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? Yes

5.0

i had high hopes for this going into it and it did not disappoint. i can even add this to my short list of books that actually gave me the creeps and had me look over my shoulder once or twice, which i always love! 

and i so terribly wish more books like this, ones with beautiful depictions of true friendships between girls (specifically teenagers), existed when i was in high school. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Confinement, Suicide, and Murder

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Classism

Daphne by Josh Malerman

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

i'm not entirely sure how i feel about the way it ended (hence the rating), but the overall experience was a fun one that kept me wanting to turn the page.

also, as someone who has dealt with crippling anxiety nearly her whole life, i don't think i've ever read something that made me feel so seen... to the point to where it was somehow comforting and uncomfortable all at the same time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Body horror, Blood, and Kidnapping

Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, and Car accident

anxiety is a BIG part of this book and if you deal with anxiety/panic attacks, i would advise some caution.

the main character often describes her own attacks/experiences with her anxiety in detail.

Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout

dark mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

the story itself is, maybe, a 3.5 for me. however, pedro pascal's narration is what really made this experience so enjoyable and why i'm giving it a 5. seriously, where can i petition to have him read every (horror) book to me?????? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body horror, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug use, Gore, and Sexual content

My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Incest, Vomit, and Cultural appropriation

Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Grief

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders

Tell Me Lies by J.P. Pomare

dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

i think the book itself would've received a 3⭐ for me, but aimee's work as the narrator made the experience all the more enjoyable. i had a grand time!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, and Stalking

Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping

Minor: Alcoholism and Infidelity