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shereadytoread's reviews
680 reviews
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
3.0
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was an interesting premise and the addition of the mystery was fun. The theme of the circles kept it from getting too repetitive but I think the book struggled with pacing between the competition rounds and the romance/mystery plot lines.
Where this book faltered to me is the idea that it is a “dark fantasy romance”. It does have violence and trials but is more or less hell-themed hunger games. It is definitely not “dark” in the way that we usually think of dark romance. The romance has a lot of snarky banter and then is pretty sweet. The setting is dark but that’s about it.
Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Where this book faltered to me is the idea that it is a “dark fantasy romance”. It does have violence and trials but is more or less hell-themed hunger games. It is definitely not “dark” in the way that we usually think of dark romance. The romance has a lot of snarky banter and then is pretty sweet. The setting is dark but that’s about it.
Disclosure: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
3.5
Cade Webster finds out that you should be careful what you wish for.
Being a star athlete at a wealthy school, and coming from a poor neighborhood, Cade knows what it’s like to feel like he doesn’t belong. After being racially profiled resulting in an encounter with the police, he wishes that people would stop being so scared around him … and it happens.
This sets off unintended and unintended terrifying consequences as reckless, fearless behavior spreads and Cade is up against a dark force he could have never foreseen.
This book was fun! I loved the way that the wish was circumvented and spins out of control. The background story of the evil forces at play was really interesting, and how it was all worked into the modern world played well. This is a book that is firmly grounded in real world issues with social commentary, but doesn’t feel like it’s preaching to you or lecturing you. I think the book leans a little too far into the supernatural elements towards the end and it felt a little disjointed with the rest of the story. It definitely added some action though. I think the last chapter would have been better fit within the epilogue because it felt like the beginning of a completely different story instead of the ending of this one.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from NetGalley and a free finished copy from the publisher.
Being a star athlete at a wealthy school, and coming from a poor neighborhood, Cade knows what it’s like to feel like he doesn’t belong. After being racially profiled resulting in an encounter with the police, he wishes that people would stop being so scared around him … and it happens.
This sets off unintended and unintended terrifying consequences as reckless, fearless behavior spreads and Cade is up against a dark force he could have never foreseen.
This book was fun! I loved the way that the wish was circumvented and spins out of control. The background story of the evil forces at play was really interesting, and how it was all worked into the modern world played well. This is a book that is firmly grounded in real world issues with social commentary, but doesn’t feel like it’s preaching to you or lecturing you. I think the book leans a little too far into the supernatural elements towards the end and it felt a little disjointed with the rest of the story. It definitely added some action though. I think the last chapter would have been better fit within the epilogue because it felt like the beginning of a completely different story instead of the ending of this one.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from NetGalley and a free finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
This World Is Not Yours by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I completed a tandem read (listening to the audio while reading the physical book) so I'm going to split up my thoughts on the book in general and the audiobook.
This book deals with themes of environmental conservation, capitalism, heteronormativity and reproduction centering on a forced polycule on a distant colony planet. Our main characters are two queer women (she/her pronouns but concepts of gender are rather fluid and discussed) along with another character who is discussed in a way that indicates he is asexual, but not explicitly stated to be so.
This book is rather unique in premise. It is a dark story of a toxic relationship that is taking place against a ecohorror backdrop on a colonized planet. The horror is ever looming and evolving but it is not the point (in my opinion) of the story. We follow a relationship first broken by circumstance and then broken by toxic cycles that have developed since. The characters are not very likeable but their flaws are what make the tale possible. They first make hard choices out of obligation, and then harder choices out of obsession.
The horror elements dominate the last third of the novella, but the tense and uncomfortable relationship falling apart throughout the story was just as striking for me.
Audiobook: The audiobook was well done and I think the narrator did a pretty good job differentiating the main characters from one another but not as much was given to differentiating side characters. I don't think the audiobook really adds anything that I would recommend it over the print, but I think you could have generally the same experience with either.
Disclosure: I received an ALC from Netgalley and a finished print copy from the publisher.
This book deals with themes of environmental conservation, capitalism, heteronormativity and reproduction centering on a forced polycule on a distant colony planet. Our main characters are two queer women (she/her pronouns but concepts of gender are rather fluid and discussed) along with another character who is discussed in a way that indicates he is asexual, but not explicitly stated to be so.
This book is rather unique in premise. It is a dark story of a toxic relationship that is taking place against a ecohorror backdrop on a colonized planet. The horror is ever looming and evolving but it is not the point (in my opinion) of the story. We follow a relationship first broken by circumstance and then broken by toxic cycles that have developed since. The characters are not very likeable but their flaws are what make the tale possible. They first make hard choices out of obligation, and then harder choices out of obsession.
The horror elements dominate the last third of the novella, but the tense and uncomfortable relationship falling apart throughout the story was just as striking for me.
Audiobook: The audiobook was well done and I think the narrator did a pretty good job differentiating the main characters from one another but not as much was given to differentiating side characters. I don't think the audiobook really adds anything that I would recommend it over the print, but I think you could have generally the same experience with either.
Disclosure: I received an ALC from Netgalley and a finished print copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Animal death
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- 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
4.5
I loved this book. The romance was sweet but the setting really steals the show. The author manages to describe the food and locations in such a clear way that you can see it (and get a little hungry). I loved that the book addressed how the Vietnam War affected those who left the country, those who stayed, and the generations since. It was a great perspective on how members of a diaspora connect with the heritage and homeland. I really enjoyed getting to read books from a culture that I don't often see represented.
Disclaimer: I originally received this book as part of a paid promotional partnership with the publisher. No review was requested or required and all opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I originally received this book as part of a paid promotional partnership with the publisher. No review was requested or required and all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: War
Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch by Emily C. Hughes
funny
informative
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I will say I am not a "weenie" and absolutely love horror movies so I was already familiar with all of the films discussed in this book. As someone that loves horror movies, I thought that I might find this boring, but it was quite the opposite. It was great to revisit many of my favorite movies and the additional discussions around each movie was great. It was like listening to one of my favorite horror movie podcasts. There is a detailed plot overview as well as the importance of each film in film and horror history.
I loved that the author added a recommended reading list to end of each chapter if someone is too nervous to watch the movie or if they want similar vibes in books. The author includes "you could probably watch this if ..." and "you'll want to avoid this movie if ..." recommendations for those who are scared to watch but maybe want to give some of the movies a try. It also includes fun facts to jump into horror movie conversations that don't require you having seen the movie.
I am not sure if the print version has movie illustrations but I hope so! I'll be looking for a print copy soon. The narrator is great as well. My only drawback (and it's personal preference) was there are some slang? (if you want to call it that) statements at some point that felt odd from this narrator, but wouldn't bother me if I was reading the print.
Disclaimer: I received a free ALC from Netgalley.
I loved that the author added a recommended reading list to end of each chapter if someone is too nervous to watch the movie or if they want similar vibes in books. The author includes "you could probably watch this if ..." and "you'll want to avoid this movie if ..." recommendations for those who are scared to watch but maybe want to give some of the movies a try. It also includes fun facts to jump into horror movie conversations that don't require you having seen the movie.
I am not sure if the print version has movie illustrations but I hope so! I'll be looking for a print copy soon. The narrator is great as well. My only drawback (and it's personal preference) was there are some slang? (if you want to call it that) statements at some point that felt odd from this narrator, but wouldn't bother me if I was reading the print.
Disclaimer: I received a free ALC from Netgalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Cursing and Racism
Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
emotional
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? No
5.0
I loved this. No complaints. No notes. The romance was great. The paranormal show aspect was good. Both characters had good growth and tension in their individual plot lines.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
Influencer by Adam Cesare
dark
tense
- 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? Yes
4.5
This is a book that proves YA horror can be just as horrific as adult horror. It starts with a bang of a cold open and then we see it unfold. Something I loved about this book is there are no simple characters. All of the teens are complicated and doubt themselves and their place within their friend groups and lives. We never get the self-assured final girl, but one whose fear doesn’t stop her from doing what needs to be done. There are awkward missteps and moments that felt very true to the high school experience!
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Vomit
Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram
dark
emotional
5.0
A book that definitely makes you feel SOMETHING, even if it's confusion at times. This was a rough read at times not as much because of the emotional aspect (which is extremely heavy) but there is also a lot of body horror pieces and injury detail that I did not expect based on the story up to that point. I think this book definitely succeeds at demonstrating the helplessness and hopelessness of being both emotionally and physically stuck. It's not a book that has a lot of levity in any way. The descriptions of the structure were very detailed and made you feel just how enclosed yet massive the space is. I think the end will definitely be divisive. You'll hate it or you'll love it, but you will definitely have an opinion on it. I can see why it is a turn off for many readers, but I think it adds another element of disorienting the reader. I can't describe it without a spoiler so I won't even try. Ringing in under 200 pages, I think this is definitely worth the read.
Disclaimer: I received a free finished copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I received a free finished copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required and all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit and Suicide attempt
Long Haul by Frank Figliuzzi
2.0
This book didn't deliver on its premise. At it's core, it is about the HSK (Highway Serial Killings) Initiative in the FBI, but it didn't have enough information to sustain that premise for even the short 250+ page book. Seven of the 20 chapters, are just the author riding the highways with a trucker named Mike. Mike is a bit misogynistic and as the author reminds us, knows nothing about highway killers and seems to forget that's what the author is researching part of the time. There is a lot of filler about sex work on the highways (which is at least related to the typical victim profile) and interviews with women who were involved in truck-stop sex work in the past.
The information about actual Highway Killers is very surface level and the information about the investigations is pretty limited. The book is primarily a look at long-haul trucking and the different people that are connected to it in various ways which the author then connects back to the HSK. There was some interesting information about interstate investigations and how limited it is because providing the information is optional and tedious. It felt like the author wanted to write a book about the HSK but didn't have enough information to fill a book, and just gave other trucking and crime-related information to fill it out.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher.
The information about actual Highway Killers is very surface level and the information about the investigations is pretty limited. The book is primarily a look at long-haul trucking and the different people that are connected to it in various ways which the author then connects back to the HSK. There was some interesting information about interstate investigations and how limited it is because providing the information is optional and tedious. It felt like the author wanted to write a book about the HSK but didn't have enough information to fill a book, and just gave other trucking and crime-related information to fill it out.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Sexism
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This book was lots of fun. The entire novel is plot device, which I thought was a great addition to the story. We are reading a story of a writer, writing a story and conferring with her beta reader as the mystery unfolds. I was not a fan of the abruptness of the ending (for both the novel and the novel in the novel) but I did really enjoy everything up to that point and the end was still satisfying and wrapped up the story.
This book was the selection for the Book Lovers month of our Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
This book was the selection for the Book Lovers month of our Diversify Your Reading book club. Join us here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/