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bookmarksandbeverages's reviews
126 reviews
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Read this nearly two years after finishing the rest of the TOG series, so it was lovely to get to see Celaena again. Absolutely adore Sam, absolutely hate Arobynn, loved all the little ties to the rest of the series. It probably would’ve hit harder had I read it “in order,” but it was an overall enjoyable prequel and a nice revisit to the TOG world.
The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
I really, really struggle with rating memoirs, especially when it’s clear the author is still processing the trauma, and double especially when the author is so young. My ratings are in no way a reflection of my thoughts on the experiences discussed in this book. Just so we’re clear on that.
Okay. Anyways. There is a LOT of trauma going on here - big TWs for child abuse, religious trauma, and sexual assault. I really, truly commend Shari Franke for sharing her side of the story. I only know about 8 Passengers from Reddit snark pages so I’m not super well versed in the family and the goings-on, but Franke paints a detailed picture of a family’s descent into the grasps of a master manipulator.
I just did not vibe with the writing style.
Okay. Anyways. There is a LOT of trauma going on here - big TWs for child abuse, religious trauma, and sexual assault. I really, truly commend Shari Franke for sharing her side of the story. I only know about 8 Passengers from Reddit snark pages so I’m not super well versed in the family and the goings-on, but Franke paints a detailed picture of a family’s descent into the grasps of a master manipulator.
I just did not vibe with the writing style.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.5
A fun little Rom-com, but y’all…if you’re going to write a “hockey” romance involving a goalie, please make him the weirdest man who has ever lived. Goalies are weird!!!
(I put hockey in quotes because the only hockey in this novel is mentioning that the character plays hockey / interactions with his teammates, no actual hockey playing)
(I put hockey in quotes because the only hockey in this novel is mentioning that the character plays hockey / interactions with his teammates, no actual hockey playing)
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A delightfully creepy, mysteriously claustrophobic, incredibly well-crafted story.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Sweet story, cute cozy book. I don’t know if I’ll read the rest of the series but I’m satisfied with the time I spent on this one. I didn’t find the prose to be particularly striking but I’m wondering if it lost a little bit in translation. Overall, cute and sweet but not life-changing.
Wavewalker: Breaking Free by Suzanne Heywood
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
2.0
I really wanted to like this book but it just got entirely too repetitive and tedious, but yet somehow felt very surface-level without the details that would’ve made it more interesting to read. Definitely needed some better editing. Also the parents were infinitely infuriating (which is, obviously, some of the point here but good god they were the worst).
Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Dinosaurs eat man, women inherit the earth.
This book is as if Frankenstein took place alongside Jurassic Park. Really interesting concept, and maybe I’m biased by my own life experience here but it easily lends itself to an extended metaphor on the blood and guts of womanhood and motherhood in whatever way that may present itself. It was a little slow going for me, but it is a lovely homage to Frankenstein while also wholly developing its own identity. I definitely look forward to reading more by C.E. McGill.
This book is as if Frankenstein took place alongside Jurassic Park. Really interesting concept, and maybe I’m biased by my own life experience here but it easily lends itself to an extended metaphor on the blood and guts of womanhood and motherhood in whatever way that may present itself. It was a little slow going for me, but it is a lovely homage to Frankenstein while also wholly developing its own identity. I definitely look forward to reading more by C.E. McGill.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Misogyny
Minor: Child death
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Cute and fun, but not quite as cute and fun as the first one. Still lovely to get to see these characters again, but I just couldn’t get as emotionally attached to the story in this one. It was a nice little palate cleanser, and I will definitely read another one if there are more Guncle stories to be told, but this just didn’t have the same pull as the first one for me. I do love a good Sound of Music moment, though.
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show by Bethany Joy Lenz
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A harrowing and vulnerable look into Lenz’ experience being swept into a high-control, religious cult while also navigating an acting career. I have never been in a cult but I *have* been in an abusive relationship, and I have never read anything that more accurately conveys the isolation, fear, and sheer exhaustion that comes from living in [a] relationship[s] like that. Lenz is a solid writer who really takes you with her on this long and arduous journey, and manages to be witty and funny even in the face of this wildly traumatic experience.
If this is a topic that is tough for you, definitely heed the trigger warnings because there were a few times where I struggled a bit with some topics.
If this is a topic that is tough for you, definitely heed the trigger warnings because there were a few times where I struggled a bit with some topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Religious bigotry
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Lots of really thought-provoking, interesting stories here. Don’t let the size fool you, though - while this may be a short collection, it is DENSE. I read this in an ebook version and often found myself wishing I had a physical copy just to flip back and forth in (but then I generally prefer physical books anyways). All that said, highly, highly recommend this collection, especially if you have a passing interest in language(s), social commentary sci-fi, or Twilight Zone-style weirdness.