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cortanasreadingnook's reviews
368 reviews
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thanks to Feiwel & Friends for sending me an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way. Don’t Let The Forest In will be out on October 29, 2024!
What made me like this book is that it gives justice to psychological horror, painting an eerie dark academia aesthetic and carries a haunting form of storytelling through striking prose. C.G. Drews’s writing style is very beautiful and descriptive so that I could easily create the scenes in my mind from her words alone. To add, the characterization of the main character Andrew was well done, especially as we read through him traversing through the spectrum of asexuality and he had a delightfully dark dynamic with Thomas that keeps a reader going. Moreover, it took me through the experiences of having ED, panic attack/ disorder, and anxiety. As someone that fits one of these boxes, it was very realistic to read and allowed me to empathize with him. Overall, this book is deeply rooted in gothic fiction and is a dark and twisted tale about loss and grief and I greatly recommend!
What made me like this book is that it gives justice to psychological horror, painting an eerie dark academia aesthetic and carries a haunting form of storytelling through striking prose. C.G. Drews’s writing style is very beautiful and descriptive so that I could easily create the scenes in my mind from her words alone. To add, the characterization of the main character Andrew was well done, especially as we read through him traversing through the spectrum of asexuality and he had a delightfully dark dynamic with Thomas that keeps a reader going. Moreover, it took me through the experiences of having ED, panic attack/ disorder, and anxiety. As someone that fits one of these boxes, it was very realistic to read and allowed me to empathize with him. Overall, this book is deeply rooted in gothic fiction and is a dark and twisted tale about loss and grief and I greatly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Hopeless by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
I frankly did not expect to like Beau and Bailey because I’ve seen other readers say this is the weakest book/ship from Chestnut Springs, but it definitely wasn’t so bad! I was discouraged to read this even before I started Powerless because of the “pubes shaving” joke, but I was proven wrong like in Jasper and Sloane’s book. The fake dating/engagement trope was new to read in small town romance, so I didn’t find it boring at all. They undoubtedly had that charming, intense chemistry. I was also very much ready to say goodbye to these characters like Elsie herself, and Hopeless was a good story to end it with. The cameos were worth my time and the smut was exceptional. The way Beau’s character eventually deals with his saviour complex and trauma were fairly handled, in my opinion. He and Bailey just fit so perfectly with each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
“Every piece of you, body and soul, remembers what it is to love me, don’t they? Whether your heart is in your chest or not. I know you do, because I do.”
One For My Enemy is an alluring and equally gut-wrenching retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliette. This is a beautiful modern standalone adult fantasy that focuses on wicked magic and an enticing web of love strung by rivalry and politics.
This was my first Olivie Blake book and I have no idea why it took me this long to pick up her books, because I’m pretty sure this pulled me back into reading after a slump. The chemistry between the characters was so deliciously wicked that I couldn’t put it down. I just adore it when men are down bad, devoted to their women and both levsasha and mashadima SERVED. The plot of this book was messy yet clever and intricate, accentuating how staggering formidable women are. I can definitely say this is a retelling well-done. I expected the ending, yet at the same time it broke my heart that sacrifices had to be made and secrets were undone. Yet, we still reached a perfect conclusion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting, Vol. 1 by Tsukiya
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
i love how this is just pure fluff! very fast read with adorable characters as well. the dynamic between tooru and yaeka as babysitter and kid is really cute, and i can see friendship blooming between them as they change each other for the better. 10/10 would highly recommend!
The Story Of Us by Zarin Madiyha
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
Thank you to Zarin Madiyha for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts in any way. The Story of Us is in its first week on shelves! I can’t believe Isaac and Violet’s heartwarming book is finally out in the world.
This YA romcom is an adorable, yet equally angsty second chance romance between two teenagers in their last year of boarding school. When Isaac broke up with Violet the day after their seventeenth birthday, she was determined to move on with her life and forget him. But when a school project forces them to pair up and spend time with each other, both of them soon realize that trying again might open doors for another future together.
I have so much to say about this book but to sum it up, I really enjoyed this! It’s very sweet, gut-wrenching, and the main lead is the very definition of a devoted partner; There’s green flags and then there’s Isaac Evans (I mean this in the charming way possible!). Besides the fluff, the characterization was very reflective and inspiring. Reading about Isaac felt like looking at a mirror, seeing all my insecurities and fears in him, which made him more human to me. I usually self-sabotage in relationships and having a Violet in one’s life in any way is both comforting and reassuring. The author’s portrayal of friendships is also very wholesome, and she didn’t have to add drama to make the story engaging. It really focused on forced proximity, their chemistry, and the softness of their intimacy, making this book perfect and soothing. 10/10. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness
Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
My thanks to Titan Books for sending me an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way.
A Saints of Storm and Sorrow is in its first official week on the shelves! This Filipino-inspired new adult fantasy book is a perfect book that sends an amazing fuck you to the Spanish settlers that erased the indigenous Filipino identity in the name of Christianity.
The characterization in this book was done well, especially in the manner of how religion can be so destructive to its followers. It was reflective of the accounts from the Spanish colonial times, specifically since the Catholic church was established in the 1600s and Animism was eradicated for “witchcraft”. This book discusses toxic faith, which is a trait that remains prevalent in the Philippines and has significantly halted societal progression. The writer was trying to show the difference between a hurtful, manipulative relationship and a reassuring, safe one and gives readers, especially queers, a chance to both relate to it and form their own judgement. Moreover, it gives insight to how my country would’ve looked like without white colonizers and if indigenous culture was sustained.
I would’ve truly loved this if the pacing wasn’t messy, if not a bit all over the place. So much was happening, and at the same time, nothing. The lack of direction in the storytelling eventually lessened its appeal. There were highs and lows, which should’ve made this book exciting, but it fell flat to me. However, I would still recommend it because there are enjoyable parts and is overall very informative, centering on the dynamics of the church and state.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
Moderate: Slavery