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curiouser_books's reviews
136 reviews
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
When was the last time a book made you cry?
Actual Stars: 5
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: Everything. The tone the story is told in. The pacing. The descriptions. The emotional depth. I was pulled into the story from the first pages. I thought about it when I wasn't reading it. I wanted to get back to the characters, find the answers, and see this life. I steadily cried the last five chapters. It was that good. GOOD.
What I didn't love: Nothing. I can't think of anything. This book was somehow perfect.
Who I'm recommending this to: People who love a story. Readers who enjoy emotional depth and fully fleshed-out characters. This is atmospheric and lovely, but not over the top with the description. I'm recommending it to everyone.
Actual Stars: 5
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: Everything. The tone the story is told in. The pacing. The descriptions. The emotional depth. I was pulled into the story from the first pages. I thought about it when I wasn't reading it. I wanted to get back to the characters, find the answers, and see this life. I steadily cried the last five chapters. It was that good. GOOD.
What I didn't love: Nothing. I can't think of anything. This book was somehow perfect.
Who I'm recommending this to: People who love a story. Readers who enjoy emotional depth and fully fleshed-out characters. This is atmospheric and lovely, but not over the top with the description. I'm recommending it to everyone.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
There are parts of this book that are abusive (human to robot) and scenes that feel like rape. They are not described as rape as the robot character knows this is their job, but the reader knows they don't want to have sex with the human. It is very uncomfortable to bare witness to. People who are triggered by rape/forced sex may find this difficult to read.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I hated this. I loved this.
Actual stars: 3.5
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: Ugh, I just don't know how to feel about this. On the one hand it is so interesting. What rights does AI have? What rights will robots have? It brought up so many questions. I HATED the way Annie was treated throughout the book, but also she isn't "human" so should I care? But it is SO interesting.
What I didn't love: On the other wise, Annie is SO human, she feels and has emotions and anxiety. I just hated Doug. All the time. Every moment. I hated him. I hated the way sex was described. It was so transactional. I know it is a ROBOT, but I didn't feel like that being in her head.
Who I'm recommending this to: Anyone who likes speculative fiction or robot novels ... but also people who like books about the complexities our not-so-future society will have to deal with.
Actual stars: 3.5
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: Ugh, I just don't know how to feel about this. On the one hand it is so interesting. What rights does AI have? What rights will robots have? It brought up so many questions. I HATED the way Annie was treated throughout the book, but also she isn't "human" so should I care? But it is SO interesting.
What I didn't love: On the other wise, Annie is SO human, she feels and has emotions and anxiety. I just hated Doug. All the time. Every moment. I hated him. I hated the way sex was described. It was so transactional. I know it is a ROBOT, but I didn't feel like that being in her head.
Who I'm recommending this to: Anyone who likes speculative fiction or robot novels ... but also people who like books about the complexities our not-so-future society will have to deal with.
Content Warnings
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
What I loved: I loved Corrie from page one. She is smart, good at her job ... and not as respected as she should be because she's female. What a relatable character. Oh, and she had a crush on a guy in grad school who never made and move and then pulled the rug out from under her next steps in her career. And of course, they are working together now. Honestly, the step up was well done, the story was sweet and exciting, and nothing was overly corny.
What I didn't love: Ugh, I hated the misunderstanding/lying trope. It's my least favorite of all the romance tropes. It was handled better than usual, but it still isn't my favorite. Actually I can't think of anything I honestly didn't like, this is one of the better romances I've read in the last year.
Who I'm recommending this to: Ooo, anyone who loves adventure with their romance, this was fun, sexy, and exciting. I think lovers of well done romance will like this too (like, say people who prefer Emily Henry).
Also, this isn't overly graphic in terms of spice, but rather tension-building throughout. More talk, less specifics. Which is exactly what I want, but if you're looking for more graphic descriptions, this probably won't check that box for you.
What I didn't love: Ugh, I hated the misunderstanding/lying trope. It's my least favorite of all the romance tropes. It was handled better than usual, but it still isn't my favorite. Actually I can't think of anything I honestly didn't like, this is one of the better romances I've read in the last year.
Who I'm recommending this to: Ooo, anyone who loves adventure with their romance, this was fun, sexy, and exciting. I think lovers of well done romance will like this too (like, say people who prefer Emily Henry).
Also, this isn't overly graphic in terms of spice, but rather tension-building throughout. More talk, less specifics. Which is exactly what I want, but if you're looking for more graphic descriptions, this probably won't check that box for you.
Where You End by Abbott Kahler
What I loved: First, I was SO drawn to the cover. Seriously. I have a thing for creepy rabbits now I guess. Second, this was thrilling from the first page. There was no time to get into the story, I was in it from the first second. There were all these moments when I was like "oh, this is what's happening" only to have another twist that kept me guessing.
What I didn't love: so I clearly need more experience with this genre, but I feel like the ending isn't the best part. Getting there is the best part, but the ending isn't that awesome. Like it was, but the possibilities were almost better than what happened. I feel like this every time I read a thriller, it isn't just this one. It's like when the mysteries of the island on Lost were finally revealed it maybe wasn't as good as all the theories. Maybe it's a sign of a good author to provide so many possibilities. Maybe it's a sign I need more experience with the genre.
Who I'm recommending this to: I hesitate to recommend books in genres I'm inexperienced with, but I loved this, I think other people will too.
In the past, the adult characters were a part of a cult as children. During that time there were "photos" taken of them that as children they were uncomfortable with and as adults they are not mentally well as a result of. It isn't talked about explicitly, but in an artistic way because the main characters don't like to think about it, even if it is the catalyst for what happens in the book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What I didn't love: so I clearly need more experience with this genre, but I feel like the ending isn't the best part. Getting there is the best part, but the ending isn't that awesome. Like it was, but the possibilities were almost better than what happened. I feel like this every time I read a thriller, it isn't just this one. It's like when the mysteries of the island on Lost were finally revealed it maybe wasn't as good as all the theories. Maybe it's a sign of a good author to provide so many possibilities. Maybe it's a sign I need more experience with the genre.
Who I'm recommending this to: I hesitate to recommend books in genres I'm inexperienced with, but I loved this, I think other people will too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, and Pedophilia
Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a book to start 2024 with.
Actual stars: 4
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: I love a good magical school story. Baz was my guy from the first page. This is plot based and the beginning was quick-paced and had this magical story element I loved, and then 65% of the way through it picked back up and went barreling to the end.
What I didn't love: there was a lag in the middle of the book. Because it was plot-based, it felt plodding, just a 100 pages that weren't doing anything. Once that was over, the plot moved quickly toward the end, but I honestly debated DNFing during the 55-65% parts. I wanted MORE character development and I would have loved more about the world, but in the end it was actually okay.
Will I continue? Yes, absolutely!
Who I'm recommending this to: People who love The Atlas Six, Harry Potter, and other magical school-based stories.
Actual stars: 4
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: I love a good magical school story. Baz was my guy from the first page. This is plot based and the beginning was quick-paced and had this magical story element I loved, and then 65% of the way through it picked back up and went barreling to the end.
What I didn't love: there was a lag in the middle of the book. Because it was plot-based, it felt plodding, just a 100 pages that weren't doing anything. Once that was over, the plot moved quickly toward the end, but I honestly debated DNFing during the 55-65% parts. I wanted MORE character development and I would have loved more about the world, but in the end it was actually okay.
Will I continue? Yes, absolutely!
Who I'm recommending this to: People who love The Atlas Six, Harry Potter, and other magical school-based stories.