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discardeddustjacket's reviews
314 reviews
The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
This wasn’t for me. First of all, the entire relationship is built on the sexual tension between an adult man and a 17 year-old girl (and the book never lets you forget that he like, REALLY wanted to sleep with her when they first met but, ya know, controlled himself because she was a minor and he’s A Good Guy). It gave me the serious ick and it felt unnecessary.
Secondly, I really couldn’t stand the MMC, even later in the book when they’re older. Idk if maybe I didn’t get to the part when he develops as a character, but his lukewarm moderate, capitalist, poli-sci dudebro monologues about the “problem with government these days” really didn’t land with me. His whole “just playing devil’s advocate” thing when an Indigenous person was literally describing how their sacred land had been desecrated REALLY made me want to scream.
And thirdly, this isn’t exclusive to this book in particular (although it’s a pretty egregious example), but I can’t stand the trope where one character willingly withholds information that they know will jeopardize their chances of a romantic/sexual relationship with the other character. I’m a firm believer in INFORMED consent, and doing what the MMC does to the FMC in this book is such a violation of her autonomy.
Secondly, I really couldn’t stand the MMC, even later in the book when they’re older. Idk if maybe I didn’t get to the part when he develops as a character, but his lukewarm moderate, capitalist, poli-sci dudebro monologues about the “problem with government these days” really didn’t land with me. His whole “just playing devil’s advocate” thing when an Indigenous person was literally describing how their sacred land had been desecrated REALLY made me want to scream.
And thirdly, this isn’t exclusive to this book in particular (although it’s a pretty egregious example), but I can’t stand the trope where one character willingly withholds information that they know will jeopardize their chances of a romantic/sexual relationship with the other character. I’m a firm believer in INFORMED consent, and doing what the MMC does to the FMC in this book is such a violation of her autonomy.
Corrupted Vessels by Briar Ripley Page
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
One thing I definitely appreciated about this story was the writing. It’s incredibly lush and descriptive (even when that makes it especially repulsive). Those descriptions at times felt a bit repetitive—how many times do we need to be reminded that there’s shelf fungi on the back of that one chair—but for the most part, I really enjoyed how tangible and visceral everything felt.
There’s this wetness permeating the story, both in its depictions of sex and death/decomposition. (Bodily fluids/smells seem to be a recurring thematic element.)
I think where I struggled was that despite all that, I just never really felt connected to the story or the characters. I kept waiting to become invested but it never happened. This is likely more an issue of personal preference rather than any flaw in the story itself.
I think I expected more of a supernatural element—more body horror, and I would’ve liked the book more if it had gone in that direction. But again, that’s just my preference.
There’s this wetness permeating the story, both in its depictions of sex and death/decomposition. (Bodily fluids/smells seem to be a recurring thematic element.)
I think where I struggled was that despite all that, I just never really felt connected to the story or the characters. I kept waiting to become invested but it never happened. This is likely more an issue of personal preference rather than any flaw in the story itself.
I think I expected more of a supernatural element—more body horror, and I would’ve liked the book more if it had gone in that direction. But again, that’s just my preference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Excrement, Vomit, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
My rating of this book is based entirely on personal preference and not necessarily a reflection on how good or bad it is. I could see someone with different tastes than me absolutely loving this, and that’s totally cool.
This is one of those books that is purposefully unclear for the first, like, 75%, until you’re granted some grand revelation that’s supposed to make it all make sense. Except I still had more questions than answers at the end of this story, and feeling lost the entire time didn’t make for a very enjoyable reading experience for me.
The writing was beautiful and descriptive yet very cryptic in nature, which made it hard to connect with the protagonist and the story. I think I’d need to re-read this two or three times before having a clearer understanding of what’s going on. There’s definitely some allegorical meaning at play here, and if I had to guess, something to do with generational trauma.
Huge trigger warning for pregnancy and childbirth which is depicted in probably the gnarliest way I’ve ever encountered.
This is one of those books that is purposefully unclear for the first, like, 75%, until you’re granted some grand revelation that’s supposed to make it all make sense. Except I still had more questions than answers at the end of this story, and feeling lost the entire time didn’t make for a very enjoyable reading experience for me.
The writing was beautiful and descriptive yet very cryptic in nature, which made it hard to connect with the protagonist and the story. I think I’d need to re-read this two or three times before having a clearer understanding of what’s going on. There’s definitely some allegorical meaning at play here, and if I had to guess, something to do with generational trauma.
Huge trigger warning for pregnancy and childbirth which is depicted in probably the gnarliest way I’ve ever encountered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Confinement and Infertility
Minor: Excrement
Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow ok, I signed up to be scared, not HEARTBROKEN. Rude, lol. I was not expecting to be left crying at the end of a horror book, but here we are!
But in all seriousness this was really good. Despite the “Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies” description, I didn’t find it necessarily frightening as much as I just found it really… upsetting? Tragic? The relationship between Father Andrew and Peter was so endearing, but I also appreciated how Andrew’s character—objectively the best of the priests—is not perfect (I mean, he’s complicit in child abuse).
Peter’s internal struggle the entire book with whether or not to become a priest himself serves as such a good sort-of backdrop to the rest of the story and his role in it as well. I just really liked Peter’s character, and even though I’m not a person of faith, I found his story really moving.
If you like horror that explores religious themes, this is right up your alley.
But in all seriousness this was really good. Despite the “Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies” description, I didn’t find it necessarily frightening as much as I just found it really… upsetting? Tragic? The relationship between Father Andrew and Peter was so endearing, but I also appreciated how Andrew’s character—objectively the best of the priests—is not perfect (I mean, he’s complicit in child abuse).
Peter’s internal struggle the entire book with whether or not to become a priest himself serves as such a good sort-of backdrop to the rest of the story and his role in it as well. I just really liked Peter’s character, and even though I’m not a person of faith, I found his story really moving.
If you like horror that explores religious themes, this is right up your alley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Chronic illness, and Domestic abuse
The Basilisk of Star Manor by Kathryn Moon
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This was my least favorite of the books from this series, but I still enjoyed it. Marius’s character intrigued me enough in The Company of Fiends that I wanted to read his story, but it was surprisingly underwhelming (not to the point of being like BAD or anything, just, not as exciting as I imagined it’d be).
This might stem from my overall apathy toward the “virgin FMC gets taught how to sex by experienced MMC” trope. I don’t hate it, but it doesn’t excite me. I think Kathryn Moon still did it pretty well here.
Being someone who can see, I can’t speak to whether or not Lillian’s blindness is handled well, but I certainly always appreciate disability representation. It was nice that Marius was so willing to offer Lillian freedom, and never seemed to infantilize her.
Overall this was a fun, short read.
This might stem from my overall apathy toward the “virgin FMC gets taught how to sex by experienced MMC” trope. I don’t hate it, but it doesn’t excite me. I think Kathryn Moon still did it pretty well here.
Being someone who can see, I can’t speak to whether or not Lillian’s blindness is handled well, but I certainly always appreciate disability representation. It was nice that Marius was so willing to offer Lillian freedom, and never seemed to infantilize her.
Overall this was a fun, short read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault
The Book of Queer Saints by Mae Murray
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
There’s nothing wrong with this, I think I’m just realizing that I don’t really enjoy short story collections.
I think it’s because like, for me, the very beginning of a story—when you’re first thrust into this new setting and you don’t yet care about the characters or have any sort of investment in the plot—is the hardest for me to focus on and push through.
And a collection of short stories kind of suspends you in that stage. There’s so much stopping and starting. My brain just has trouble latching on. It’s absolutely not the fault of the book or any of the contributing authors.
I think it’s because like, for me, the very beginning of a story—when you’re first thrust into this new setting and you don’t yet care about the characters or have any sort of investment in the plot—is the hardest for me to focus on and push through.
And a collection of short stories kind of suspends you in that stage. There’s so much stopping and starting. My brain just has trouble latching on. It’s absolutely not the fault of the book or any of the contributing authors.
We Can Never Leave This Place by Eric LaRocca
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
File this under: “Bruh, WTF Did I Just Read?”
Listen, I don’t pick up on like metaphor and symbolism very easily, so I’m not the best at attempting literary analysis, but what I CAN say I definitely absorbed from this, was a sense of the monstrous damage that grief and trauma can do to a family—how consuming it can be (pun absolutely intended).
I found the writing well-paced for the most part (I wasn’t forcing myself to push through; I was genuinely interested in finding out what happens next), although at times it felt a little repetitive.
I saw in other reviews that people said the twist was too predictable, but to be entirely honest, I’m still not even really sure what the twist WAS. Are we to believe the “vermin” weren’t real and the entire time it was just people? But then… I mean, Mara is still missing an arm at the end. What did they do with it? Were they actually cannibals? Why did her mother invite them in? I’m just so confused.
Overall it certainly made an impression, but I don’t think I’m smart enough for this high-brow sort of horror. Like it’s good! But I’m clearly not literate enough to dissect it the way it deserves to be, lol.
Listen, I don’t pick up on like metaphor and symbolism very easily, so I’m not the best at attempting literary analysis, but what I CAN say I definitely absorbed from this, was a sense of the monstrous damage that grief and trauma can do to a family—how consuming it can be (pun absolutely intended).
I found the writing well-paced for the most part (I wasn’t forcing myself to push through; I was genuinely interested in finding out what happens next), although at times it felt a little repetitive.
Overall it certainly made an impression, but I don’t think I’m smart enough for this high-brow sort of horror. Like it’s good! But I’m clearly not literate enough to dissect it the way it deserves to be, lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Child death
Minor: Vomit and Abortion
The Company of Fiends by Kathryn Moon
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This shocked me, because honestly, I didn’t expect to like it as much as A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor—the length was what intimidated me, along with reviews saying it was more plot-heavy than the first book; I was worried it’d be overwritten—but I actually enjoyed this one a lot more!
The characters were so interesting (I’ve read a lot of monster romance, so I know what to expect from an Orc or Fae or Demons, but the Gemini was a genuine, pleasant surprise), and the slow-building tension within the relationships actually added to my overall enjoyment. I didn’t think it was overwritten. It held my attention, to the point where even when it was like 1 am and my eyes were half-closed, I couldn’t stop reading.
The characters were so interesting (I’ve read a lot of monster romance, so I know what to expect from an Orc or Fae or Demons, but the Gemini was a genuine, pleasant surprise), and the slow-building tension within the relationships actually added to my overall enjoyment. I didn’t think it was overwritten. It held my attention, to the point where even when it was like 1 am and my eyes were half-closed, I couldn’t stop reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Slavery, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I needed a solid monster romance that would have me giggling and kicking my feet, and this book has been on my radar for so long so I figured I’d finally give it a shot. It definitely didn’t disappoint. I liked the characters, I enjoyed the romance, the spice was spectacular, and I’ll for sure be checking out the other books in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Fire/Fire injury
What the Dead Know by Nghi Vo
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
I love a good, quick little ghost story. I wanted something spooky to listen to in the hour of spare time I had and this was perfect. It was well-written, and simple in a satisfying way, while still being interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail