e_gracereads's reviews
224 reviews

Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s deeply hard to like the main character of this book, but in the way that it’s deeply hard to really like most teenage boys, and it’s also very hard to not feel a little bit bad for Crash. Overall, this was a great look into teenage life, and the overwhelming apathy that most young people are treated with, particularly by the adults around them. 
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This remains one of the most nauseating horror books I’ve ever read and congrats, it’s just as disgusting the second time! 

Seriously though - I first read this in 2021 and haven’t stopped thinking about it for 3 years. I’ve never read anything like it and don’t really anticipate that I ever will. 
The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad medium-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

jean moreau they could never make me hate you 
Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 by Steve Coll

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Excellent play by play of the intelligence community leading up to 9/11. Highly recommend - very thorough.
Horn, Sahel, and Rift: Fault-Lines of the African Jihad by Stig Jarle Hansen

Go to review page

informative medium-paced

4.0

Solid book - gives basic overview of the (many) primary terrorist organizations in Africa, and comparing and contrasting to paint a better picture of the landscape of violence. 
Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mmmmmm oh my god give me five more right now. I LOVED Lowe and Misery (against my will, frankly. What kind of name is Misery) and sweet baby Jesus I believe they’re in love. This was the perfect amount of plot (actually interesting!), the perfect amount of romance (actually believable!), and the perfect amount of smut (actually hot!)! Ali Hazelwood what’s ur ao3 Lowe is so Derek coded I KNOW you wrote teen wolf fanfic
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautiful, heart wrenching, terrifying book. My favorite so far this year 
The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski

Go to review page

adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Definitely interesting, but probably because I’m already invested via the TV series. 
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I actually loved this book. It was heartfelt and funny and tense in all the right places, and one of those books to remind you how indomitable the human spirit is. 
For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012 by Peter Maslowski, William B. Feis, Allan Reed Millett

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
I’ll be coming back for another history class. Unfortunately.