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foiblesandfiction's reviews
462 reviews
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
I loved it all - the POVs and tense, the dark alchemy, the angst, the setting, the dog.
And I knew that I would love it which is why it only took me a year to finish reading through the whole thing. Darn you, brain.
For fans of lonely girls and earnest boys, of moody hills bordering rough surf, of overcoming the odds because damned if you'll let hate win the day.
And I knew that I would love it which is why it only took me a year to finish reading through the whole thing. Darn you, brain.
For fans of lonely girls and earnest boys, of moody hills bordering rough surf, of overcoming the odds because damned if you'll let hate win the day.
The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
Editor, come get your book! It's broken.
All tell, no show.
Shallow, boring characters.
Underdeveloped setting and lore.
Nonsensical plot points and twists.
The premise was promising, the cover is gorgeous, but this is the kind of book that makes me understand why people swear off the young adult genre.
Editor, come get your book! It's broken.
All tell, no show.
Shallow, boring characters.
Underdeveloped setting and lore.
Nonsensical plot points and twists.
The premise was promising, the cover is gorgeous, but this is the kind of book that makes me understand why people swear off the young adult genre.
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
I've been sitting on this review for a couple of weeks because I'm just not sure how I feel about the book.
I loved it. I also didn't necessarily like it. And maybe those are two different things, just like we are able to love people without liking them, which makes sense for me because my mind tends to personify all books. Books have feelings, too.
This story sank it's teeth right into my religious trauma, and the resonating ache from that is why I love this story so. The character names, the Bible verses, the rules and judgements and negative self-talk. I felt, I feel, all of that. It's all very twisty and knotted up in my chest so I won't be able to say very much more than that, to be honest. Too raw, too messy.
Forget about the body horror, my issue was the Christians lol
Sorry Christians! Kind of.
Why I disconnected from this story was due to the writing itself. It's gorgeous and it's also a lot. It doesn't read like the first-person point of view of a sixteen year old kid. Unfortunately, this kept taking me out of the story.
Recommended for fans of Ava Reid. If, like me, you found yourself highlighting entire paragraphs of The Wolf and the Woodsman, or disturbingly delighted at the cannibalistic horror of Juniper & Thorn, you'll find something to enjoy in this young adult horror novel as well.
I loved it. I also didn't necessarily like it. And maybe those are two different things, just like we are able to love people without liking them, which makes sense for me because my mind tends to personify all books. Books have feelings, too.
This story sank it's teeth right into my religious trauma, and the resonating ache from that is why I love this story so. The character names, the Bible verses, the rules and judgements and negative self-talk. I felt, I feel, all of that. It's all very twisty and knotted up in my chest so I won't be able to say very much more than that, to be honest. Too raw, too messy.
Forget about the body horror, my issue was the Christians lol
Sorry Christians! Kind of.
Why I disconnected from this story was due to the writing itself. It's gorgeous and it's also a lot. It doesn't read like the first-person point of view of a sixteen year old kid. Unfortunately, this kept taking me out of the story.
Recommended for fans of Ava Reid. If, like me, you found yourself highlighting entire paragraphs of The Wolf and the Woodsman, or disturbingly delighted at the cannibalistic horror of Juniper & Thorn, you'll find something to enjoy in this young adult horror novel as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy!
The amount of world building that was developed in this short novel was incredible. I didn't expect the depth or believability that the author created, but it's there. I also really enjoyed the vulnerable and intense themes that the author explored - queer love in a time and place that found it immoral and illegal; misogyny and the imbalanced power dynamics from which women suffer; the institutionalization of women in asylums and their horrific suffering of conversion therapies.
Where this book fell short for me was the ending. To be blunt, I don't like it. Both the plot choices that the author made as well as the technicalities of how it was written. The culmination of the noir-like murder mystery was cleanly wrapped up yet the plot twist was predictable. And while Helen and Edith's relationship gave me all the feels, I was disappointed by the lack of resolution for Helen's fractured relationship with her brother.
However, please don't let these criticisms hold you back from being able to enjoy the beautiful love of this sapphic couple. They were sweet enough to make my molars ache, and I recommend this book to anyone needing a quick read to break a reading slump.
The amount of world building that was developed in this short novel was incredible. I didn't expect the depth or believability that the author created, but it's there. I also really enjoyed the vulnerable and intense themes that the author explored - queer love in a time and place that found it immoral and illegal; misogyny and the imbalanced power dynamics from which women suffer; the institutionalization of women in asylums and their horrific suffering of conversion therapies.
Where this book fell short for me was the ending. To be blunt, I don't like it. Both the plot choices that the author made as well as the technicalities of how it was written. The culmination of the noir-like murder mystery was cleanly wrapped up yet the plot twist was predictable. And while Helen and Edith's relationship gave me all the feels, I was disappointed by the lack of resolution for Helen's fractured relationship with her brother.
However, please don't let these criticisms hold you back from being able to enjoy the beautiful love of this sapphic couple. They were sweet enough to make my molars ache, and I recommend this book to anyone needing a quick read to break a reading slump.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm one of those contrary people who often snubs books that are much too hyped, and this book is very hyped. So shocker - I loved it. I want a physical copy and an immediate reread.
From the cover alone I was prepared for fantastical cuteness, but I was not expecting a full adventure following our (because she's ours...I will fight wars for her) autistic-coded scientist Emily Wilde on her faerie excursion while being hounded by her he-falls-first academic rival/friend. The first person pov and epistolary style helped me to connect to Emily as a main character and I loved being able to see her navigate the world as an autistic person. Many hijinks ensue, of course, as well as a small quest and, god, I love a quest.
If you enjoy Stalking Jack the Ripper and A Natural History Of Dragons and wish that those two books had a gorgeous little literary baby, then this book is it for you.
From the cover alone I was prepared for fantastical cuteness, but I was not expecting a full adventure following our (because she's ours...I will fight wars for her) autistic-coded scientist Emily Wilde on her faerie excursion while being hounded by her he-falls-first academic rival/friend. The first person pov and epistolary style helped me to connect to Emily as a main character and I loved being able to see her navigate the world as an autistic person. Many hijinks ensue, of course, as well as a small quest and, god, I love a quest.
If you enjoy Stalking Jack the Ripper and A Natural History Of Dragons and wish that those two books had a gorgeous little literary baby, then this book is it for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, and Blood
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
the characters were too obnoxious to continue
Shadow's Chosen by Olivia Riley
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Alien mercenaries in a Blade Runner setting. Say less. Loved it.
My only quibble was with some inconsistent characterization. For example, we're told from the first page that the female main character is a badass... She didn't live up to the hype, in my humble opinion. But, BUT, ten million percent enjoyed the story and would recommend it in a heartbeat.
My only quibble was with some inconsistent characterization. For example, we're told from the first page that the female main character is a badass... She didn't live up to the hype, in my humble opinion. But, BUT, ten million percent enjoyed the story and would recommend it in a heartbeat.
Dark's Savior by Olivia Riley
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
These settings - ahhhh! I love them so much. They add so much to the story and the stakes of the plot. And they're just so damn enjoyable for my creepy-loving heart.
This book was great, devoured it, but I was disappointed by a few plot points that were left off the page and really should have been included for readers to see. I will not name these plot points because I am (generally) not asshole who spoils things but you know who you are, plots points *glares menacingly*
This book was great, devoured it, but I was disappointed by a few plot points that were left off the page and really should have been included for readers to see. I will not name these plot points because I am (generally) not asshole who spoils things but you know who you are, plots points *glares menacingly*
Drowned Country by Emily Tesh
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
A new comfort series. I laughed, I teared up. The writing is gorgeous and I want to highlight the entire book then have it play on a loop in my brain in order to admire the author's way with punctuation.
Please read this duology if you enjoy heartfelt folk fantasy, such as books by Naomi Novik or Juliet Marillier.
Please read this duology if you enjoy heartfelt folk fantasy, such as books by Naomi Novik or Juliet Marillier.
The Bladed Faith by David Dalglish
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i will admit that reading this book was a rough go. while the world building and characterization is incredible, the pacing is very slow. the first half of the book had me tempted to return it back to the library multiple times. in fact, i had a significant crisis of faith (har, those that have read the book get it) around the halfway point and had a very one-sided conversation with my non-reader spouse as to whether or not i should finish the book.
thank god i did finish the book because that ending had me throwing my hands up in the air and gasping out loud. i've been thinking about it for hours since finishing that last page. the effort to push through those slow points was worth it. i immediately put the second book on hold at the library.
i will say that the synopsis does not do a good job at setting clear expectations for the reader about the focus of this story. yes, it's about cyrus seeking vengeance and becoming a heroic, god-like vigilante. but i'd argue that it's moreso a heavy critique on imperialism and the use of european christianity to decimate civilizations and erase cultures. it's intense and i can imagine it being quite triggering for some readers.
thank god i did finish the book because that ending had me throwing my hands up in the air and gasping out loud. i've been thinking about it for hours since finishing that last page. the effort to push through those slow points was worth it. i immediately put the second book on hold at the library.
i will say that the synopsis does not do a good job at setting clear expectations for the reader about the focus of this story. yes, it's about cyrus seeking vengeance and becoming a heroic, god-like vigilante. but i'd argue that it's moreso a heavy critique on imperialism and the use of european christianity to decimate civilizations and erase cultures. it's intense and i can imagine it being quite triggering for some readers.