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lyss_reads's reviews
156 reviews
Wisteria by Adalyn Grace
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Bullying
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun engaging read and so beautifully divergent coded. Cordelia was wonderfully and painfully socially awkward, I really found myself rooting for her and cheering her on as she grew into her character and confidence, building relationships and ultimately thwarting the enemy in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child death
The Lonely Below by g. haron davis
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Overall this was a fun middle grade read with black autistic representation and a creepy plot that could give readers of all ages goosebumps. However, I felt there were several moments within the story where the plot fell short, and would have befitted more by taking the time to delve deeper into the background story and/or the motivations behind certain characters behaviors/decisions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism and Death
Minor: Violence and Vomit
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Body horror and Rape
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Pregnancy
They Thought They Buried Us by NoNieqa Ramos
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Let me start by saying I was deeply intrigued by the premise of this book. The setting and atmosphere were great. A haunted boarding school with a dark secret and an aspiring horror filmmaker who is being forced to attend, as to not let their parents down.
Queer horror? Academic setting? A haunting? Yes, please!
It turns out, unfortunately, this just wasn't the story for me. The pacing and writing style were a bit odd and clunky for me. It felt like it took a while for the plot to really get going and the characters sometimes read as much younger than they were supposed to be. (In the first chapters our main character read as a middle school student rather than a high school teen.) This made it hard for me to get invested in the story and to understand character motivations, and their reasoning behind decisions.
However, I can see how this would appeal to another audience. The way this book was set up in a movie script style was really lovely and a nice change of pace. The story also relies on some classic horror tropes, and truly is creepy if you connect with the plot and characters.
Queer horror? Academic setting? A haunting? Yes, please!
It turns out, unfortunately, this just wasn't the story for me. The pacing and writing style were a bit odd and clunky for me. It felt like it took a while for the plot to really get going and the characters sometimes read as much younger than they were supposed to be. (In the first chapters our main character read as a middle school student rather than a high school teen.) This made it hard for me to get invested in the story and to understand character motivations, and their reasoning behind decisions.
However, I can see how this would appeal to another audience. The way this book was set up in a movie script style was really lovely and a nice change of pace. The story also relies on some classic horror tropes, and truly is creepy if you connect with the plot and characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Racism, Vomit, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence and Grief
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
Note: Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.
Rivers Solomon does it again!
Model Home is a deeply unsettling and twisted tale about generational trauma, violence, racism, gentrification, and the way it shapes an individual.
Ezri's mother Eudora has dreams of building the perfect home with the perfect family and will stop at nothing to get it. Finally, it seems she has reached the top when their family moves into 677, a large model home in a gated white community in Dallas. Soon after, strange things begin to happen.
Years later, now grown, Ezri is called back to 677 when tragedy strikes again. They, along with their sisters, are finally forced to confront the traumas they've endured, and the secrets that lie within the walls of their family home.
Rivers is a master at crafting gory, horrific, tales with one of a kind characters that are as interesting as they are flawed. I deeply love the characters Rivers creates and the representation they take on. This author does not shy away from the uncomfortable realities that is the human experience.
Model Home is creepy, dark, and unforgiving , with passages that will turn your stomach and leave you wondering what you've just read.
The ending was one I did not see coming and truly left me haunted.
Rivers Solomon does it again!
Model Home is a deeply unsettling and twisted tale about generational trauma, violence, racism, gentrification, and the way it shapes an individual.
Ezri's mother Eudora has dreams of building the perfect home with the perfect family and will stop at nothing to get it. Finally, it seems she has reached the top when their family moves into 677, a large model home in a gated white community in Dallas. Soon after, strange things begin to happen.
Years later, now grown, Ezri is called back to 677 when tragedy strikes again. They, along with their sisters, are finally forced to confront the traumas they've endured, and the secrets that lie within the walls of their family home.
Rivers is a master at crafting gory, horrific, tales with one of a kind characters that are as interesting as they are flawed. I deeply love the characters Rivers creates and the representation they take on. This author does not shy away from the uncomfortable realities that is the human experience.
Model Home is creepy, dark, and unforgiving , with passages that will turn your stomach and leave you wondering what you've just read.
The ending was one I did not see coming and truly left me haunted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming and Vomit
Find Her by Ginger Reno
emotional
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? No
3.75
This fast paced middle grade novel will keep you wondering long after you've closed the book. Perfect for fans of Firekeeper's Daughter.
Wren is a bit of a loner with a gift for finding lost things. She is determined to find her mother who disappeared when Wren was young-another unsolved MMIW. Wren's Grandmother, however wonders if focusing so much on her mother's missing case is good for Wren ,and instead encourages her to use her finder skills elsewhere and start a pet finding business.
Wren soon finds herself wrapped up in another mystery: who is kidnapping and torturing local animals?
This was a quick read with all the elements of a good mystery, intertwined with indigenous culture and an ending that will leave you wanting more. Wren was an engaging character with a strong sense of justice, who kept me wondering what she would do next.
I appreciated the cultural elements of this story. It brought up many important topics of racism, violence, and discrimination against indigenous girls and women.
Personally, I would have loved to see Wren and her grandmother engage with their culture more, and to see Wren's father make the effort to learn more about her culture as well.
Overall, this was quick and engaging read with a satisfying mystery that did not hold back on details or emotions, and reminded me of some of my favorite teen detective stories that first introduced me to the genre.
Wren is a bit of a loner with a gift for finding lost things. She is determined to find her mother who disappeared when Wren was young-another unsolved MMIW. Wren's Grandmother, however wonders if focusing so much on her mother's missing case is good for Wren ,and instead encourages her to use her finder skills elsewhere and start a pet finding business.
Wren soon finds herself wrapped up in another mystery: who is kidnapping and torturing local animals?
This was a quick read with all the elements of a good mystery, intertwined with indigenous culture and an ending that will leave you wanting more. Wren was an engaging character with a strong sense of justice, who kept me wondering what she would do next.
I appreciated the cultural elements of this story. It brought up many important topics of racism, violence, and discrimination against indigenous girls and women.
Personally, I would have loved to see Wren and her grandmother engage with their culture more, and to see Wren's father make the effort to learn more about her culture as well.
Overall, this was quick and engaging read with a satisfying mystery that did not hold back on details or emotions, and reminded me of some of my favorite teen detective stories that first introduced me to the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What a journey from start to finish. This book was beautiful, traumatic, heartbreaking, but ultimately healing at the end.
Please read more indigenous stories by indigenous authors .
Please read more indigenous stories by indigenous authors .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: War