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natreviews's reviews
417 reviews
Walk Among Us: Compiled Edition by Genevieve Gornichec
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
So I really liked this book. The three short stories were really good, and they kept on improving from one to the next. The only reason this isn't getting 5 stars is because some were better than others. I found Genevieve Gornichec's to be the weakest of the 3 (which I found surprising, considering one of my favourite books is The Witches Heart). Cassandra Khaw's was an improvement, but the best was Caitlin Starling's. That doesn't mean any of them are not written well! They are all really well written. I just found Gornichec's to be a bit cliché, Khaw's to be a tiny bit confusing with an unlovable protagonist (which again, isn't a bad thing). It's hard to write for a world you didn't make up (as this is based on the world of the TTRPG), so major credit to all three stories. This also introduced me to Starling's work! I will defiantly be picking up some of her other works after reading this one!
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So the best way I can describe this book is by calling it an incel bible.
I will say this book disturbed me. Like... wtf just happened? It is really boring in the beginning, but it does ramp up and then gets really weird. Also, as a warning, this book contains a lot of slurs. Be warned.
I will be keeping this on my shelf for a more interesting breakdown and marking later on. Just... what did I just read?
I will say this book disturbed me. Like... wtf just happened? It is really boring in the beginning, but it does ramp up and then gets really weird. Also, as a warning, this book contains a lot of slurs. Be warned.
I will be keeping this on my shelf for a more interesting breakdown and marking later on. Just... what did I just read?
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
So if you liked The Crucible or The VVitch, you'll probably want to check this one out. It's a New England Folktale that focuses on a woman who, after her husband dies, just wants to take care of herself and her things. Oh ya, there's also a goatman and some forest folk to join the ride.
To me, this book was enjoyable, but predictable. You could pretty much tell what Abitha's story was going to be after every chapter. I also didn't find it all that gruesome, as if you know of the US Witch Trails, you know the methods that were used to "prove" and convict witches. The highlight is the artwork found in the middle of the book. It's very cool.
Do I regret reading it? No. Would I ever read it again, probably not.
To me, this book was enjoyable, but predictable. You could pretty much tell what Abitha's story was going to be after every chapter. I also didn't find it all that gruesome, as if you know of the US Witch Trails, you know the methods that were used to "prove" and convict witches. The highlight is the artwork found in the middle of the book. It's very cool.
Do I regret reading it? No. Would I ever read it again, probably not.
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This is an excellent book if you want to learn about human cadavers or are interested in becoming one. If you know the history of cadavers (body snatchers, etc.) then the first couple of chapters may be a bore, but it really picks up from there. The tone is also pretty light considering the subject matter. Mary keeps a nice balance between serious, informative, and funny.
This book was written in 2003, so it'd be interesting to see how much science and the technology/techniques mentioned in this book have changed over the almost 20 years since this was published.
I will be reading more Mary Roach as her books seem fun and informative (there's even one about when animals break the law)!
This book was written in 2003, so it'd be interesting to see how much science and the technology/techniques mentioned in this book have changed over the almost 20 years since this was published.
I will be reading more Mary Roach as her books seem fun and informative (there's even one about when animals break the law)!
Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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 is a gruesome and amazing read. You can tell that love was put into all of the details, from the benign to the gruesome.
I will say I figured out the twist with Abbey probably half way through the book (once THAT scene happened), but holy shit it was still good. The way you start out feeling sad for the main character and gradually feel disgusted by her is such a force and credit to how well written this story is. I'll probably check out more books by this author, but this novel isn't for the faint of heart.
I will say I figured out the twist with Abbey probably half way through the book (once THAT scene happened), but holy shit it was still good. The way you start out feeling sad for the main character and gradually feel disgusted by her is such a force and credit to how well written this story is. I'll probably check out more books by this author, but this novel isn't for the faint of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I don't think I can say anything that hasn't been already said. This book is a hard read in general, but also is a hard read for fans of her career. I grew up watching iCarly, so of course I know her as her role on the show. It makes me sick knowing just a portion of what she went through, from her early years to now.
I will say this is a story that is inspiring to anyone whose had to deal with trauma. By the end of the book, you feel hopeful that Jennette can finally live her own life. Side note: how the hell did no other adult in the house notice the abuse going on? Like, how did these kids not end up in CPS at some point (it is mentioned that a neighbor did call CPS once, but other than that there is no mention of external intervention). The abuse in that household was staggering (and that's only from what was included in the novel, there was probably more going on that wasn't mentioned) and it's just really sad what she, her brothers, and everyone in that house had to go through.
I will say this is a story that is inspiring to anyone whose had to deal with trauma. By the end of the book, you feel hopeful that Jennette can finally live her own life. Side note: how the hell did no other adult in the house notice the abuse going on? Like, how did these kids not end up in CPS at some point (it is mentioned that a neighbor did call CPS once, but other than that there is no mention of external intervention). The abuse in that household was staggering (and that's only from what was included in the novel, there was probably more going on that wasn't mentioned) and it's just really sad what she, her brothers, and everyone in that house had to go through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Rape, Medical content, and Grief
True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay, I really liked this book. To be honest, part of you can understand why/how Suzy is Suzy. It's a hard read at parts, but nothing too crazy if you are a fan of the true crime genre (you'd have heard it all). It was really well written (apart from the odd spelling/grammar error) and was a good first outing for Kolesnik. I'm excited to keep track of her career and see what she writes next.
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
I found this book to be okay. The author took many liberties with the known facts of what happened with the Donner Party, and the supernatural twist in this one wasn't super developed. It was more inserted to make it supernatural instead of taking the horror of the real life tale and running with that.
I found the writing to be of the New Adult leaning Young Adult type. So it's written sort of in the way a young adult novel would be written, but a bit more mature (not enough to be classified as adult). It's not my favourite writing style, so no surprise I didn't really like it.
This book has good potential, but just misses the mark.
I found the writing to be of the New Adult leaning Young Adult type. So it's written sort of in the way a young adult novel would be written, but a bit more mature (not enough to be classified as adult). It's not my favourite writing style, so no surprise I didn't really like it.
This book has good potential, but just misses the mark.
Separating You: A Self-Help Book for the Lost, Lonely, and Psychotically Obsessed by Jason Carson
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So a serial killer writing a self-help book. An interesting concept that could have gone really bad, but didn't (well, not in the quality department at least). What's really interesting is that this book does exhibit your typical serial killer traits; obsessing, harming animals as a child, planning, etc.
As a quick warning: other than the obvious, the R slur does get dropped quite a bit within the last 30-40 pages of this book. Just a heads up for you people who'd rather not read that word if they can help it.
While reading I couldn't help thinking how Joe from You would absolutely have read this book and took pointers from it.
As a quick warning: other than the obvious, the R slur does get dropped quite a bit within the last 30-40 pages of this book. Just a heads up for you people who'd rather not read that word if they can help it.
While reading I couldn't help thinking how Joe from You would absolutely have read this book and took pointers from it.
Fist of the Spider Woman: Tales of Fear and Queer Desire by Amber Dawn
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This anthology reminds me a lot of the show Love, Death and Robots. If you've never seen it, the show is an anthology of short films, having to do with at least one element of the title (so it either has the themes of Love, Death, and/or Robots in it). Like that show, some are better than others.
In this anthology, all of the stories have to do with being queer and fear. The majority of the stories does include descriptive sex, so if that's not your style you might want to stay away from this book.
My favourite stories of this collection are Homeland, In Circles, Crabby, Shark, and Here Lies the Last Lesbian Rental in East Vancouver. I'm keeping these books because of those stories.
In this anthology, all of the stories have to do with being queer and fear. The majority of the stories does include descriptive sex, so if that's not your style you might want to stay away from this book.
My favourite stories of this collection are Homeland, In Circles, Crabby, Shark, and Here Lies the Last Lesbian Rental in East Vancouver. I'm keeping these books because of those stories.