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shereadytoread's reviews
756 reviews
Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir by Kai Cheng Thom
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
The strength of this book is it’s fast pace. It keeps moving from start to finish. Everything that happens pushes the story along, even if you don’t realize it at the moment. You are reading what feels like a diary in story form (first person POV).
We watch as the character sets out on her own due to her parents not accepting her transition and forming a family with other femmes on “Miracle Street”. Due to her tendency to exaggerate or outright lie, at some points we aren’t sure what is true.
The book includes poetry as well as letters to her sister. I enjoyed the story and I found the main character to be really well written. The family that she finds and creates is dynamic and adds a lot to the plot. While her decisions may not always be agreeable, they are very grounded in who she is.
We watch as the character sets out on her own due to her parents not accepting her transition and forming a family with other femmes on “Miracle Street”. Due to her tendency to exaggerate or outright lie, at some points we aren’t sure what is true.
The book includes poetry as well as letters to her sister. I enjoyed the story and I found the main character to be really well written. The family that she finds and creates is dynamic and adds a lot to the plot. While her decisions may not always be agreeable, they are very grounded in who she is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Violence
Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was such a great sci-fi adventure. It follows our two main characters Fassen and Lu. Both are nonbinary kids who meet and maintain a secret relationship as they grow up being impacted in different ways by an oppressive empire. It’s a story of growth and finding a way forward when even those on the “good” side are morally unaligned.
I loved the use of technology and AI characters in this book as a way of exploring multiple ways of being. There is a lot of representation of trans and nonbinary characters, and the general cast is diverse in other ways as well.
I loved the use of technology and AI characters in this book as a way of exploring multiple ways of being. There is a lot of representation of trans and nonbinary characters, and the general cast is diverse in other ways as well.
Chloe: A Novel of Secrets and Lies by Connie Briscoe
mysterious
tense
3.5
This was a quick domestic suspense. It is an updated retelling of Rebecca but I haven't read that so I can't speak to hwo well its done in an adaptation. The book is split into 2 parts (almost exactly halfway through) with the pacing of the second being much faster than the pacing of the first half. While you still get that eyeroll at a few moments, the book is set up in a way that you can understand the reasoning that Angel makes the choices she does.
There is a lot of clear commentary on class differences and what people will do to get ahead (or to be perceived as being ahead). While the book is named Chloe, I would say only 25% of the book is about the actual mystery surrounding Chloe. In true gothic fashion, the primary of the book is building the tension and leading the character to be willing to confront that something is wrong here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the publisher.
There is a lot of clear commentary on class differences and what people will do to get ahead (or to be perceived as being ahead). While the book is named Chloe, I would say only 25% of the book is about the actual mystery surrounding Chloe. In true gothic fashion, the primary of the book is building the tension and leading the character to be willing to confront that something is wrong here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death, Grief
Minor: Suicide
Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
emotional
reflective
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
This book gave me everything I’m looking for in a good rivals to lovers.
1. Great character history between them
2. A reason to be rivals that actually makes sense
3. Two distinct characters that are both equally complex
This sapphic romance was an emotional ride and I loved it! It starts out a little slow but pays off. Sage and Noah’s petty banter in forced proximity was great. They both had equally complex but completely different family backgrounds that added a lot to the story.
This book touched on mental health issues, dysfunctional families, chronic pain/physical disability and more.
1. Great character history between them
2. A reason to be rivals that actually makes sense
3. Two distinct characters that are both equally complex
This sapphic romance was an emotional ride and I loved it! It starts out a little slow but pays off. Sage and Noah’s petty banter in forced proximity was great. They both had equally complex but completely different family backgrounds that added a lot to the story.
This book touched on mental health issues, dysfunctional families, chronic pain/physical disability and more.
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is an extremely dark read. It takes place in a dark dystopian near future in which society has fallen through a series of events discussed but never fully identified. The main character is a member of a convent that follows a religion of enlightenment that is maintained through high levels of pain and violence.
If you cannot deal with details of injury then this is definitely not for you. Through the book it is present in explicit detail. At the core this book is about coming back to yourself, the pliability of morality and finding something to fight for. I think this book leaned much heavier into dark violence than the previous works I’ve read by this author. It almost felt like it dragged out too much that every page for much of the book is just infliction of pain or pondering on such in some way.
Disclosure: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
If you cannot deal with details of injury then this is definitely not for you. Through the book it is present in explicit detail. At the core this book is about coming back to yourself, the pliability of morality and finding something to fight for. I think this book leaned much heavier into dark violence than the previous works I’ve read by this author. It almost felt like it dragged out too much that every page for much of the book is just infliction of pain or pondering on such in some way.
Disclosure: I received a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual violence
They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran
dark
emotional
tense
- 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
4.5
I really enjoyed the book. It was such a different vibe from She is a Haunting. The imagery of the setting of the mutated swamp was so well done and described. The passages of body horror were described in a way that was so unsettling but not completely gross.
The character of Noon was really well written. Dealing with a natural disaster, loss as a result, complicated family dynamics, and exploration of their own identity. Her choices are measured and difficult, often with no "right" option, leading to a complex character journey as they all try to survive.
The book blends eco-horror, Vietnamese folklore, and body horror in a striking piece. It handles the trauma of our characters with care, and delivers a deeply immersive exploration of identity, climate change, class, and intersectionality on a horrific backdrop.
I listened to a portion of the audio to get a sense of the narration. The narrator I thought was good and the story was really engaging via audio.
Disclosure: I received a free hardcover from the publisher and a free ALC from Libro.FM.
The character of Noon was really well written. Dealing with a natural disaster, loss as a result, complicated family dynamics, and exploration of their own identity. Her choices are measured and difficult, often with no "right" option, leading to a complex character journey as they all try to survive.
The book blends eco-horror, Vietnamese folklore, and body horror in a striking piece. It handles the trauma of our characters with care, and delivers a deeply immersive exploration of identity, climate change, class, and intersectionality on a horrific backdrop.
I listened to a portion of the audio to get a sense of the narration. The narrator I thought was good and the story was really engaging via audio.
Disclosure: I received a free hardcover from the publisher and a free ALC from Libro.FM.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar by Robin R. Means Coleman, Mark H. Harris
funny
informative
reflective
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot but not as much as I wished. It is an entry level/introductory text so if you don't have a large foundation of information about black cinema or horror cinema, this is probably the perfect book for you. As someone that has read a lot about horror and film history, this didn't have a ton of new information.
One strength if you enjoy a more personable tone in nonfiction is that this book uses a lot of humor and jokes throughout. It presents the information in an easy to digest way that has a lot of "listicle" sections to break up the larger chapters. I did really enjoy a few of those and they were typically very humorous.
Having read works by both of the authors separately, you can really see each of their influence in the text. Some of the humor did not land for me, but I think it can be a great draw if you are not a heavy nonfiction reader.
This is a great delve into the history of black representation in cinema, stereotypes of black characters, evolution of focus in black horror over the 20th and 21st century.
One strength if you enjoy a more personable tone in nonfiction is that this book uses a lot of humor and jokes throughout. It presents the information in an easy to digest way that has a lot of "listicle" sections to break up the larger chapters. I did really enjoy a few of those and they were typically very humorous.
Having read works by both of the authors separately, you can really see each of their influence in the text. Some of the humor did not land for me, but I think it can be a great draw if you are not a heavy nonfiction reader.
This is a great delve into the history of black representation in cinema, stereotypes of black characters, evolution of focus in black horror over the 20th and 21st century.
Final Girls by Mira Grant
2.5
This wasnt my favorite and it’s hard to pin down why. It felt at some points the author was over explaining the obvious and then at some points there was not enough given when it was needed.
At the bare bones it’s a story about essentially corporate espionage with a spin towards sci-fi and horror. I don’t think it was my favorite premise to start with and the writing wasn’t hitting the mark for me. I will definitely give this author another shot but I don’t think this was the right place for me to start in their backlist.
At the bare bones it’s a story about essentially corporate espionage with a spin towards sci-fi and horror. I don’t think it was my favorite premise to start with and the writing wasn’t hitting the mark for me. I will definitely give this author another shot but I don’t think this was the right place for me to start in their backlist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma
A Pack for Autumn by Emilia Emerson
emotional
lighthearted
- 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
2.5
I think this cemented that omegaverse books may not be for me but I think it’s as good of an omegaverse book/story as I’ve ever read.
My issue is primarily the constant repetition of alpha and omega which is a tenet of this type of story, but highly interrupts the flow of storytelling to repeat in first or third person. To use the same exact word in almost every piece of dialogue felt like saying a persons name at the beginning of every sentence. It’s just meh.
The flow of the story itself is nice. It is why choose so relationships work in 3s and 4s it seems for everyone. The supporting characters are kind and really rally around the main character. Honestly if not for the repetitive word usage I think this book could have been 4 or 5 stars for me.
I enjoyed the interesting mental health take that the story took in relation to the FMC and the various family structures represented, not just the pack relationships but foster/fictive kin care, community care, grandparent caregivers and more. There’s a lot to like about this world but the writing is not for me.
My issue is primarily the constant repetition of alpha and omega which is a tenet of this type of story, but highly interrupts the flow of storytelling to repeat in first or third person. To use the same exact word in almost every piece of dialogue felt like saying a persons name at the beginning of every sentence. It’s just meh.
The flow of the story itself is nice. It is why choose so relationships work in 3s and 4s it seems for everyone. The supporting characters are kind and really rally around the main character. Honestly if not for the repetitive word usage I think this book could have been 4 or 5 stars for me.
I enjoyed the interesting mental health take that the story took in relation to the FMC and the various family structures represented, not just the pack relationships but foster/fictive kin care, community care, grandparent caregivers and more. There’s a lot to like about this world but the writing is not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
emotional
funny
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 really enjoyed this book. Rarely do I actually laugh at the comedy in a rom-com, but a few of the situations were hilarious. The cast of characters and fun banter made this a good reading experience. I loved Danica Nava's writing and how she described the characters. The overall pacing I thought was good but some situations definitely happened a bit faster than I thought made sense within the context of the story.
Now the plot itself was great. A few "white lies" on the resume snowball into a big web of lies that our main character is caught in putting her job and romance at risk. It made sense and it was generally believable.
Where the book faltered from being a 5-star for me was the lying became so much of a pattern. It made sense when Ember told lies to cover up the lies that she already told, but quite a few seemed to just be lying for no reason which added some meh for me.
I am excited to read Danica's next release. Her writing kept me engaged, all the surrounding characters have their own distinct personality and voice. I would love to see this become a series of interconnected standalone to revisit some of our ensemble characters (especially her best friend and her brother!).
Now the plot itself was great. A few "white lies" on the resume snowball into a big web of lies that our main character is caught in putting her job and romance at risk. It made sense and it was generally believable.
Where the book faltered from being a 5-star for me was the lying became so much of a pattern. It made sense when Ember told lies to cover up the lies that she already told, but quite a few seemed to just be lying for no reason which added some meh for me.
I am excited to read Danica's next release. Her writing kept me engaged, all the surrounding characters have their own distinct personality and voice. I would love to see this become a series of interconnected standalone to revisit some of our ensemble characters (especially her best friend and her brother!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol