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smashmo's reviews
295 reviews
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Enjoyed this one much more than I thought I would. The 3rd section really started to grate on my nerves though. Victor was way to whiney/annoying.
The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Listened on Audio
I wanted a spooky read for October and I definitely got it. I wouldn't say that I was scared, but there were definitely creepy vibes the whole way through. I loved Jane as a character and the way the her affinity for math/numbers was blended with the explanation of the magic. There's also insta-love, which I understand doesn't work for most people, but I didn't mind; it allowed us to get to the rest of the plot more quickly. The surgeries performed by Dr. Lawrence were another favorite aspect of this novel, which was surprising as I'm not usually one for body horror.
This was almost a 5 star read, but towards the end the story lost me. I enjoyed the fever dream confusion, and I was excited to get some solid answers as to what happened. Unfortunately the ending remained just a touch too vague.
I wanted a spooky read for October and I definitely got it. I wouldn't say that I was scared, but there were definitely creepy vibes the whole way through. I loved Jane as a character and the way the her affinity for math/numbers was blended with the explanation of the magic. There's also insta-love, which I understand doesn't work for most people, but I didn't mind; it allowed us to get to the rest of the plot more quickly. The surgeries performed by Dr. Lawrence were another favorite aspect of this novel, which was surprising as I'm not usually one for body horror.
This was almost a 5 star read, but towards the end the story lost me. I enjoyed the fever dream confusion, and I was excited to get some solid answers as to what happened. Unfortunately the ending remained just a touch too vague.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There were a couple things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the world of the old Kingdom, the magic system, and the mystery of Moggot.
Unfortunately I just didn't really feel too concerned about any of the characters, and so many things were only half explained. I often thought this book could be more fleshed out and expanded upon, but I was also glad that it wasn't any longer.
Unfortunately I just didn't really feel too concerned about any of the characters, and so many things were only half explained. I often thought this book could be more fleshed out and expanded upon, but I was also glad that it wasn't any longer.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Folktale style story about a princess/nun who wants to save her sister from the evil prince. I laughed out loud a couple times, and found the magic to be really cool and interesting. I didn't understand why Marra was so innocent and nieve even in her 30s and that grated on me a bit, especially at the beginning and middle portions.
Overall, really cute and fun time.
Overall, really cute and fun time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Miscarriage
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Read on Audio
I'm an adult with no children and I had such a fun time with this one. It's short and sweet and a very cute time. Neil is a wonderful narrator as always. Just sad I missed out on the illustrations.
I'm an adult with no children and I had such a fun time with this one. It's short and sweet and a very cute time. Neil is a wonderful narrator as always. Just sad I missed out on the illustrations.
The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was SO CLOSE to getting at least 4 stars and then...things happened.
I absolutely love how unique of a fantasy this is. There are vampire elves, magical beasts, evil bug aliens, and witches and somehow it all comes together so well. The world, magic, and plot beats are entertaining and intriguing, which makes up for the fact that the characters are a tad lacking. But here I need to rant.
We are going to talk about Noon, and I just can't with this character. I liked her alright in the beginning; Fell witches are really interesting beings, her particular back story is one I enjoyed learning, and it's fun to watch her for a while. The idea of her growing from scared and afraid to powerful and confident started so good but the final execution was so off. She didn't truly earn her abilities whatsoever.Noon went straight from being scared and nervous all the time to being super confident and competent because she accidentally sucked up just the right life force. Afterwards, her whole personality grated on my nerves. And then of course she gets the most powerful beast to fall from the tree? *Eye-roll*
Also. I'm not a big romance fan in stories unless I specifically pick up that genre, and the romance in this had me annoyed. There wasn't much, if any, chemistry and I didn't care for the whole "I can practically taste her blood when I think of her smile" stuff.
All that being said, I'm still interested in continuing the series at some point. This first book has possibly too obviously set up some of the major plot points to the later story, but I'm hopeful I would be surprised by a twist or two. Again, this is such a unique and interesting read, I'd tell most fantasy readers to give it a shot.
I absolutely love how unique of a fantasy this is. There are vampire elves, magical beasts, evil bug aliens, and witches and somehow it all comes together so well. The world, magic, and plot beats are entertaining and intriguing, which makes up for the fact that the characters are a tad lacking. But here I need to rant.
We are going to talk about Noon, and I just can't with this character. I liked her alright in the beginning; Fell witches are really interesting beings, her particular back story is one I enjoyed learning, and it's fun to watch her for a while. The idea of her growing from scared and afraid to powerful and confident started so good but the final execution was so off. She didn't truly earn her abilities whatsoever.
Also. I'm not a big romance fan in stories unless I specifically pick up that genre, and the romance in this had me annoyed. There wasn't much, if any, chemistry and I didn't care for the whole "I can practically taste her blood when I think of her smile" stuff.
All that being said, I'm still interested in continuing the series at some point. This first book has possibly too obviously set up some of the major plot points to the later story, but I'm hopeful I would be surprised by a twist or two. Again, this is such a unique and interesting read, I'd tell most fantasy readers to give it a shot.
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Read on Audio
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Machado has a good writing style and knows how to weave an intriguing story, but I didn't like the constant feeling of confusion and feeling like I would need to read a PhD level paper dissecting her work to understand most of it. It often felt like we were being weird just for the sake of being weird. I enjoyed The Husband Stitch, Inventory, Eight Bites, The Resident, and Difficult at Parties. The others were more on the "just ok" side for me.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked how this story is told in small little vignettes over the course of a year, and though the small little pieces of that year are often melancholy and grim, there's happiness and laughter too. I would definitely enjoy this more if I had a group to discuss the themes with, but this is a great little read none the less.
My rating comes from lack of punctuation, which I find makes certain passages more frustrating to parse through, though the other insists otherwise. Also, she let's her poetry background in with lots of little rhymes that I often found distracting.
My rating comes from lack of punctuation, which I find makes certain passages more frustrating to parse through, though the other insists otherwise. Also, she let's her poetry background in with lots of little rhymes that I often found distracting.