steepingnarratives's reviews
68 reviews

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

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funny reflective 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

3.5

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The Housemaid is a thrilling read with short chapters that make you want to keep turning the page. The story itself draws you in immediately. 

The first half was a bit too repetitive and could’ve done without some pages. Definitely could’ve also done without the constant fat phobia in the first half. The ending didn’t make too much sense, but I did like how it set up for the next book in the series. 

Overall The Housemaid is a fast and engrossing read. Curious to see how the rest of the series pans out. 
Piglet by Lottie Hazell

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dark emotional sad tense 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? It's complicated

3.5

Struggled with what to rate Piglet. On one hand I absolutely devoured this book and felt the main characters pain as her life was derailed. On the other hand though, never confirming Kits deal did bothered me so much. Overall a great read that will definitely crush you and probably make you hungry. 
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Acts of Desperation is an absolute gut punch.  The short chapters make the book incredibly easy to read and hard to put down. Intense, honest, and heartbreaking, I cried the last few chapters. Truly an insightful and emotional thriller. 
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

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dark funny 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? It's complicated

3.75

Personally Nightbitch was a booktok casualty for me where I saw so much about it..it kind of took away from the actual reading of it. 

That being said I truly appreciate Rachel Yoders take on the brutality of motherhood. Such a vile and fresh take that kept me turning pages. I do feel like because I’m not a mother I couldn’t connect. Unexpectedly good read though. 
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Kite Runner is an emotional and raw story of friendship, betrayal, and ultimately, redemption. The story itself is gripping with vivid characters you’ll love and hate. Absolutely remarkable story that will stay with you. While this book can be hard to read, I think it should be a must read at least once in your life. 

The line, “For you, a thousand times over” became one of my forever favorites. 
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

My twelve-year old obsessed with Greek mythology self would’ve eaten this series up. Such a fun adventure with great world building and characters. While I haven’t seen the film or new show, I could picture everything happening as I read making my own. 

I will at some point finish the series, but overall great first book. Major bonus points for the Hilary Duff, “So Yesterday” reference too. 
Chlorine by Jade Song

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Chlorine captivated me from the moment I started reading. The writing wasn’t my favorite, as it felt like it was trying a bit too hard, but the way it explored relationships, sexuality, societal pressures on women in such visceral way does deserve recognition. 

Also love that Jade Song included a page with trigger warnings as this book is heavy with them. Weird girl lit horror through and through. 
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

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dark emotional tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

Ushers by Joe Hill

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dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.0

A solid short story that wasn’t necessarily scary but a bit eerie and creepy. Loved the background we got all in under 30 pages.