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takarakei's reviews
521 reviews
Cross the Line by Simone Soltani
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The plot was kinda cookie cutter. While I didn't really connect with either MC, I did appreciate the disability rep for Willow as it seemed to be handled with care!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity
The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
YOOOOOOO What the f did she put in this book!??! This was by DEF my favorite of the series so far [this might also be fueled by my recent obsession with the tv series which is why I decided to actually continue reading the books]
Lestat is iconic as always
We got some new female rage characters (praise!)
Really enjoyed the expanded world building from prev books
I honestly couldn't put it down!
-.5 star just for some slow parts, if you've read the first two books you know how Anne can go on a bit too long...which she did do a bit less in this
Lestat is iconic as always
We got some new female rage characters (praise!)
Really enjoyed the expanded world building from prev books
I honestly couldn't put it down!
-.5 star just for some slow parts, if you've read the first two books you know how Anne can go on a bit too long...which she did do a bit less in this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Genocide, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, and Death of parent
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Did I listen to this mainly cause Teddy Hamilton narrated? Yes.
I really struggle with insta-attraction as a starting point for a romance, like they meet in a bar and are then kissing in the back of said bar without really much conversation? idk it's not my vibe
But I did like where the romance went ultimately, I thought Ada's journey back to love after being in an awful borderline abusive marriage was well done. I super loved how supportive Wes was and how he helped her on said journey. Also appreciated Wes being a character with depression who openly talks about it.
I really struggle with insta-attraction as a starting point for a romance, like they meet in a bar and are then kissing in the back of said bar without really much conversation? idk it's not my vibe
But I did like where the romance went ultimately, I thought Ada's journey back to love after being in an awful borderline abusive marriage was well done. I super loved how supportive Wes was and how he helped her on said journey. Also appreciated Wes being a character with depression who openly talks about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Gaslighting
all toxic/emotional abuse is from Ada's prior marriage
My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I didn't like this quite as much as the first book. Fake dating is also not my trope of choice. I think I just felt like I enjoyed the characters and setup of the first book more. But if you're a fan of the first book you might like this! who knows
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
the MC's parents really don't treat her super nicely, like in a passive aggressive way, they are for some reason not proud of their daughter...
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
The storytelling style is very unique and unlike anything I've read before. You'll know by the first ~50 pages whether it's for you or it's not. I will say I would not recommend reading this exclusively on audiobook because there aren't really chapters, the pov changes frequently, and there are interjections from random people that are just italicized to indicate their thoughts. The physical text, the way it's printed helps a lot with comprehending what's going on. Despite all of that once I got into a rhythm with the unique style of storytelling I did get used to it and even enjoy it.
However, I did feel like this book really leaned on that storytelling style and there were some things lacking from the world building. I don't enjoy when magic isn't really explained (like being a god just gives you ultimate power? ok...well that's kinda lazy imo). The pacing of the plot is also a little all over the place. It meanders in parts, but then has really great sections that are super engaging. The final 'conflict' really did kinda throw me for a loop which I think came back to a bit of lacking in the world building and it felt like we got a lot of explanations at the end because they had to be included for it to remotely make sense.
I did really enjoy our central two characters Keema & Jun, and their journey/relationship. So the very very end resolution with them was satisfying.
Overall I'm glad I read it for the experience! I don't think this book is for everyone, but is worth a try if you're looking for a really unique standalone fantasy.
However, I did feel like this book really leaned on that storytelling style and there were some things lacking from the world building. I don't enjoy when magic isn't really explained (like being a god just gives you ultimate power? ok...well that's kinda lazy imo). The pacing of the plot is also a little all over the place. It meanders in parts, but then has really great sections that are super engaging. The final 'conflict' really did kinda throw me for a loop which I think came back to a bit of lacking in the world building and it felt like we got a lot of explanations at the end because they had to be included for it to remotely make sense.
I did really enjoy our central two characters Keema & Jun, and their journey/relationship. So the very very end resolution with them was satisfying.
Overall I'm glad I read it for the experience! I don't think this book is for everyone, but is worth a try if you're looking for a really unique standalone fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Blood, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Trafficking
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m not a big thriller reader, but I was in the mood for one and this one came recommended by a friend. It’s told in two time periods: the past when this group of friends is in college, and about 10 years later they return for a class reunion, but the premise is that when they were in college one of the friends was murdered and the case was never solved.
I liked that it’s dark academia (adjacent maybe) because the main character Jessica’s motivations are about doing well in school, being in the best sorority, being popular etc - it’s more like she is part of this elite group and so puts a lot of pressure on herself to fit in and do well. I felt like her characterization was the best developed, the backstory of her father’s struggles really informs Jessica’s actions throughout the book. "Parents can really f up their kids" is what I kept thinking 💀
I found a few of the other people in her friend group to be a little hard to differentiate - maybe that’s cause I did audio, but the girls especially felt interchangeable (maybe that’s intentional?). Also like no one in the book is a good person, so if you like reading about morally gray characters you might be into this too.
Overall I enjoyed this! Would recommend
I liked that it’s dark academia (adjacent maybe) because the main character Jessica’s motivations are about doing well in school, being in the best sorority, being popular etc - it’s more like she is part of this elite group and so puts a lot of pressure on herself to fit in and do well. I felt like her characterization was the best developed, the backstory of her father’s struggles really informs Jessica’s actions throughout the book. "Parents can really f up their kids" is what I kept thinking 💀
I found a few of the other people in her friend group to be a little hard to differentiate - maybe that’s cause I did audio, but the girls especially felt interchangeable (maybe that’s intentional?). Also like no one in the book is a good person, so if you like reading about morally gray characters you might be into this too.
Overall I enjoyed this! Would recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia and Homophobia
Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
While this is not my fav of the series, it did still make me ugly cry so... yeah still gets 5 stars
Can't wait for Wind and Truth *screamingcryingthrowingup*
Can't wait for Wind and Truth *screamingcryingthrowingup*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction and Slavery
Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is 90% smut and if you're into that you'll probably love it, like it starts on page 2. For me, I need a bit more other things going on besides literally constant sex for it to not become monotonous. But now I know that! I do think the poly relationship is done fairly well (maybe a tad too much jealousy at the beginning, but they seemed to grow out of it).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Emotional abuse
MC's father def emotionally/physically abused her as a child which is mentioned multiple times.
Nectar of the Wicked by Ella Fields
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Things I did not like:
- insta attraction (the MC has to do sex work *for reasons* and her first ever client is a fae king)
- about 40-50% in a plot thing happens which adds more *angst* but I wish we'd just started there
- there's literally a line where he says she's not allowed to masturbate??
- 20 year old fae go through this 'fever' where they just need to bone for like 4 days straight. no further context given.
- once they finally do it she bleeds (cause of course she's a 'virgin') and it's mentioned in detail, like this girl is 20 years old can we please not
- the fae were like drinking blood? is this a thing? why??
- the way it ends
implies she is going to be punished for running away, in a *sexy way* and I just can't!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism and War
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Neutral:
What I think could've been improved:
In the end I do think this book is worth a read if you're a dark academia fan. I just don't think it's the best thing I've ever read.
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ok I have mixed feelings about this. Preface: I finally read an arc I had from the self-published version, so I don't know how much/if any editing was done since it's now being trad published. I hope they did, because I think there is a lot of potential here! Also, I have read this author's other book Sword of Kaigen and was in the minority of people who didn't like it, so I went in with some heavy skepticism.
What I liked:
What I liked:
- As one of THE biggest Babel fans out there, this had similar vibes. They are still VERY different books (and this doesn't even touch Babel on many levels), but yes I've seen the comparison and I do think it's generally appropriate.
- This is a good dark academia book, and those elements were done really well. I liked that the magical school setting was more like a graduate/research setting. Definitely set this apart from many university set dark academias I've read.
- The world building was interesting and unique. Wanting to learn more about it kept me reading. Related to that there's a mysterious nature to the first half of the book as Sciona and Thomil unravel things. And when those things start to come to light it's definitely a page turner.
- I think the commentary this book is making on real-world-issues is very apt and important, and is also done well.
Neutral:
- There is quite a bit of brutal, gruesome and disturbing things that happen right from the get-go (and even more later on in the book) so just be aware.
What I think could've been improved:
- Once the main 'reveal' happens I think we spent too much time with Sciona's hand-wringing and reckoning with what to do. Like yes, it's shocking and world changing, but at a certain point I just needed her to get on with it. I felt myself just wanting the ending to come.
- But then the actual climax/ending of the book happens super fast, and also very late in the book (like at 90% in I checked to make sure this was a standalone) and that didn't leave enough time for any resolution. After I finished I still had a LOT of logistical questions about how this world goes forward. This unfortunately was also my issue with Sword of Kaigen...
- So generally there were some pacing issues.
In the end I do think this book is worth a read if you're a dark academia fan. I just don't think it's the best thing I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Cannibalism