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theblacklodgebookshelf's reviews
540 reviews
My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
This was exactly what was promised – a dark, folklore rich, creepy forest vibe horror, whilst simultaneously exploring the perils and double standards of living in a strict Christian community as a young woman.
I thought it was really interesting to learn that the author wrote this at the time Roe Vs Wade was being overturned in the US, and this just adds another level to what is already an emotional and haunting book.
Ultimately however, I wanted more. The romance was a bit of a hard sell for me and felt very convenient. The twists were a little obvious too, but it was nevertheless enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Murder
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
challenging
dark
tense
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
It is extremely hard to review this book without massive spoilers. So what I will say, is that overall I am really satisfied with how this ended. Spook & Sazed in particular, had such an amazing journey in this book.
Do I think that some things could have been tweaked slightly for greater emotional impact? Yes, definitely. Were there characters that felt underutilised? Also yes. But at this point in my Sanderson journey, I trust him and his decisions.
An amazing end to a trilogy that every fantasy fan should read.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
4.5 stars
Ali Hazelwood does it again.
There’s something about the way she writes that I just love.
If you take a look through my reading history on here, you’ll see that I’m very familiar with the Omegaverse genre, so I was equal parts shocked/thrilled when I saw the tropes Hazelwood posted whilst promoting this. This is actually part of why this isn’t a 5 star for me (very close though) as I was hoping for a little more in this regard?
Regardless, this was a fun read that I inhaled in pretty much a day and is a great introduction to the shifter/monster/ABO sub- genre of romance.
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I could not get into this at all. I’m so annoyed as the premise sounds like something I would usually love, but I just didn’t vibe with it.
I think the world building could have been explained a bit better – I found it very confusing to follow and clunky. I didn’t like any of the characters very much either.
Overall a bit disappointing.
Poster Girl by Veronica Roth
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
4 stars
I am not a dystopia girlie, but I was in need of a palate cleanser and had received this book in a subscription box.
I enjoyed this so much more than I expected to. The writing was incredibly engaging and succinct. At just under 300pgs this was a fast read, and I was so impressed with how the author managed to make me care so much in a short amount of time.
The world building was clever and nuanced. I loved the direction (especially the ending) that the plot took and thought it reflected Sonya’s journey perfectly.