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toastyghosty13's reviews
156 reviews
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Absolute chaos. Lesbian necromancers in space exploring a haunted gothic mansion is the quote on the front and it is correct and yet it is so much more. Think Agatha Christie "And Then There Were None". The humor is unexpected and unprecedented (I implore you to read the naming choice section at the end of the book too) and the characters are unique and psychotic.
The beginning is super confusing with all of the names of people and places thrown at you very quickly, but it is worth it! About 20%-30% of the way through it clicked for me.
I immediately bought the other books in both ebook and physical copy format as soon as I finished. The ending was givingBloodborne ascending and fear the old gods and I am OBSESSED .
For the Ninth.
The beginning is super confusing with all of the names of people and places thrown at you very quickly, but it is worth it! About 20%-30% of the way through it clicked for me.
I immediately bought the other books in both ebook and physical copy format as soon as I finished. The ending was giving
For the Ninth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. Fun way to get into Ali Hazelwood books that bridged the gap for me between romantasy to romance and her other works. I liked the 2 main characters a lot and even found the child character to not be annoying like I usually think. Good story and world building, and I liked the way the ending left off. Hoping that this ends up being a series and is not just a standalone!
We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese by Elizabeth M. Norman
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
This was a very difficult book to read because of the nature of the content being WW2 and recounting how the incredible women known as the Angels persevered and survived both in jungle outpost conditions and internment camps.
These women accomplished the most amazing things even while being affected by disease and injuries themselves. They cared so deeply for their patients and others and they did not receive the acknowledgement and recognition deserved. These women had an amazing story and this book helps to tell it, even if it does miss some of them due to a lot of them women passing away or unwilling to revisit the atrocities of the past.
These women accomplished the most amazing things even while being affected by disease and injuries themselves. They cared so deeply for their patients and others and they did not receive the acknowledgement and recognition deserved. These women had an amazing story and this book helps to tell it, even if it does miss some of them due to a lot of them women passing away or unwilling to revisit the atrocities of the past.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
This was a cool book that told the authors story of what it was like to work in a crematory. I could have done without some of the tangential info on Caitlins time living in a neighborhood where there were homeless people and how she started to have feelings with her friend, but everything else in this book was really cool to learn about.
Apparently, it is exceedingly difficult to get into the funeral home industry because it is a family practice that is often passed down, and you find yourself in the existential career cycle of "can't get a job because I need more experience but this job is the only way I can get more experience." This showed Caitlin's journey of breaking into the crematory business and the background of her fascination with the dead, and how she realized her hated for embalming. The people Caitlin work with are also funny and enjoyable to read about.
I would recommend this to anyone curious about cremation and processing the dead, but caution anyone that might be grossed out by bodily fluids.
Apparently, it is exceedingly difficult to get into the funeral home industry because it is a family practice that is often passed down, and you find yourself in the existential career cycle of "can't get a job because I need more experience but this job is the only way I can get more experience." This showed Caitlin's journey of breaking into the crematory business and the background of her fascination with the dead, and how she realized her hated for embalming. The people Caitlin work with are also funny and enjoyable to read about.
I would recommend this to anyone curious about cremation and processing the dead, but caution anyone that might be grossed out by bodily fluids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was so hyped for this book after Butcher and Blackbird and then so so SO let down. I was really excited to read more about the next duo in this trilogy, Lachlan and Lark after what bit I saw in B&B made me love them. I felt like what ended up showing was 2 characters that felt like they didn't have much chemistry for most of the book and then are inexplicably in love by the last 80%. I felt like it was rushed yet also too long.
The majority of the book was the slowest slow burn I have ever encountered, but there was such little "will they, won't they" that it felt like it was still them getting to know each other at a base level 75% of the way through. I feel like that whole chunk could have been shorter, while the last 20-25% could have been at least twice as long. I honestly forgot most of what has happened on the romance and plot of this book except for the bonus chapter scene, which shouldn't have been a bonus chapter this should have just been in the book because the romance was lacking for me too lol.
I wish that the author let it cook more, it felt rushed and a bit boring and I am honestly just sad about it after the absolute delight B&B was. Furthermore, this has scared me that the third book is coming out so soon. PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME WITH THESE!!!
The majority of the book was the slowest slow burn I have ever encountered, but there was such little "will they, won't they" that it felt like it was still them getting to know each other at a base level 75% of the way through. I feel like that whole chunk could have been shorter, while the last 20-25% could have been at least twice as long. I honestly forgot most of what has happened on the romance and plot of this book
I wish that the author let it cook more, it felt rushed and a bit boring and I am honestly just sad about it after the absolute delight B&B was. Furthermore, this has scared me that the third book is coming out so soon. PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME WITH THESE!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.75
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I think it tired and had a cool premise, but I ultimately just felt bored with the main character Yeeran and felt Lettle was annoying but otherwise enjoyed her and actually found her interesting.
I often found myself asking the question "why should I care about any of this?"
I found the lore behind the drums lacking. I wish we learned a lot more about the connection between the animals that the fae bind with to gain their magical powers. I forget the name and am not going to look it up (it was similar to the blue people avatar but if their connections with the animal tied their lives together, so if one dies the other dies). This dynamic was by far the most interesting part of the book to me besides the idea of some hidden fae society that has not been seen for centuries. Another disappointment is that apparently the long extinct humans in this world were more powerful because they were the ultimate magic users. Usually fantasy books make humans weaksauce (as they should tbh) so this was met with disappointment for me, and then compounded when I find out they don't exist anymore to delve deeper into that.
I do wish that I liked this book, especially with how beautiful the cover is. The idea for the main plot is interesting and so is the setting and even some of the characters, but I never felt like it clicked or captivated me. It is hard to describe a book as being "bad" when I am rating it subjectively on its ability to engage me as it can be difficult to put into words. I think this book is still worth a try reading because there are so many people that do enjoy it, but maybe go into it with low expectations.
Still better than House of Flame and Shadow though lmao
I often found myself asking the question "why should I care about any of this?"
I found the lore behind the drums lacking. I wish we learned a lot more about the connection between
I do wish that I liked this book, especially with how beautiful the cover is. The idea for the main plot is interesting and so is the setting and even some of the characters, but I never felt like it clicked or captivated me. It is hard to describe a book as being "bad" when I am rating it subjectively on its ability to engage me as it can be difficult to put into words. I think this book is still worth a try reading because there are so many people that do enjoy it, but maybe go into it with low expectations.
Still better than House of Flame and Shadow though lmao
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, and War
Silver Bullet by Colette Rhodes
dark
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
This proved again that this series is more than I expected it to be. I like that each book focuses on another one of Grace's soul bonds and gives the space to learn more about each one specifically while also learning more about Grace and the overarching lore behind the chaos that is happening. I am not as much of a fun of Bullet as I am of Riot (I CAN'T with the show tunes imsrybutnotrly) but I do still hope that there is more to the lore behind him being an Oneroi (sp?).
Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.5
This was very informative on women in greek mythology, and how their stories have shifted and have been manipulated over time. I found that a lot of the known stereotypes of these stories have shifted to be negative towards the women, when their actions tended to be justified once explained by Natalie Haynes. One of these that stood out to me was Pandora with her jar. Pandora was the one suffering here, but she gets the bad reputation.
I will probably reread this in the future. I did find parts of it to be a bit too slow but that probably has more to do with my ability to read "history" books and dryer material. Despite this comment, the author did do an amazing job turning the analyses of these myths into something narrative.
I will probably reread this in the future. I did find parts of it to be a bit too slow but that probably has more to do with my ability to read "history" books and dryer material. Despite this comment, the author did do an amazing job turning the analyses of these myths into something narrative.
Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I loved seeing this crossover between the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society. This took some of the more major characters and had them work together to stop some bad guys. Very fun story, love the extra material. Ally Carter did not have to give us this but she did and I am here for it.
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? No
3.5
Fun 2nd installment of the Heist Society series. I loved seeing Kat and crew again, they are all such great loveable characters. I liked how this one started off with a pretty big plot twist, since it was unexpected and was a good way to keep it interesting. This made it feel like it deviated a bit from the last book of "commit heist to return items to rightful owners". While it still had this theme, the variety made it stand out and prevent it from feeling like a templated book, where you just change the names and locations but it is overall the same. I love that Ally Carter was able to do this, and I sincerely hope she revisits this series in the future!!