whatellisreadnext's reviews
617 reviews

Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

4.0

It's hard to explain the feeling of these books. They're cosy whilst also being so fascinating. The stakes are extremely high, I'm talking the humans fighting back against Elves they once thought were Gods. The characterisation is so vivid that you can't help but become attached to everyone. This is book three of six of The First Empire, but the ending to the first trilogy. The beauty of them is how easy they are to follow, so if you're looking to get into high fantasy, grab yourself Age of Myth, you won't regret it💃
Bad Graces by Kyrie McCauley

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

3.0

This is the book I needed as a teenager to open up the weird little reader in me. I would have eaten this up. The grossness was much appreciated by adult me, but there was a lot that irked me about Bad Graces. I wish the narrative had been more vague, I wish they'd each had a unique voice, I wish they'd just bloody talked to each other, teenagers are infuriating. There were some solid ideas here, but it felt a lot like plot over substance. House of Hollow is a prime example of YA Horror/Thriller done right, but this had a major disconnect from the horrifying context to the dialogue that felt too light. I would still recommend it if you're looking for a weird little YA book to drag you out of a slump. 
A Manual for How to Love Us by Erin Slaughter

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Let's just not even talk about it. The writing just didn't work for me, it felt overwritten and quite cringey in parts. The Dragging Route was the one story I enjoyed, just because it was the most speculative of the bunch. I don't understand the point of this collection, but I hope someone gets something out of it.
Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was just what I needed, a nice fun, engaging, and easy read when my mind was exhausted. I do wish the story had explored Cassia's power to see the dead more, but also, I felt it ended really quickly. Maybe I would have preferred a trilogy or duology? And a bit more development? I'm not sure, but I enjoyed it for what it was and would recommend it if you need to rest your brain. It's also pretty gross, which we know I love 💁🏻‍♀️
The Mark by Fríða Ísberg

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dark reflective medium-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

3.0

There are as many things this book did well as it lacked. That is why I've landed where I have landed rating wise. But the stuff that was good was really good. Fríða's characterisation is what shines throughout this whole narrative. She gave every single point of view such a unique voice. I also really enjoyed the discourse on politics and disagreements amongst friends, family, and strangers, especially how she pulled this from her own discussions with her father. The things that didn't connect for me were the ways in which empathy and the test were defined. I found it hard to believe such a thing could exist and be policed. Some of the people failing didn't seem right to me either, but perhaps this was the point. I think I was just expecting the test side of it to be a lot more interesting. With all this in mind, I would definitely read from this author again. Thank you again to Faber for the gifted copy.
My Men by Victoria Kielland

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dark 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? Yes

4.0

This should be required reading for men, just so they leave us alone. They could do with a little fear 🤣 I kid, I kid, but that's what I do when things get dark and uncomfortable. What I loved most about this audiobook was how I didn't even realise things had turned fully sinister until we were in the trenches. You know what's coming, but I remember yelling 'she did whatttt' to my empty house whilst I was cleaning the loo. Master story telling about a very interesting and completely deranged woman.
Though the Bodies Fall by Noel O'Regan

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dark emotional reflective 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

Wowee. Way to end a book like that 🫠 Though the Bodies Fall was my favourite type of story, bittersweet and human. The story follows Micheál Burns, who lives in his family bungalow at the edge of Ireland. His life has always been burdened by the fact that this beautiful picturesque spot is also a suicide spot. Plagued by 'visitors' he is forced to talk down from the ledge, again and again. I loved how O'Regan told this story bouncing between past, present, and future, switching when the time called for some more information from one of the three. It worked effortlessly. Would recommend to fans of Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy and anything by Claire Keegan. 
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck

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

5.0

Finishing this book at the beginning of my day was a mistake, I could cry. I won't say too much as this is a little over 100 pages, but the story follows a man who ends up in hell. His version of hell is the library of babel, and he must find his life story amongst the stacks in order to get to heaven. It was fascinating and scary. Reminding me a little of The Good Place mixed with I Who Have Never Known Men, just that endless searching for something. Would recommend to anyone and everyone. 
Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

 I read this entire thing in one day. It's safe to say I am obsessed with how Molly brought Alice Kyteler to life. Historical fiction books rooted in real people or events are becoming a favourite subgenre of mine, and this ticked all the boxes.

Yes, Alice Kyteler was condemned as a witch, but I want to make it very clear that this book has nothing to do with witches. We follow her through the years as she makes a name for herself, becoming a successful business owner and having many an admirer. Morally grey characters are my absolute favourite. I loved Alice, but my gosh, did she do some very questionable things👀 

I just wanted to touch on the fact that the writing style took me by surprise at first, but I soon settled into the narrative, and then I couldn't read it quick enough. There are town gossip chapters scattered throughout the book, and I love how these added another layer to the story. It felt very reminiscent of books I've loved previously in narrative style, like The Wall and I Who Have Never Known Men, and one for lovers of historical literary fiction like The Dance Tree and Cursed Bread.

Thank you so much to Canongate and Molly for my gifted early copy. Bright I Burn is out now!
Walking Practice by Dolki Min

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adventurous dark funny reflective 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

I'm a sucker for a translated novel with commentary on society, especially sexuality and gender. This scratched that itch, whilst also being hilarious. We follow an alien who crash lands on earth and now uses dating sites to meet people, sleep with them, and eat them 💁🏻‍♀️ what a ride