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amy_reading_23's reviews
95 reviews
Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
This book is an interesting one, and it definitley got me thinking. It doesn't have much of a plot but is more like a slice of life. Its about a trans vampire archivist falling in love with another queer person whilst also working through depression and questioning the liminality between life and death.
It reads more like experimental literary fiction than fantasy - the vampirism is used as a metaphor for chronic illness, living in a trans body, and being othered. If you are questioning your gender or identity then there are definitley bits of this books that can feel quite affirming. Overall it is quite a challenging book though, I wouldn't read it just for fun, but there were elements I liked.
It reads more like experimental literary fiction than fantasy - the vampirism is used as a metaphor for chronic illness, living in a trans body, and being othered. If you are questioning your gender or identity then there are definitley bits of this books that can feel quite affirming. Overall it is quite a challenging book though, I wouldn't read it just for fun, but there were elements I liked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Magical Midlife Madness by K.F. Breene
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book was just so much fun, it's really refreshing to see a chosen one fiction with older characters. I loved the grouchy Mr Tom and Niamh and their dynamic, I loved Edgar and Austin and just all the characters are great. But mostly I just loved Jessie's confidence with herself and the positive view of aging. It wasn't perfect, and there were a few moments of fat phobia I could have done without, but I gave it 5 stars for how much I enjoyed it and I will be looking at getting the next books in the series!
The Other Ones by Fran Hart
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book made me cry in a good way ❤️ its just so cute! 🎃
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
It's a good book, but I found it a little slow at times and would have loved to have more out of it. In some ways it is similar to the movie but in other ways quite different so definitley keeps you guessing!
Double Dead by Chuck Wendig
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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? Yes
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this book! It finally answers the question of what would happen to a vampire in the zombie apocalypse. I loved the character of Coburn, idk he's just funny, he's not really what you could call a good person, but his arc is really interesting and overall just a good character. If you love vampires like I do, I think you'd enjoy his story.
There are some bits that are disturbing and pretty unhinged but I think that's to be expected with horror. There is some not great language used, although since the main character is not meant to be 100% likeable I think thats to eb expected too. Overall I am really glad I read it and honestly wish there was a sequel.
There are some bits that are disturbing and pretty unhinged but I think that's to be expected with horror. There is some not great language used, although since the main character is not meant to be 100% likeable I think thats to eb expected too. Overall I am really glad I read it and honestly wish there was a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Palace of the Damned by Darren Shan
adventurous
I enjoyed the book overall, it wasn't my favourite in the series though and I didn't like the blatant fatphobia about one if the characters.
Brothers to the Death by Darren Shan
adventurous
emotional
funny
3.75
I enjoyed these books a lot more than I thought I would. I would have given them higher ratings but sadly we only get snapshots into Crepsley's life and I would have preffered it be more fleshed out. But I enjoyed the themes that came up in them - depression, figuring out your path, making mistakes, redemption. There were a few moments that really spoke to me, and overall I had fun reading them.
Ocean of Blood by Darren Shan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
3.75
This book actually had one of my favourite endings for a vampire story. I enjoyed it a lot!
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
The ending was actually my favourite bit and I feel all emotional after just finishing it! This was a good book with an interesting concept at its core. I think Julian was actually my favourite character, with his unbound energy and fierce love for his friends. I enjoyed all the references to latinx culture and learning more about it. I would have given the book more stars but the majority of the book is a bit slow paced and can make it hard to get into. This was my second time attempting to read it. Still, I enjoyed the narratives and the characters and will never say no to a queer paranormal romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This book is as dark as it is beautiful. I enjoyed the descriptions and the main character's connection to nature. It's a shame though, I think this novel could have been a lot longer. Parts of it definitely felt rushed, especially the ending. The end didn't feel satisfying or fitting for the sisters' journey.
I also wouldn't really say it's a vampire book as the vampires don't come into it until the very end. It's more of a historical novel about two sisters trying to survive tyranny and hardship.
Something that concerns me is I am not aware if the author is a traveller or has consulted with travellers for sensitivity reading. The community seemed to be portrayed well to me, however I know this community has a lot of closed practises and as someone who is not a traveller myself I can't really say whether the representation is accurate or not.
Overall though it was a good book, just be prepared that is is very dark and has a lot of triggering and sad bits.
I wasn't really surprised by Kizzy's decision at the end, I found her character pretty arrogant and annoying, but still I'm sad her sister joined her instead of joining Mira. I didn't feel like her and Mira's relationship was as rushed as others said, I think they had a spark from the beginning and there were definitley signs leading up to it.
I also wouldn't really say it's a vampire book as the vampires don't come into it until the very end. It's more of a historical novel about two sisters trying to survive tyranny and hardship.
Something that concerns me is I am not aware if the author is a traveller or has consulted with travellers for sensitivity reading. The community seemed to be portrayed well to me, however I know this community has a lot of closed practises and as someone who is not a traveller myself I can't really say whether the representation is accurate or not.
Overall though it was a good book, just be prepared that is is very dark and has a lot of triggering and sad bits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery and Vomit