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bkwrm1317's reviews
213 reviews
The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
Completed judge review for Indie Ink on 3.28.24.
The following is a personal review, and does not reflect judging for Indie Ink 2024 judging I completed:
This was a really interesting novel, although there were odd breaks in the progress of the overall story arc as the protagonist went from one place (geographically) to another. This created a slightly disjointed/jarring reader experience for me, and also made the pacing feel slower than it would have otherwise, I think. I'd suggest the pacing of the novel is slow/medium, with some sections more solidly in each category.
The world building, magic system, and overall story was distinctive, if not unique. I wasn't particularly compelled by the use of Spanish words/how they were integrated - it didn't feel as thoughtful as some other Latine bilingual authors' works are in their use of English and Spanish words.
The end of the novel represents a fairly unsatisfying cliffhanger for me personally, as a reader, but would likely feel more compelling for other readers.
All CWs as mild, as there is either a brief/not emotionally intense engagement in the text with the CW, or it is threatened/mentioned, but not done (e.g. sexual harassment rather than sexual violence, as it was a verbal threat towards the protagonist, but not one that was carried through or anywhere near that).
The following is a personal review, and does not reflect judging for Indie Ink 2024 judging I completed:
This was a really interesting novel, although there were odd breaks in the progress of the overall story arc as the protagonist went from one place (geographically) to another. This created a slightly disjointed/jarring reader experience for me, and also made the pacing feel slower than it would have otherwise, I think. I'd suggest the pacing of the novel is slow/medium, with some sections more solidly in each category.
The world building, magic system, and overall story was distinctive, if not unique. I wasn't particularly compelled by the use of Spanish words/how they were integrated - it didn't feel as thoughtful as some other Latine bilingual authors' works are in their use of English and Spanish words.
The end of the novel represents a fairly unsatisfying cliffhanger for me personally, as a reader, but would likely feel more compelling for other readers.
All CWs as mild, as there is either a brief/not emotionally intense engagement in the text with the CW, or it is threatened/mentioned, but not done (e.g. sexual harassment rather than sexual violence, as it was a verbal threat towards the protagonist, but not one that was carried through or anywhere near that).
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death, Blood, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
I generally don’t enjoy short stories, but do like anthologies a bit more sometimes. I found so many new authors whose work I want to read here and thoroughly enjoyed near all of these dark fiction short stories.
Please do note CWs as there are a number to be aware of, and that shift from story to story.
Please do note CWs as there are a number to be aware of, and that shift from story to story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Abandonment, and Colonisation
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
This second installment of The Thursday Murder Club was just as solid as the first. Love Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, and their fellow pensioners. Donna, Chris, Patrice, Bogdan, and others liven up the pages and bring humor and insight into this mystery as it unfolds.
I loved getting to know a bit more about Elizabeth's time in MI5, and entering that world a bit more with her and her friends. I'll be looking out for the next novels in the series.
I loved getting to know a bit more about Elizabeth's time in MI5, and entering that world a bit more with her and her friends. I'll be looking out for the next novels in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Crimson Reign by Amélie Wen Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A story of friendship, hope, courage, and adventure, Crimson Reign wraps up the Blood Heir trilogy súper solidly and cleanly.
We catch up with our main cast of characters over time at the beginning of the novel, and eventually get updated and adventures for the whole gang, converging on finding a particular artifact that can reverse the tide of Ana’s conflict with her aunt Morganya, who hopes to wield great power for herself only.
Character dev is stronger for some characters than others in this final book of the trilogy, and some of their flaws are examined (stubbornness, the desire to not let the people we love possibly be hurt, and much more).
I love that Ana realized the people are who should make decisions about their lives and futures.
Elements of romance, but no smut, and not a main focus of the novel. Some violence and gore (it is war, after all). Magic system doesn’t feel entirely unique but there are elements that are different/unique to the world built by Wen Zhao.
We catch up with our main cast of characters over time at the beginning of the novel, and eventually get updated and adventures for the whole gang, converging on finding a particular artifact that can reverse the tide of Ana’s conflict with her aunt Morganya, who hopes to wield great power for herself only.
Character dev is stronger for some characters than others in this final book of the trilogy, and some of their flaws are examined (stubbornness, the desire to not let the people we love possibly be hurt, and much more).
I love that Ana realized the people are who should make decisions about their lives and futures.
Elements of romance, but no smut, and not a main focus of the novel. Some violence and gore (it is war, after all). Magic system doesn’t feel entirely unique but there are elements that are different/unique to the world built by Wen Zhao.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Xenophobia
The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
3.5
I really loved the world building of this novel and how entrenched in NOLA it is.
The pacing was incredibly hard for me though (felt slow paced, given all the action that was happening), and I found myself wishing for some way to truncate.
The songs-as-characters magic and the ways in which tagging and other art forms were powerful magic represent a unique magic system I absolutely loved, though.
The pacing was incredibly hard for me though (felt slow paced, given all the action that was happening), and I found myself wishing for some way to truncate.
The songs-as-characters magic and the ways in which tagging and other art forms were powerful magic represent a unique magic system I absolutely loved, though.
Ashes of Gold by J. Elle
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
In this wrap of the duology, Ashes of Gold takes place near exclusively in Ghizon.
While there were some really great elements to this duology’s close, I felt often distracted and frustrated by the over emphasis on Rue’s being hard on herself and being self-critical while she found her inner strength and trust in herself.
This certainly won’t bother all readers, but hence my giving this book a 3 star rating. Elle’s ties to Houston and the Third Ward are part of what put me onto this series, so their not being present much (East Row crew) in this close to the duology was a bit of a disappointment, even if some folks were more present in this novel (Julius, etc).
Finally, as a reader I felt dissatisfied by the resolution of Jhamal’s dishonesty and complications in the plot, given so much of the novel was dedicated to Rue and Jhamal’s being stuck in a prison cell and Jhamal’s nursing Rue back to health.
While there were some really great elements to this duology’s close, I felt often distracted and frustrated by the over emphasis on Rue’s being hard on herself and being self-critical while she found her inner strength and trust in herself.
This certainly won’t bother all readers, but hence my giving this book a 3 star rating. Elle’s ties to Houston and the Third Ward are part of what put me onto this series, so their not being present much (East Row crew) in this close to the duology was a bit of a disappointment, even if some folks were more present in this novel (Julius, etc).
Finally, as a reader I felt dissatisfied by the resolution of Jhamal’s dishonesty and complications in the plot, given so much of the novel was dedicated to Rue and Jhamal’s being stuck in a prison cell and Jhamal’s nursing Rue back to health.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Equal parts dark Poe-esque gothic The Fall of the House of Usher and Moreno-Garcia nostalgic Mexican Gothic, but with a bright zinging splash of British wit and humor, this novella is a delight.
Mycology and how another species might interpret the signals in human bodies as relate to vision, speech, and more is what this novella centers on, via reflections on the after effects of war, creepy environs, and a house that’s falling apart, alongside some creepy hares who drag their bodies to and fro while staring at the protagonist. Throw in an aspiring woman scientist pissed at 1890s male scientific society, and you have a witty, gothic, very solid novella.
Mycology and how another species might interpret the signals in human bodies as relate to vision, speech, and more is what this novella centers on, via reflections on the after effects of war, creepy environs, and a house that’s falling apart, alongside some creepy hares who drag their bodies to and fro while staring at the protagonist. Throw in an aspiring woman scientist pissed at 1890s male scientific society, and you have a witty, gothic, very solid novella.
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Absolutely loved the descriptions of the landscapes of what is now south Texas.
A unique take on the vampire as beast/creature, rather than human beings turned to vampires as the more common take. The vampires of this novel are used and abused by the Texas Rangers in their pursuit of what is today South Texas/Northern Mexico.
Some minor/general novel arc spoilers below, so read with that in mind:
Nena and Néstor's struggles to overcome their own fear and shame in order to let their love flourish felt extremely real and well-executed by the author. I loved reading their story, as well as Nena's arc of finding her voice, getting out from under the thumb of her emotionally abusive father and manipulative mother, who are more about appearances and keeping up with the Joneses than their eldest daughter's needs or happiness.
Néstor realizing Nena is stronger when he supports her/that with his support she can face down literal monsters and can match him for bravery in that way is such a powerful moment in their character arcs.
I just really loved this one - it's another of those novels that felt like it was written just for me.
A unique take on the vampire as beast/creature, rather than human beings turned to vampires as the more common take. The vampires of this novel are used and abused by the Texas Rangers in their pursuit of what is today South Texas/Northern Mexico.
Some minor/general novel arc spoilers below, so read with that in mind:
Nena and Néstor's struggles to overcome their own fear and shame in order to let their love flourish felt extremely real and well-executed by the author. I loved reading their story, as well as Nena's arc of finding her voice, getting out from under the thumb of her emotionally abusive father and manipulative mother, who are more about appearances and keeping up with the Joneses than their eldest daughter's needs or happiness.
Néstor realizing Nena is stronger when he supports her/that with his support she can face down literal monsters and can match him for bravery in that way is such a powerful moment in their character arcs.
I just really loved this one - it's another of those novels that felt like it was written just for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, and Gaslighting
Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not sure why, but book 2 just didn’t hit the same for me. I think some of this was how much the reader is bounced around - it’s a bit too disjointed for my taste and turned me off the series unfortunately, as I no longer feel invested.
Timeline jumps, protagonists are separated so jumping between their perspectives in current timeline, just is too much imo. Still decent, but lost my taste for the series.
Timeline jumps, protagonists are separated so jumping between their perspectives in current timeline, just is too much imo. Still decent, but lost my taste for the series.
Wings of Ebony by J. Elle
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
What a fierce young femme protag we have in Rue, who shows up for her people, no matter the personal cost or risk.
When Rue’s mom is killed, she is whisked away by a father who she’s never known to a strange land called Ghizon, where there’s magic, and only one other Black or Brown face - Aasim, the man she doesn’t even want to speak to, let alone bond with.
As Rue learns more about Ghizon, Aasim, and her own ancestry, she is tasked with fighting back against 100+ years of her peoples’ subjugation - on East Row in Houston, as well as in Ghizon. Tough as nails, street-wise and funny, tender hearted and loving, Rue is absolutely the type of heroine we need in these times.
When Rue’s mom is killed, she is whisked away by a father who she’s never known to a strange land called Ghizon, where there’s magic, and only one other Black or Brown face - Aasim, the man she doesn’t even want to speak to, let alone bond with.
As Rue learns more about Ghizon, Aasim, and her own ancestry, she is tasked with fighting back against 100+ years of her peoples’ subjugation - on East Row in Houston, as well as in Ghizon. Tough as nails, street-wise and funny, tender hearted and loving, Rue is absolutely the type of heroine we need in these times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Racism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment