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caseythereader's reviews
1756 reviews
Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Thanks to Dutton Books for the free copy of this book.
- THIRST is a vampire novel split between two time periods and perspectives: the first from the vampire herself at the turn of the century, and the second from a modern day woman unknowingly releasing the vampire back into the world.
- I loved the writing style of this book. It felt like reading a classic novel, with a deep sense of foreboding draped over it.
- I had a hard time feeling invested in the plot though, and the reason why clicked for me when the vampire said that nothing she does has any sense or logic to it. And you could feel that: everything very transparently happened because the plot needed it to happen.
- Conversely, I also wish it had been longer. I wanted to dig deeper into the modern woman’s confused attraction to the vampire.
- I hope Yuszczuk gets more novels translated into English. This felt like a pretty fresh take on vampires, which is hard to do, and I’d love to read more of her work.
- THIRST is a vampire novel split between two time periods and perspectives: the first from the vampire herself at the turn of the century, and the second from a modern day woman unknowingly releasing the vampire back into the world.
- I loved the writing style of this book. It felt like reading a classic novel, with a deep sense of foreboding draped over it.
- I had a hard time feeling invested in the plot though, and the reason why clicked for me when the vampire said that nothing she does has any sense or logic to it. And you could feel that: everything very transparently happened because the plot needed it to happen.
- Conversely, I also wish it had been longer. I wanted to dig deeper into the modern woman’s confused attraction to the vampire.
- I hope Yuszczuk gets more novels translated into English. This felt like a pretty fresh take on vampires, which is hard to do, and I’d love to read more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Slavery, Blood, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual content
This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Thanks to Crown Publishing for the free copy of this book.
- THIS AMERICAN EX-WIFE is a manifesto. Lenz comes in hot and never lets up throughout the entire book, blending her personal story with statistics and the stories of other women to build a case that divorce is good, actually.
- I’m still trying to work out how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I’m glad it exists as a counterpoint to cultural narrative that (heterosexual) marriage should be the center of life and society. On the other hand, it often feels very I Just Discovered Feminism.
- On the other other hand, I am glad that Lenz is putting forth the idea that divorce doesn’t have to be only for huge, horrible reasons. It can just be a pile of small reasons that make you unhappy with your life (though some of the things her husband did made me see red).
- THIS AMERICAN EX-WIFE is a manifesto. Lenz comes in hot and never lets up throughout the entire book, blending her personal story with statistics and the stories of other women to build a case that divorce is good, actually.
- I’m still trying to work out how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I’m glad it exists as a counterpoint to cultural narrative that (heterosexual) marriage should be the center of life and society. On the other hand, it often feels very I Just Discovered Feminism.
- On the other other hand, I am glad that Lenz is putting forth the idea that divorce doesn’t have to be only for huge, horrible reasons. It can just be a pile of small reasons that make you unhappy with your life (though some of the things her husband did made me see red).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
Thanks to Bramble Romance for the free copy of this book.
- Like half the bookish internet, I am absolutely here for the blooming cozy fantasy genre. CAN’T SPELL TREASON WITHOUT TEA is for those of us who wish we had a hundred more books like LEGENDS AND LATTES.
- I loved Reyna and Kianthe’s dynamic. The ongoing thread of learning to let go of the idea that you need to prove your worth to be allowed the things you love is just beautiful.
- The town Thorne created is straight out of a cozy video game. We’re building things, we’re buying things, we’re finding lost items. On top of that, though, it what’s actually a really interesting political setup, and I hope future books from Thorne will explore what happens in that aspect of the world.
- Like half the bookish internet, I am absolutely here for the blooming cozy fantasy genre. CAN’T SPELL TREASON WITHOUT TEA is for those of us who wish we had a hundred more books like LEGENDS AND LATTES.
- I loved Reyna and Kianthe’s dynamic. The ongoing thread of learning to let go of the idea that you need to prove your worth to be allowed the things you love is just beautiful.
- The town Thorne created is straight out of a cozy video game. We’re building things, we’re buying things, we’re finding lost items. On top of that, though, it what’s actually a really interesting political setup, and I hope future books from Thorne will explore what happens in that aspect of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
Love Is a Burning Thing by Nina St. Pierre
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Thanks to Dutton Books for the free copy of this book.
- LOVE IS A BURNING THING is the latest entry into the memoir subgenre of “what the heck did my parents do to me?” What’s interesting about this one is watching St. Pierre’s understanding of her experiences change as she learns more about her mother and her mother’s family.
- This is also a book about searching for meaning and for a place to call home, and grasping how important those things are in building a life.
- The last layer underneath all that is that this is also a story of a broken social safety net, specifically in terms of single motherhood and women left to fend for themselves, even when they are showing clear signs of distress.
- The one thing I wish there was more of in this book is deeper examination of the concept and history of self-immolation. St. Pierre touches on a few famous cases, but I would have liked more introspection here.
- LOVE IS A BURNING THING is the latest entry into the memoir subgenre of “what the heck did my parents do to me?” What’s interesting about this one is watching St. Pierre’s understanding of her experiences change as she learns more about her mother and her mother’s family.
- This is also a book about searching for meaning and for a place to call home, and grasping how important those things are in building a life.
- The last layer underneath all that is that this is also a story of a broken social safety net, specifically in terms of single motherhood and women left to fend for themselves, even when they are showing clear signs of distress.
- The one thing I wish there was more of in this book is deeper examination of the concept and history of self-immolation. St. Pierre touches on a few famous cases, but I would have liked more introspection here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
emotional
reflective
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
Thank you to A.A. Knopf for the free copy of this book.
- I hardly even know how to review REAL AMERICANS. It’s a multigenerational masterpiece that I could not put down.
- Khong guides us through three generations, back and forth in time and place as each POV character tries to sort out their place and purpose in the world.
- There are a few excellent plot twists as well as callbacks, items and motifs repeating through the generations, but never in an over the top way.
- There’s also a slight sprinkle of sci-fi/fantasy in the story, and it’s so satisfying when those threads come together.
- I hardly even know how to review REAL AMERICANS. It’s a multigenerational masterpiece that I could not put down.
- Khong guides us through three generations, back and forth in time and place as each POV character tries to sort out their place and purpose in the world.
- There are a few excellent plot twists as well as callbacks, items and motifs repeating through the generations, but never in an over the top way.
- There’s also a slight sprinkle of sci-fi/fantasy in the story, and it’s so satisfying when those threads come together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
Minor: Ableism
Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Titan Books for the free copy of this book.
- SAINTS OF STORM AND SORROW is a heck of a debut. The world Buba has built is fantastic, parallel to the Philippines in our world but filled with ancient magic and vengeful goddesses.
- I loved Lunurin as a main character. She loves big and fights hard, often filled with the rage of her goddess.
- I particularly liked the way Buba showed how different characters were attempting different courses of action for dealing with the colonizers. Much like battles for freedom and justice in our world, there are factions championing different tactics, ranging from assimilation to destruction.
- I did think it got a little overly long in the middle. It’s strange to say it could have been shorter and I also want a sequel, but it’s true!
- SAINTS OF STORM AND SORROW is a heck of a debut. The world Buba has built is fantastic, parallel to the Philippines in our world but filled with ancient magic and vengeful goddesses.
- I loved Lunurin as a main character. She loves big and fights hard, often filled with the rage of her goddess.
- I particularly liked the way Buba showed how different characters were attempting different courses of action for dealing with the colonizers. Much like battles for freedom and justice in our world, there are factions championing different tactics, ranging from assimilation to destruction.
- I did think it got a little overly long in the middle. It’s strange to say it could have been shorter and I also want a sequel, but it’s true!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Torture, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Slavery and Suicide
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Blood
Ocean's Godori by Elaine U. Cho
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
Thanks to Zando for the free copy of this book.
- Y’all know how much I love a ragtag space crew adventure, and OCEAN’S GODORI is a great one, full of gunslinging, witty quips, and found family love.
- Cho hits that sweet spot of worldbuilding and interstellar politics where it feels real but doesn’t get bogged down in too many people or other details.
- My one gripe is the pacing - some parts moved very fast and others felt super slow. However, it’s a pretty short book so even the “slow” parts don’t last too long.
- I really hope this becomes a series. The ending is left wide open, and I’d love to see what else Cho can do.
- Y’all know how much I love a ragtag space crew adventure, and OCEAN’S GODORI is a great one, full of gunslinging, witty quips, and found family love.
- Cho hits that sweet spot of worldbuilding and interstellar politics where it feels real but doesn’t get bogged down in too many people or other details.
- My one gripe is the pacing - some parts moved very fast and others felt super slow. However, it’s a pretty short book so even the “slow” parts don’t last too long.
- I really hope this becomes a series. The ending is left wide open, and I’d love to see what else Cho can do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Looking for a Sign by Susie Dumond
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Thanks to The Dial Press for the free copy of this book.
- LOOKING FOR A SIGN is exactly the kind of romcom I love - a blend of hilarious and heartfelt.
- The idea of going on a date with someone of each astrological sign leads to some excellent hijinks, not to mention a few spicy encounters!
- I don’t want to get too into the details since half the fun of this book is finding out what each sign’s date is like. But the way the HEA built over the course of the book was a delight, and I adored watching the two of them find what they were looking for in themselves and each other.
- LOOKING FOR A SIGN is exactly the kind of romcom I love - a blend of hilarious and heartfelt.
- The idea of going on a date with someone of each astrological sign leads to some excellent hijinks, not to mention a few spicy encounters!
- I don’t want to get too into the details since half the fun of this book is finding out what each sign’s date is like. But the way the HEA built over the course of the book was a delight, and I adored watching the two of them find what they were looking for in themselves and each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy