darquedreamer's reviews
653 reviews

American Mermaid by Julia Langbein

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Too much going on. Not enough of the promised synopsis. Characters were unlikeable, and there was too much vapidness from the Hollywood standpoint. 
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban

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dark emotional 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

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This one was Scream meets Fear Street and The Poet X with a little Us and Jordan Peele-esque vibes. A fun, horror comedy that brought something new to the genre, while honoring the genre itself. It was predictable, but the enjoyment was in the details.

The vibes between the friends were 👌🏼. The sisterly bond and family dynamic was on point. It was about recognizing where you came from, respecting it, and growing up.

Wellington kept it fresh for modern times, but not too much so that it can't age well. I loved the realistic, diverse characters, the twists and turns, and the cheekiness of it all.

Thank you, Simon Teen, for the ARC!
Never Coming Home by Kate Williams

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dark mysterious tense slow-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? It's complicated

2.0

Too many characters and pov's to keep up with. Characters were most definitely not likeable. Deaths were not entertaining or unique enough, and honestly, this was just a poor And Then There Were None retelling set in the modern world. 🤷🏽‍♀️
One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Not satisfying at all. Too many "memory flashbacks" that were not differentiated enough from the present story, and felt unnecessary and jumbled. The plot was mediocre and boring. The MC was one dimensional and quirky in a not enjoyable way. And, come on. Bleach and nail polish remover to take off sharpie. Does the author not know that rubbing alcohol works??? 
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto

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adventurous dark emotional tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

Little Creeping Things by Chelsea Ichaso

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emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

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funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5