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darquedreamer's reviews
653 reviews
The Return by Rachel Harrison
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
Gritty. Comical but poignant. A striking metaphor for what it feels like to be a woman, fighting against societal norms and expectations, and living in our own bodies feeling like we are fighting against those too. A glorious werewolf story, but not just. A story about releasing the inner she wolf inside us all, about finding, and loving, ourselves through the chaos of life. A fucking fantastic read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Pedophilia, Blood, and Alcohol
The Haunting by Natasha Preston
dark
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
3.5
I was loving it, and the Scream vibes, up until the abrupt, cliff hanger ending...
Shadows of Perl by J. Elle
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Shadows of Perl was beautifully complex. It was an intricate weaving of shadow and light amidst elegant world building. It most definitely did not suffer from book 2 syndrome. It was compulsive and surprising.
The characters continued to grow and change. Alliances were formed and broken. Lines were drawn. Loyalties were tested. The multiple points of view actually mattered and were very well differentiated.
The plot thickened in a gracefully, sumptuous way. There were twists and turns galore. There was unpredictability and excitement around every corner. I got Netflix Winx Saga vibes, and I was ultimately satisfied, and left wanting more at the same time!
Make sure you pre-order this beauty!
Thanks Penguin Teen for the e-ARC!
The characters continued to grow and change. Alliances were formed and broken. Lines were drawn. Loyalties were tested. The multiple points of view actually mattered and were very well differentiated.
The plot thickened in a gracefully, sumptuous way. There were twists and turns galore. There was unpredictability and excitement around every corner. I got Netflix Winx Saga vibes, and I was ultimately satisfied, and left wanting more at the same time!
Make sure you pre-order this beauty!
Thanks Penguin Teen for the e-ARC!
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
4.5 stars.
I absolutely loved this one! I wish I had read it sooner. It took me about 5ish percent to get into it, but then I was hooked.
This one was fiercely feminine. Powerful. It was a story to get angry about! It was a unique retelling for the new world, and it spoke on so many matters!
I already want to reread it, and I cannot wait to read more from this author!
I absolutely loved this one! I wish I had read it sooner. It took me about 5ish percent to get into it, but then I was hooked.
This one was fiercely feminine. Powerful. It was a story to get angry about! It was a unique retelling for the new world, and it spoke on so many matters!
I already want to reread it, and I cannot wait to read more from this author!
House of Marionne by J. Elle
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
Alluring. Dark. Thrilling. House of Marionne was stunning, elegant and magical. Full of glitz and glamor. Heart pounding.
It was Gilmore Girls meets Harry Potter mixed with the magic of Rachel Griffin's books. It had The Princess Diaries vibes and the nostalgia of The Mortal Instruments series. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and more!
It was a fiery story about a brave young woman trying to cage the wild in her because of fear and society's expectations. It was about finding her true self and reflecting inward, deciding whether to embrace her darkness, while navigating the dangerous, exciting new world she'd entered. And, it was about the feeling of home, family, friendship, and young love.
Daring. Spectacular. Passionate. J. Elle crafted a beautifully unique world, dynamic characters, and a story worth falling for!
It was Gilmore Girls meets Harry Potter mixed with the magic of Rachel Griffin's books. It had The Princess Diaries vibes and the nostalgia of The Mortal Instruments series. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and more!
It was a fiery story about a brave young woman trying to cage the wild in her because of fear and society's expectations. It was about finding her true self and reflecting inward, deciding whether to embrace her darkness, while navigating the dangerous, exciting new world she'd entered. And, it was about the feeling of home, family, friendship, and young love.
Daring. Spectacular. Passionate. J. Elle crafted a beautifully unique world, dynamic characters, and a story worth falling for!
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
They're Watching You by Chelsea Ichaso
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Loved it! Funny, mysterious, predictable, but in a satisfying way.
The Haunted Forest Tour by Jeff Strand, James A. Moore
adventurous
dark
funny
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
3.0
Comedic, gory, and interesting. Just wish there hadn't been so many characters and so much going on, and I definitely could have done without the asshat perv who kept ogling his coworker but was trying to convince us he was a faithful husband. 🙄
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, and Blood
We Shall Be Monsters by Tara Sim
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this one! It gave me all the Gothic vibes I craved, as well as the Frankenstein influences I was promised. It was darkly vibrant, full of mythology, dreamlike storytelling, and characters I couldn't get enough of! I couldn't put it down!
Tara Sim crafted such a beautifully unique story that captured my imagination and flew with it. It's been a while since I was really able to visualize what was happening in my mind as I was reading. We Shall Be Monsters read like a horror comic full of color, feels, and just the right amount of comedy.
The last several chapters had me tearing up. No spoilers, but just because of the twists and turns in the story telling. The entire book centered around, not only the theme of good vs evil but, the theme of balancing good and evil, darkness and light. It was multi - faceted and woven so vibrantly and intricately.
Beyond the multi-layered plot, the well developed characters, and the dark beauty of the story, what I loved the most is that this one didn't feel like a typical young adult book. It didn't make me feel like I was too old to be enjoying it. It gave me Lord of the Rings meets Willow and Thriller vibes, where there were bits of horror and fantasy to be enjoyed for most ages. It took me on mystical, enchanting adventure that I cannot wait to continue!
Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the e-arc!
Tara Sim crafted such a beautifully unique story that captured my imagination and flew with it. It's been a while since I was really able to visualize what was happening in my mind as I was reading. We Shall Be Monsters read like a horror comic full of color, feels, and just the right amount of comedy.
The last several chapters had me tearing up. No spoilers, but just because of the twists and turns in the story telling. The entire book centered around, not only the theme of good vs evil but, the theme of balancing good and evil, darkness and light. It was multi - faceted and woven so vibrantly and intricately.
Beyond the multi-layered plot, the well developed characters, and the dark beauty of the story, what I loved the most is that this one didn't feel like a typical young adult book. It didn't make me feel like I was too old to be enjoying it. It gave me Lord of the Rings meets Willow and Thriller vibes, where there were bits of horror and fantasy to be enjoyed for most ages. It took me on mystical, enchanting adventure that I cannot wait to continue!
Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the e-arc!