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ginalucia's reviews
491 reviews
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
challenging
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? Yes
4.75
Red Rising is a book filled with political intrigue, war strategy, and dystopian rage smushed into one.
It gave me some of the same feelings I got from reading The Hunger Games as a teen. That inner rage at injustice. That on the edge of your seat feeling.
This is not a light-hearted book. It’s detailed, complicated, and focuses heavily on character development. Which honestly, I love. It’s also very lacking in any romance, so if you’re looking for that, you won’t find it here.
I have a feeling this is one of those epic investment series. You get to grips with the characters so deeply, it kind of changes you, and I’m looking forward to the ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Misogyny, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Classism
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graveyard Shift was a quick in-between read. At only around 3 hours of audio, it was a no-brainer for a gothic fan.
However, I found the whole thing a little hard to grasp hold of. There are a lot of characters for such a short story, which means there’s not much room for actual story because we need to get to know them.
I listened to the audiobook so some of the voice actors weren't my favourite. It made it hard to grasp hold of the character's age and personality.
Loved the gothic vibes, and the writing is great. I just felt the story couldn’t have the impact it needed because there were too many moving pieces.
Voyage of the Damned by Frances White
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved Voyage of the Damned. The humour, the developing characters, the twists and turns that I predicted very few of honestly. Brilliant.
The solid and frequent representation throughout was a huge bonus. Intentionally done, woven in seamlessly. I want more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I barely wrote any notes on Empire of the Damned because I was so absorbed in the story.
This series has been thrilling, dark, twisting, and unexpected. Vampires and world-building and gore. Loving it.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is How You Lose the Time War is lyrical, verging on purple, and incredibly poetic. For this reason, it’s a challenge to read, but a beautiful one that’s totally worth the effort.
These kinds of books make me feel stupid, which I weirdly enjoy. It's like a puzzle, one you know you're not meant to be able to work out until the end.
It gave me Gideon the Ninth vibes, which just so happens to be my favourite book. Basically, you have no idea what's going on, but the banter is real fun, and there are plenty of memes and modern references thrown in. Plus, there’s the whole sapphic sci-fi thing.
An amazing read, I wish I had picked up sooner.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Sister Spirit by Efua Traoré
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sister Spirit is a story that focuses on identity, belonging, and self-discovery, all mixed with the supernatural.
It’s a fast and easy read, so if you’re looking to get some West African myth in your reading life, this is a great book to pick up.
The characters we follow closely within the book are complicated but feel very real. I enjoyed the journey they went on. It handles some complicated topics with grace, but gives you the emotion and sense of adventure a young character feels when trying to find themselves.
I did struggle a little with the main character's relationship with her adoptive parents though. I wanted a little more of that, to go deeper so it would give the story more weight and grounding. That part felt rushed to get us to the 'better' part of the story faster.
I enjoyed learning more about West African Mythology through the lens of what felt like a lived experience. Getting to see some Nigerian representation and being immersed in that world was a huge pull for this book.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: Very low levels, just kissing.
* Fantasy levels: West African spirits and ancestors galore!
* Rep: Queer rep.
* Trigger warnings: Mental health, homophobia, death, grief.
* The format I read it in: Physical.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Young Gothic by M.A. Bennett
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Young Gothic took me by surprise. I didn’t read the blurb, so I went in without knowing how many gothic references would be throughout. I guess that’s on me. After all, it’s in the title.
I’m going to be honest, it took me a while to get into this one because the language and characters are very Gen Z, but once I got used to that (it’s just a switch-up from what I usually read), I had a great time.
It’s a very immersive and fun (but obviously creepy) read. You feel like you could be in the room with these characters, like you’re one of them, but nobody references you.
The story is slightly predictable, but I think it’s meant to be. You’ll see why if you give it a go.
I did have a few issues that reduced my star rating though. I won’t mention them because they’re spoilers, but just make sure to check the trigger warnings.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Outing
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Infertility, Mental illness, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
dark
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
4.25
The Invocations is gruesome, unsettling, and honestly quite gross. But in a good way.
Krystal Sutherland is a master at writing grim, goopy, and chilling descriptions coupled with strangely empowering yet real women.
This is an unsettling book that has House of Usher and Umbrella Academy vibes but less superhero and more outcast witches.
It’s heart pounding and head spinning. The only thing bringing it down for me is the slightly slow pacing at times.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Babylonia by Costanza Casati
challenging
tense
slow-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
5.0
Babylonia is one of those books I will continue to think about for a long time.
Costanza Casati is a magnificent writer. Not only is her writing fluid, beautiful, and very immersive, but the care she takes with any and all source material is admirable.
Babylonia is completely different in tone and style from her other myth-based book, Clytemnestra. It's poetic and very reflective, which suits the story and the characters. Babylonia is almost elevated in a way. Not better, but different.
In contrast to this style are the depictions of war and violence. These scenes are not gentle. They’re pershaps some of the most disturbing I’ve ever read. They’re not sugar-coated. They’re horrifying.
It feels weird to say, but the inclusion of these scenes and Casati’s handling of them, make the book better. Especially when, as a result, you see the fallout from this. How the characters react and navigate them makes for a deeper and more realistic idea of what it was like.
The book does slow down at parts, but stick with it because this is a book to savour, not rush through. If you’re a mythology, retelling, or ancient historical fiction fan, this has to be on your list.
Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:
* Spice levels: I’d say closed door for the most part.
* Fantasy levels: None. The gods are mentioned a lot, but they are not present.
* Rep: Queer rep throughout.
* Trigger warnings: A lot! Intense violence and depictions of war, addiction, and child abuse.
* The format I read it in: Physical.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Want to understand my book rating system? You can find it here: https://houselucia.com/book-reviews/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, and War
Moderate: Addiction and Child abuse
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
At first, I was a little annoyed that a second book came out after The House in the Cerulean Sea. I knew I'd like it because it's T.J. Klune, but I didn't feel it was needed.
I still don't think it was needed for the story, but the book has a bigger purpose than that, and I think it can serve as something incredibly healing for a lot of people. Not just the people he dedicated it to (which was beautiful, by the way), but anyone who feels like they didn't fit in as a child. It healed a little something even in me.
I don't think the book is perfect though. It was a little too cheesy at times, I felt Linus took a bit too much of a backseat, and some of the more villainous characters were a little too cliche in their villainy for my liking. However, I understand that making this book more realistic in that respect might make it too difficult of a read, and a little too challenging when it should be comforting and empowering.
Amazing writing as per usual though, the banter was perfect, and all the kids are amazing. I love each and every one.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia