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goblingirlreads's reviews
819 reviews
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
mysterious
4.0
Thank you to Tor Nightfire, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for my copy of this book.
Compulsively readable. Deliciously horrific. These types of books that have a a thriller/mystery component, I never really love the "reveal" at the end. It never seems to match the build up for me, which is why I tend to avoid thrillers. Can't say I loved this "reveal" either but it was vague enough to make me like it more than usual and it leaned into the horror elements in the build up in a way I really enjoyed. It's also super fast with all the chapters being so brief that I FLEW through it.
I read partially on ebook and listened partially on audio. The audiobook is a super quick 2 hours and 42 minutes so if you listen at a faster speed, as I do, you really can listen to it in a day or two. It's narrated by the translator so she clearly KNOWS the book and narrates masterfully. I was absolutely transported!!
Definitely recommended for a quick scare!
Compulsively readable. Deliciously horrific. These types of books that have a a thriller/mystery component, I never really love the "reveal" at the end. It never seems to match the build up for me, which is why I tend to avoid thrillers. Can't say I loved this "reveal" either but it was vague enough to make me like it more than usual and it leaned into the horror elements in the build up in a way I really enjoyed. It's also super fast with all the chapters being so brief that I FLEW through it.
I read partially on ebook and listened partially on audio. The audiobook is a super quick 2 hours and 42 minutes so if you listen at a faster speed, as I do, you really can listen to it in a day or two. It's narrated by the translator so she clearly KNOWS the book and narrates masterfully. I was absolutely transported!!
Definitely recommended for a quick scare!
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thanks to Tor & NetGalley for my copy of this book!
I was itching to get my hands on P. Djélí Clark's next book and I'm not disappointed. He is a master at world-building seamlessly with plot and character so suddenly you're in a very detailed magical world and it never once feels like info-dumping. Seriously, he's the master. This book is a fast paced adventure of one night in an undead assassin's life where she realizes she can't complete the job. She only has until dawn to either fix it or face some pretty extreme consequences. Because of that is absolutely nonstop action. It's also quite funny and quite a few of the quips really got me giggling! It's a bit of a whirlwind and I'm openly not a big fan of action stories (or movies) so those sections were not always, but that is a personal preference rather than a flaw in the book. Pick up if you're looking for a fun, action-packed, adventure that will fly by!
I was itching to get my hands on P. Djélí Clark's next book and I'm not disappointed. He is a master at world-building seamlessly with plot and character so suddenly you're in a very detailed magical world and it never once feels like info-dumping. Seriously, he's the master. This book is a fast paced adventure of one night in an undead assassin's life where she realizes she can't complete the job. She only has until dawn to either fix it or face some pretty extreme consequences. Because of that is absolutely nonstop action. It's also quite funny and quite a few of the quips really got me giggling! It's a bit of a whirlwind and I'm openly not a big fan of action stories (or movies) so those sections were not always, but that is a personal preference rather than a flaw in the book. Pick up if you're looking for a fun, action-packed, adventure that will fly by!
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fantastic little book set in Clark's alternate Cairo. In this story two agents from the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities must handle a possessed tram car. I found the whole scenario absolutely delightful including the body horror of this entity when it finally reveals itself. He's done it again! I'm definitely a fan of P. Djélí!
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
reflective
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
3.5
Jacqueline Woodson is an absolutely spectacular writer. Her words are honey and soothing to the soul. This is not a favorite of hers for me but it is still absolutely delectable. I wasn't pulled in too much by the story but I can't fault the writing.
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
This book was an absolute delight! I don't think I was as invested in the love story as I was in the other bits, but I still found the whole thing to be charming and a lovely time.
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed
dark
emotional
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
Big thanks to B2Weird, Premee Mohamed, and TorDotCom Publishing for my review copy.
Sometimes children go into the North Woods and they never come back. Only one person has ever gone into the North Woods and retrieved a child: Veris. Now, the tyrant's children have gone missing and he asks Veris to do the unthinkable - make that journey again to save his heirs. This book is a dark adventure into the eerie woods that also explores power, tyranny, innocence, and forces beyond our control. The forest itself is a hauntingly beautiful, terrifying landscape of fae creatures, laws and deals to be made. It is a fast-paced, bite-sized read and totally worth the journey. I'm so glad I picked this one up and definitely recommend it as a quick read between your bigger fantasy epics.
Sometimes children go into the North Woods and they never come back. Only one person has ever gone into the North Woods and retrieved a child: Veris. Now, the tyrant's children have gone missing and he asks Veris to do the unthinkable - make that journey again to save his heirs. This book is a dark adventure into the eerie woods that also explores power, tyranny, innocence, and forces beyond our control. The forest itself is a hauntingly beautiful, terrifying landscape of fae creatures, laws and deals to be made. It is a fast-paced, bite-sized read and totally worth the journey. I'm so glad I picked this one up and definitely recommend it as a quick read between your bigger fantasy epics.
Crave by Maria Llovet
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley & Image Comics for an e-arc of this book!
Alright listen, I absolutely knew what I was signing up for here. This is an erotic thriller so if you don't want to read gorgeously drawn erotica, stay away. The beautiful imagery was absolutely stunning, and my favorite part of the read! Unfortunately, the plot itself was...laughable. But we're not reading this for plot, right? Everyone at the college was extremely horny to the point that there were just intense makeout scenes in the back of every scene where they're just walking through the halls. Everyone is using this new app called "Crave" to fulfill their desires, which are mostly sexual in nature...but the writer clearly doesn't have a background in computer science and the app may as well work off of sunshine and orgasms with the amount of sense The whole thing makes. I wish instead of focusing on the details of this myster ous app the book had focused a little more on character and give them a reason they are all horny for each other besides everyone being unspeakable hot. But alas, it's simply not that kind of book! So go in for the gorgeously illustrated erotica because that is stunning. But don't expect substance anywhere else.
Alright listen, I absolutely knew what I was signing up for here. This is an erotic thriller so if you don't want to read gorgeously drawn erotica, stay away. The beautiful imagery was absolutely stunning, and my favorite part of the read! Unfortunately, the plot itself was...laughable. But we're not reading this for plot, right? Everyone at the college was extremely horny to the point that there were just intense makeout scenes in the back of every scene where they're just walking through the halls. Everyone is using this new app called "Crave" to fulfill their desires, which are mostly sexual in nature...but the writer clearly doesn't have a background in computer science and the app may as well work off of sunshine and orgasms with the amount of sense The whole thing makes. I wish instead of focusing on the details of this myster ous app the book had focused a little more on character and give them a reason they are all horny for each other besides everyone being unspeakable hot. But alas, it's simply not that kind of book! So go in for the gorgeously illustrated erotica because that is stunning. But don't expect substance anywhere else.
Anxious by Luciana De Luca
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd., Annick Press, for an advanced reader copy.
I was a kiddo with undiagnosed anxiety. Being anxious was a very confusing experience because no one put a name to the feeling. I almost want to cry that other anxious kids may have access to this beautiful book, put a name to the feeling they are experiencing, and get the help they need. I loved the pictures in the book and the contrast of the feeling of darkness, fear, and being small with the colorful flowers of being able to live with joy, love, and help from an adult. I highly recommend this book for all parents/teachers especially the ones that may have an anxious kiddo at home. They deserve to live beyond their anxiety and find hope and beauty in the world. So happy that is lovely book exists!
I was a kiddo with undiagnosed anxiety. Being anxious was a very confusing experience because no one put a name to the feeling. I almost want to cry that other anxious kids may have access to this beautiful book, put a name to the feeling they are experiencing, and get the help they need. I loved the pictures in the book and the contrast of the feeling of darkness, fear, and being small with the colorful flowers of being able to live with joy, love, and help from an adult. I highly recommend this book for all parents/teachers especially the ones that may have an anxious kiddo at home. They deserve to live beyond their anxiety and find hope and beauty in the world. So happy that is lovely book exists!
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
This book is being billed as "Our Flag Means Death meets Six of Crows: a new standalone novel and queer pirate fantasy adventure", The description alone told me that this book was worth my time but what this doesn't say is that this book is also a love letter to Terry Pratchett and I've honestly never laughed this hard while reading. It's freaking hilarious and it doesn't stop being hilarious all the way through. A seriously impressive amount of hilarity. I read the first quarter on the Netgalley app and then I got a physical copy in the mail (Thanks so much to Tor Dot Com for my arc!) I literally squealed and hugged this book, that's how much I was loving it even from the beginning.
I actually find it much harder to explain why I loved a book to death than to explain my critiques. The characters in this book are the biggest delight. The main protagonist is an absolute menace of a human and yet somehow we love him anyway through his shenanigans. Captain Teveri is probably my favorite. They are both a formidable captain and a complete softie. Hot Julian truly started off as a joke of a character and then throughout the book develops so much depth and by the end I truly loved that man.
The plot is an exciting pirate adventure with some intrigue, mystery, and also a lot of sex.
I do have to mention that this is probably the horniest book I've ever read. The characters love sex and they are very open about loving it and wanting to fuck each other. But the book isn't "spicy". I absolutely adored this about the book but I do see this being a potential dislike for some people! Know thyself!
This book is a celebration of the trivial things that make a pirates life exciting. It's whimsical and hilarious, and it manages to also say some pretty deep things about our world at the end without ever losing the wonderful light tone.
I loved this book so much and I simply can't stop raving about how much I loved this read.
I actually find it much harder to explain why I loved a book to death than to explain my critiques. The characters in this book are the biggest delight. The main protagonist is an absolute menace of a human and yet somehow we love him anyway through his shenanigans. Captain Teveri is probably my favorite. They are both a formidable captain and a complete softie. Hot Julian truly started off as a joke of a character and then throughout the book develops so much depth and by the end I truly loved that man.
The plot is an exciting pirate adventure with some intrigue, mystery, and also a lot of sex.
I do have to mention that this is probably the horniest book I've ever read. The characters love sex and they are very open about loving it and wanting to fuck each other. But the book isn't "spicy". I absolutely adored this about the book but I do see this being a potential dislike for some people! Know thyself!
This book is a celebration of the trivial things that make a pirates life exciting. It's whimsical and hilarious, and it manages to also say some pretty deep things about our world at the end without ever losing the wonderful light tone.
I loved this book so much and I simply can't stop raving about how much I loved this read.
System Collapse by Martha Wells
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While it saddens me to say this, I think I may have to end my journey with Murderbot here. I just didn't find this installment interesting or exciting. I almost completely tuned out the plot and struggled to stay focused on the book. What I can say is that Murderbot is and always will be a brilliant narrator. My devotion to the chaalracter and the series got me through this installment when I really couldn't be bothered about the actual events taking place.