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justkrissy's reviews
98 reviews
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
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
4.0
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So, a priest, a necromancer, and a prince walk into a fighting ring...
This is an eerie, gothic fantasy featuring tons of courtly/political intrigue, the blurring lines of theocracy and monarchy — which is frankly more terrifying than the risen dead — and a sprinkle of a slow, forbidden romance.
If you prefer more romance to your plot, this may not be as enthralling as it once sounded. Believe me, I saw "forbidden romance" and was immediately onboard. Like I said though, it's a slow-burn! We're getting sooo angsty and I'll eat it up every time.
Regardless, don't let the lack of romantic content keep you from reading a potentially intriguing plotline! All that slow-burn has to lead us somewhere, right?
There's a great cast of characters here, our three main ones having such different personalities that they're dynamic feels like a game of tug-of-war. Between the tension and the banter, I don't know which I liked more.
Lore has all the points of a strong woman lead while still maintaining personality and not diminishing herself for the sake of the male characters.
Gabe and Bastian are near-complete opposites; one being an absolute brooding yearner and the other a charismatic trouble seeker. Again, make-up for a fun dynamic!
While the start was slow, the finish was strong. It's left me wondering who's really the villain here? Or maybe there's more than one?
This is an eerie, gothic fantasy featuring tons of courtly/political intrigue, the blurring lines of theocracy and monarchy — which is frankly more terrifying than the risen dead — and a sprinkle of a slow, forbidden romance.
If you prefer more romance to your plot, this may not be as enthralling as it once sounded. Believe me, I saw "forbidden romance" and was immediately onboard. Like I said though, it's a slow-burn! We're getting sooo angsty and I'll eat it up every time.
Regardless, don't let the lack of romantic content keep you from reading a potentially intriguing plotline! All that slow-burn has to lead us somewhere, right?
There's a great cast of characters here, our three main ones having such different personalities that they're dynamic feels like a game of tug-of-war. Between the tension and the banter, I don't know which I liked more.
Lore has all the points of a strong woman lead while still maintaining personality and not diminishing herself for the sake of the male characters.
Gabe and Bastian are near-complete opposites; one being an absolute brooding yearner and the other a charismatic trouble seeker. Again, make-up for a fun dynamic!
While the start was slow, the finish was strong. It's left me wondering who's really the villain here? Or maybe there's more than one?
In Nightfall by Suzanne Young
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
This book was trying way too hard to be other vampire media… like I’m seeing huge parallels to Twilight LOL
Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.0
This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
What more could a gal want than lesbian yearning?
Honestly though, I really loved this reimagining of Lucy's story. This version of her just feels more real; the author gave so much life to a character that got overlooked and severely mistreated. I loved the switch between her past, her present, and the gap-fillers of her time after she was reborn as a vampire.
One of my biggest issues I had with the original novel was the extreme glazing of the men, the "heroes". Lucy and Mina were always idolizing them, and for what? There's no way a 19-year-old girl would feel joy for three 30-year-old men fawning over her... argue with the wall if you think otherwise.
As for the pacing, it felt pretty steady for me. The chapters are short and are constantly circulating between the different timelines and povs; it never feels like the story drags... until we get to the singular timeline towards the end. For a moment, it flatlines, then kicks back up.
Where I found Lucy's story intriguing, Iris's part in the story felt like it was merely there to connect Lucy to the present day and to throw in a 21st century twist with vampirism. I just didn't care for it that much. Plus the romance just felt too instant-love for me.
Overall, I found the story entertaining! I definitely held more interest in Lucy's past and hunt for Dracula. I wish we could've got more of that in the foreground.
Honestly though, I really loved this reimagining of Lucy's story. This version of her just feels more real; the author gave so much life to a character that got overlooked and severely mistreated. I loved the switch between her past, her present, and the gap-fillers of her time after she was reborn as a vampire.
One of my biggest issues I had with the original novel was the extreme glazing of the men, the "heroes". Lucy and Mina were always idolizing them, and for what? There's no way a 19-year-old girl would feel joy for three 30-year-old men fawning over her... argue with the wall if you think otherwise.
As for the pacing, it felt pretty steady for me. The chapters are short and are constantly circulating between the different timelines and povs; it never feels like the story drags... until we get to the singular timeline towards the end. For a moment, it flatlines, then kicks back up.
Where I found Lucy's story intriguing, Iris's part in the story felt like it was merely there to connect Lucy to the present day and to throw in a 21st century twist with vampirism. I just didn't care for it that much. Plus the romance just felt too instant-love for me.
Overall, I found the story entertaining! I definitely held more interest in Lucy's past and hunt for Dracula. I wish we could've got more of that in the foreground.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If it weren’t for me listening to this at 2x speed in audiobook, I fear this would’ve ended up DNFed.
Classics have such slow pacing, my brain cannot handle that.
I also could not stand the extreme glazing of the men in this story by the women… like stand UP.
After the 50% mark, things became more tolerable.
Classics have such slow pacing, my brain cannot handle that.
I also could not stand the extreme glazing of the men in this story by the women… like stand UP.
After the 50% mark, things became more tolerable.
In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
It’s amazing how authors can fit such jam-packed stories into so little pages!
Tobi Ogundiran delivers such rich world-building that leaves you wanting even more! The amount of lore we’re given in such a short time is astounding.
While I loved the characters for the most part, I think that aspect did fall a little flat for me. Our main character acts younger than what we’re told, coming off a little immature at times. The rest of the cast of characters, while being brilliant, felt only like they were there to merely help or hinder her progress. I hope there will be a little more permanence with at least some characters in the next book.
That being said, I’m super excited for the next book and cannot wait to jump back into this story!! This was a really nice and quick read that keeps you intrigued from start to finish.
Tobi Ogundiran delivers such rich world-building that leaves you wanting even more! The amount of lore we’re given in such a short time is astounding.
While I loved the characters for the most part, I think that aspect did fall a little flat for me. Our main character acts younger than what we’re told, coming off a little immature at times. The rest of the cast of characters, while being brilliant, felt only like they were there to merely help or hinder her progress. I hope there will be a little more permanence with at least some characters in the next book.
That being said, I’m super excited for the next book and cannot wait to jump back into this story!! This was a really nice and quick read that keeps you intrigued from start to finish.
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
"Most men do not need a reason, either. Only an opportunity."
A dark and gritty, atmospheric tale that hits deep.
If you're a woman who has fallen victim to the mistreatment from men, I think there will be a lot of understanding of this story. Let it be a reminder though, that we are much stronger than we're made to think. I wish we all could have compulsion powers to save ourselves...
A dark and gritty, atmospheric tale that hits deep.
If you're a woman who has fallen victim to the mistreatment from men, I think there will be a lot of understanding of this story. Let it be a reminder though, that we are much stronger than we're made to think. I wish we all could have compulsion powers to save ourselves...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
Yes, this is a murder mystery, but it is so much more. A great piece of historical fiction, discussing topics of racism, gentrification, sexism, America’s ever present crooked justice system, and of course familial love.
Three sisters, Gemma, May, and Peony, find themselves having to solve the case of a beloved friend and Hollywood movie stars’ death when Gemma and May stumble across her body. With the hanging threat of Chinatown’s demolition over their heads, these sisters are determined to solve this case and their neighborhood by any means necessary.
I really enjoyed this book! I wouldn’t say that the murder mystery aspect is very thrilling, but the character work, the relationships, and subplots outside of solving the murder really take center stage here. The pacing is quite slow, but I don’t think it really took away from anything other than my attention span at times. There were also a couple of smaller plots that I wish we could’ve seen played out.
This book does well with introducing you to all these suspects, but not giving away so much that you’ll immediately know who the killer is. I found myself still at a loss until the near end of who it could be! I really liked that a lot.
I also loved the sisterly love shown throughout the book. Gemma and May (and of course, Peony) have such a well matched dynamic and they’re always balancing each other out.
Overall, a well written book. I’m not usually the one to read historical fiction, but I was initially intrigued by this one being a murder mystery. I’m really glad I gave this one a chance!!