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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
Race for the Ruby Turtle by Stephen Bramucci
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this! It's an exciting adventure story that will appeal to middle-grade readers looking for a narrative thrill with elements of found (and literal) family relationships on display. I appreciate that Jake's ADHD is highlighted as something that impacts him but does not completely define him; hopefully readers will see themselves in Jake and identify themselves not only with his challenges but also with his sense of loyalty and perseverance. (Also, I want to read a whole book about Hettle's life.)
I really enjoyed this! It's an exciting adventure story that will appeal to middle-grade readers looking for a narrative thrill with elements of found (and literal) family relationships on display. I appreciate that Jake's ADHD is highlighted as something that impacts him but does not completely define him; hopefully readers will see themselves in Jake and identify themselves not only with his challenges but also with his sense of loyalty and perseverance. (Also, I want to read a whole book about Hettle's life.)
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I love a solid found family, D&D-esque novel like this. There are a few pacing issues, but for the most part the journey is engaging, exciting, and adventurous; I could have easily read 100 more pages about Kissen, Elogast, and Inara. The worldbuilding also feels innovative (again, aside from a few aspects that could have been better fleshed out). I understand the inclusion of that cliffhanger, but it is MEAN.
I love a solid found family, D&D-esque novel like this. There are a few pacing issues, but for the most part the journey is engaging, exciting, and adventurous; I could have easily read 100 more pages about Kissen, Elogast, and Inara. The worldbuilding also feels innovative (again, aside from a few aspects that could have been better fleshed out). I understand the inclusion of that cliffhanger, but it is MEAN.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Sexual content
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is fine but fairly predictable. The spooky elements are mildly interesting and fit the brief, but what I really want is more characterization--the characters feel more surface-level than I anticipated, and there are some side characters that didn't really need to be included. It is a decently fun mystery, though, and I don't regret reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
Mimi's Tales of Terror by Junji Ito
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is not strictly a Junji Ito work (it's based on a collection of urban legends called Shin Mimibukuro), but he took enough creative liberties and drew his traditionally horrific images to go along with the psychologically horrifying stories that it feels like his other books. In fact, I felt like these images are even more grotesque and nightmare-inducing in this volume, which is both terrifying and delightful. But the fact that they're more effective might also have to do with the fact that these tales are real and, therefore, more plausible.
This is not strictly a Junji Ito work (it's based on a collection of urban legends called Shin Mimibukuro), but he took enough creative liberties and drew his traditionally horrific images to go along with the psychologically horrifying stories that it feels like his other books. In fact, I felt like these images are even more grotesque and nightmare-inducing in this volume, which is both terrifying and delightful. But the fact that they're more effective might also have to do with the fact that these tales are real and, therefore, more plausible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele, John Joseph Adams
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Like many reviewers, I saw Jordan Peele's name (along with other well-known authors) and instantly requested this eARC without even reading the description. While a few stories dragged for me, most of them are solidly terrifying and draw heavily on African mythology and cultural elements for their horror and conventions. The stories also vary in tropes and dabble in various genres, which I loved. Standouts include N.K. Jemison's "Reckless Eyeballing," Rebecca Roanhorse's "Eye and Tooth," Nnedi Okorafor's "Dark Home," L.S. Lewis' "Flicker," and P. Djèlí Clark's "Hide and Seek."
Like many reviewers, I saw Jordan Peele's name (along with other well-known authors) and instantly requested this eARC without even reading the description. While a few stories dragged for me, most of them are solidly terrifying and draw heavily on African mythology and cultural elements for their horror and conventions. The stories also vary in tropes and dabble in various genres, which I loved. Standouts include N.K. Jemison's "Reckless Eyeballing," Rebecca Roanhorse's "Eye and Tooth," Nnedi Okorafor's "Dark Home," L.S. Lewis' "Flicker," and P. Djèlí Clark's "Hide and Seek."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia and Mass/school shootings
Secrets We Tell the Sea by Martha Riva Palacio Obón
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautiful little novel. (I read its 144 pages in one sitting.) Its themes are heartbreaking, but the sea imagery and mermaid metaphors are poetic and make the story feel unique and likely more engaging for the middle-grade reader (though there are some spots that are tough to follow). The cultural themes are a huge plus for adults looking for more diverse reads for their kiddo.
This is a beautiful little novel. (I read its 144 pages in one sitting.) Its themes are heartbreaking, but the sea imagery and mermaid metaphors are poetic and make the story feel unique and likely more engaging for the middle-grade reader (though there are some spots that are tough to follow). The cultural themes are a huge plus for adults looking for more diverse reads for their kiddo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, and Abandonment
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
4.5. This starts off slowly as David Grann establishes a sense of place and introduces his readers to key players, so I was a little skeptical that I would be able to follow and stay engaged. But once that ship gets moving, Grann weaves a compelling story about what happens when humans are reduced to their base instincts.
Grann relies on admittedly conflicting accounts from those on both sides (some from the mutineers, some from the captain’s final crew), but he does an admiral job balancing these viewpoints. He also adds depth to what is, essentially, a true crime story about a shipwreck by discussing the broader implications of imperialism and racism that affected not only this crew, but also other militaristic endeavors by the British.
It’s short—the story itself is maybe 250 pages—so it’s worth a read if you’re at all interested in history.
Grann relies on admittedly conflicting accounts from those on both sides (some from the mutineers, some from the captain’s final crew), but he does an admiral job balancing these viewpoints. He also adds depth to what is, essentially, a true crime story about a shipwreck by discussing the broader implications of imperialism and racism that affected not only this crew, but also other militaristic endeavors by the British.
It’s short—the story itself is maybe 250 pages—so it’s worth a read if you’re at all interested in history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism and War
Minor: Cannibalism
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I read this book at the optimal time in my life. As someone who is postpartum and has perpetually dealt with a lifetime of blaming and shaming myself for not keeping a clean house or yard, KC Davis' words really resonated with me.
The book is short--150-ish pages--and concise, as Davis knows that some of her readers don't have the time or capacity to take in all of what they read. It's packed full of useful methods of perspective-shifting that aren't just "clean as you go" or "make a schedule" and emphasizes doing what works best for you. For me, the most valuable pieces of advice are about reframing chores as "care tasks" and doing them not because it's the morally correct thing to do but because I deserve to live in a clean house, to be kind to myself in this way. Her giving permission to not have everything be spotless all the time is also exactly what I needed to read right now.
If you're struggling in life right now, pick this up. If you don't want to read 150 pages, take her advice about which chapters to skip.
The book is short--150-ish pages--and concise, as Davis knows that some of her readers don't have the time or capacity to take in all of what they read. It's packed full of useful methods of perspective-shifting that aren't just "clean as you go" or "make a schedule" and emphasizes doing what works best for you. For me, the most valuable pieces of advice are about reframing chores as "care tasks" and doing them not because it's the morally correct thing to do but because I deserve to live in a clean house, to be kind to myself in this way. Her giving permission to not have everything be spotless all the time is also exactly what I needed to read right now.
If you're struggling in life right now, pick this up. If you don't want to read 150 pages, take her advice about which chapters to skip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming and Emotional abuse
The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
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
I’m torn about what to rate this one. While the premise and the events in the middle chunk read like a generic zombie story—I had to look up whether this came out before or after The Last of Us—the beginning and the end feel poignant and innovative. I think, too, my review would be different if I had read this nine years ago when it came out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Child death
Lucie Yi Is Not a Romantic by Lauren Ho
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief