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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I didn’t want to like this book. The formulaic New Adult fantasy book tropes of love triangle (with childhood best friend and brooding class/teammate, of course), smart-and-strong-yet-fragile heroine, and an everlasting war abound, as do the clichés about love, friendship, and battle.
Yet here I am, giving it a 4.5.
Yet here I am, giving it a 4.5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest view.
This is fun as a pastiche of fairy tales, but some of the connections are tenuous and don't totally work--I wanted more from the plot. I respect the moments of terror in the forest that Kathryn Purdie creates, though; I felt a sense of dread every time Clara, Henni, and Axel met a new figure.
This is fun as a pastiche of fairy tales, but some of the connections are tenuous and don't totally work--I wanted more from the plot. I respect the moments of terror in the forest that Kathryn Purdie creates, though; I felt a sense of dread every time Clara, Henni, and Axel met a new figure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Grief
Love Interest by Clare Gilmore
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a solid workplace romance with a slow burn yet palpable chemistry between Casey and Alex. Clare Gilmore fully explores both of these characters and their positive attributes, faults, and traumas in a layered way that made me feel like I knew them well. There's some questionable communication issues--mostly ones triggered by the relationship between Alex and his father--but otherwise the story feels sweet and genuine.
This is a solid workplace romance with a slow burn yet palpable chemistry between Casey and Alex. Clare Gilmore fully explores both of these characters and their positive attributes, faults, and traumas in a layered way that made me feel like I knew them well. There's some questionable communication issues--mostly ones triggered by the relationship between Alex and his father--but otherwise the story feels sweet and genuine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Baby Bank by Sarah Robinson
emotional
funny
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
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I've read some cringe-worthy pregnancy-centered romances, but this one is quite charming and sweet (probably because it subverts heteronormative/patriarchal norms and concepts of the meaning of "family"). I loved reading about the evolution and build-up of Mila and Ari's relationship, especially as it pertains to Mila's evolving career, and the side characters are fun additions to their world. I took off a star because the pacing is fine up until 3/4 of the way through the book, when it moves at lightning speed to reach the climax. The placement of the epilogue and bonus scenes are also strange; I would have switched the two because it's a jarring read in its current iteration.
I've read some cringe-worthy pregnancy-centered romances, but this one is quite charming and sweet (probably because it subverts heteronormative/patriarchal norms and concepts of the meaning of "family"). I loved reading about the evolution and build-up of Mila and Ari's relationship, especially as it pertains to Mila's evolving career, and the side characters are fun additions to their world. I took off a star because the pacing is fine up until 3/4 of the way through the book, when it moves at lightning speed to reach the climax. The placement of the epilogue and bonus scenes are also strange; I would have switched the two because it's a jarring read in its current iteration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Decodependence: A Romantic Tragicomic by Lila Ash
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It feels strange to give three stars to a memoir, but I came up with that because--despite the strong emotional threads to the story and outlining the importance of boundaries--the lackluster graphics brought down the story for me. I'm also not a fan of books in which the entire story reads like the protagonist's therapy session, so that also influenced me. (I did appreciate how much I learned about codependent relationships, though.)
It feels strange to give three stars to a memoir, but I came up with that because--despite the strong emotional threads to the story and outlining the importance of boundaries--the lackluster graphics brought down the story for me. I'm also not a fan of books in which the entire story reads like the protagonist's therapy session, so that also influenced me. (I did appreciate how much I learned about codependent relationships, though.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm glad this leans into the haunted house (and haunted person) horror motif as much as I thought it would. I thought it would veer more into thriller territory, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how eerie it is. The twist is somewhat predictable--though the epilogue provides a satisfying counter-twist--and although Lisa M. Matlin has a solid grasp on her narrative there are some annoyingly unresolved loose ends. But, for the most part, this is a deliciously terrifying read about Sarah's physical, mental, and emotional deterioration as she attempts to remodel a house that defiantly resists change.
I'm glad this leans into the haunted house (and haunted person) horror motif as much as I thought it would. I thought it would veer more into thriller territory, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how eerie it is. The twist is somewhat predictable--though the epilogue provides a satisfying counter-twist--and although Lisa M. Matlin has a solid grasp on her narrative there are some annoyingly unresolved loose ends. But, for the most part, this is a deliciously terrifying read about Sarah's physical, mental, and emotional deterioration as she attempts to remodel a house that defiantly resists change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death
Minor: Infidelity
Cosmic Detective by Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, David Rubín
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'd heard rumblings of this "Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt's take on Blade Runner" graphic novel, so I put in the request. The premise about an invincible being dying is intriguing, but what kept me reading is David Rubín's artwork--it's beautiful and captures the emotions and unique personalities of each character while also moving the story along well (though I still had to reread a few pages to understand what was happening). I'll keep an eye out for the next installment!
I'd heard rumblings of this "Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt's take on Blade Runner" graphic novel, so I put in the request. The premise about an invincible being dying is intriguing, but what kept me reading is David Rubín's artwork--it's beautiful and captures the emotions and unique personalities of each character while also moving the story along well (though I still had to reread a few pages to understand what was happening). I'll keep an eye out for the next installment!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Parasocial by Erica Henderson, Alex de Campi
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fine, quick read. I appreciated the coloring and art style shifting as I read, especially as the characters devolve and get more frantic, and I understand the theme of parasocial relationships being insidious (though I'd have liked more twists/depth). The pacing is messy and off-putting, though, and I found it hard to be invested in any of the characters by the end. That also made the conclusion feel anticlimactic.
This is a fine, quick read. I appreciated the coloring and art style shifting as I read, especially as the characters devolve and get more frantic, and I understand the theme of parasocial relationships being insidious (though I'd have liked more twists/depth). The pacing is messy and off-putting, though, and I found it hard to be invested in any of the characters by the end. That also made the conclusion feel anticlimactic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Stalking
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I like my horror with a comedic twist, so Rachel Harrison's quickly becoming my go-to author during Spooky Season. This is the second book of hers that I've read, and I've grown to love her dark, twisted, sarcastic sense of humor; she reminds me of Grady Hendrix in that way. She also creates jaded, snarky, smart heroines that are easy to root for as they get themselves into increasingly weird, terrifying situations.
I'm also a big fan of how Harrison makes a familiar trope feel original and fresh; this is the case with this trope of going back home to one's estranged, extremely religious family only to have something creepy happen. (Don't read any synopses before you start this book--I've had issues with marketing blurbs before, but the publisher did a solid job being informative yet cryptic with this one.) Also, don't be put off by the slower pacing in the beginning--it REALLY picks up later, especially in the last quarter of the novel.
I like my horror with a comedic twist, so Rachel Harrison's quickly becoming my go-to author during Spooky Season. This is the second book of hers that I've read, and I've grown to love her dark, twisted, sarcastic sense of humor; she reminds me of Grady Hendrix in that way. She also creates jaded, snarky, smart heroines that are easy to root for as they get themselves into increasingly weird, terrifying situations.
I'm also a big fan of how Harrison makes a familiar trope feel original and fresh; this is the case with this trope of going back home to one's estranged, extremely religious family only to have something creepy happen. (Don't read any synopses before you start this book--I've had issues with marketing blurbs before, but the publisher did a solid job being informative yet cryptic with this one.) Also, don't be put off by the slower pacing in the beginning--it REALLY picks up later, especially in the last quarter of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This distinguishes itself remarkably from other YA historical fantasy books. I loved the alternative history nested within the Tang dynasty (coupled with the fact that Zilan is loosely based on a Chinese cultural figure); it gives some context for Kylie Lee Baker's worldbuilding. Zilan is oddly relatable, and I admired her stubbornness and courage in the face of bloody violence and death. (I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is much more visceral and gory than I was expecting.) The alchemical system, though not unfamiliar, is also fascinating and fleshed out well. The romance, on the other hand, is not--it was tough for me to see the trajectory of Zilan's feelings for the prince--but that's understandable given the ending.
While I think this could have ended as a standalone, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
This distinguishes itself remarkably from other YA historical fantasy books. I loved the alternative history nested within the Tang dynasty (coupled with the fact that Zilan is loosely based on a Chinese cultural figure); it gives some context for Kylie Lee Baker's worldbuilding. Zilan is oddly relatable, and I admired her stubbornness and courage in the face of bloody violence and death. (I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is much more visceral and gory than I was expecting.) The alchemical system, though not unfamiliar, is also fascinating and fleshed out well. The romance, on the other hand, is not--it was tough for me to see the trajectory of Zilan's feelings for the prince--but that's understandable given the ending.
While I think this could have ended as a standalone, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder