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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't like this one as much as the previous installment--probably because Alex is a more appealing character than Gillian and because the story here is more fractured and difficult to follow. The chemistry is certainly palpable, though, and the second-chance romance trope works smoothly. There's also some magical realism mixed in with the romance that continues the theme of ghostly mischief from book 1--the appearance of La Llorona and other spiritual elements is intriguing, though Gillian and Nick getting physical during the appearance of said elements feels...icky?
This is a solid second installment in the series, so grab this if you enjoyed the first one. Can't wait to read Sissy's book!
I didn't like this one as much as the previous installment--probably because Alex is a more appealing character than Gillian and because the story here is more fractured and difficult to follow. The chemistry is certainly palpable, though, and the second-chance romance trope works smoothly. There's also some magical realism mixed in with the romance that continues the theme of ghostly mischief from book 1--the appearance of La Llorona and other spiritual elements is intriguing, though Gillian and Nick getting physical during the appearance of said elements feels...icky?
This is a solid second installment in the series, so grab this if you enjoyed the first one. Can't wait to read Sissy's book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death and Drug abuse
Black and Deep Desires by Claire Trella Hill
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
I received an advance review copy of this book for free through BookSirens and am leaving my honest feedback voluntarily.
This was a delectable, brooding read to dive into right around the Autumnal Equinox. Claire Trella Hill is adept at creating a dramatically spooky setting; I felt a sense of dread as Ophelia discovers the extent of her family's terrible nature as she becomes trapped on her isolated Yorkshire estate. The side characters also have enough depth to keep the romance between Salem and Ophelia from becoming too cloying or overwhelming in its passion; I wanted to learn more about them after the novel ended. I also could have used more explanation of this world's vampire lore--how the hierarchy works, how vampires function with their gifts, etc. Overall, though, I found the story and ending satisfying and perfect for Spooky Season.
Grab this if you're into Gothic paranormal romances with a hint of found family and--obviously--vampires.
This was a delectable, brooding read to dive into right around the Autumnal Equinox. Claire Trella Hill is adept at creating a dramatically spooky setting; I felt a sense of dread as Ophelia discovers the extent of her family's terrible nature as she becomes trapped on her isolated Yorkshire estate. The side characters also have enough depth to keep the romance between Salem and Ophelia from becoming too cloying or overwhelming in its passion; I wanted to learn more about them after the novel ended. I also could have used more explanation of this world's vampire lore--how the hierarchy works, how vampires function with their gifts, etc. Overall, though, I found the story and ending satisfying and perfect for Spooky Season.
Grab this if you're into Gothic paranormal romances with a hint of found family and--obviously--vampires.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is unexpectedly cute and fun, aside from some scary/creepy moments with the adults in the Cone household. The ending is surprisingly touching, though I wish we had gotten to see more moments with Mary Jane and her mom to increase its poignancy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Two Graves by Genevieve Valentine
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This might be a case of poor marketing, but the Persephone-Hades connection is tenuous to me. Also, while the art is beautiful and eerie, the plot is confusing and tough to follow (though I enjoyed the vignettes I was able to understand). This might have to do with the asides from different authors interspersed throughout the issue--I particularly enjoyed N. K. Jemison's contribution--which didn't make sense to me. I don't think I'll pick up the next volume, but it was fun to try something new.
This might be a case of poor marketing, but the Persephone-Hades connection is tenuous to me. Also, while the art is beautiful and eerie, the plot is confusing and tough to follow (though I enjoyed the vignettes I was able to understand). This might have to do with the asides from different authors interspersed throughout the issue--I particularly enjoyed N. K. Jemison's contribution--which didn't make sense to me. I don't think I'll pick up the next volume, but it was fun to try something new.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet-yet-sincere take on what it's like to have one's first real crush. Nora Dåsnes really captures the feeling of being a twelve-year-old girl caught between childhood and teendom (teenhood? teenage-years?) in all of its tentative, awkward glory. I also love how whimsical yet detailed the illustrations are.
This is a sweet-yet-sincere take on what it's like to have one's first real crush. Nora Dåsnes really captures the feeling of being a twelve-year-old girl caught between childhood and teendom (teenhood? teenage-years?) in all of its tentative, awkward glory. I also love how whimsical yet detailed the illustrations are.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Outing
Minor: Homophobia
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
This is incredibly depressing, probably because it's not far off from what our world could look like in the coming decades. The apocalyptic, survivalist themes reminded me of The Last of Us but, you know, with fewer fungi. As callous as this sounds, the novel starts off slow but becomes more engaging after a certain character dies and the world starts to deteriorate further.
Despite its terrifying realism, there is a healthy dose of magical realism. While I wish the manifestation of Wanda's "light pirate" ability had been explained more, I do understand its purpose based on the end of the novel. (Speaking of the end of the novel, it's...kind of...a happy ending.)
Despite its terrifying realism, there is a healthy dose of magical realism. While I wish the manifestation of Wanda's "light pirate" ability had been explained more, I do understand its purpose based on the end of the novel. (Speaking of the end of the novel, it's...kind of...a happy ending.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying
The Name Drop by Susan Lee
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As much as I enjoyed the K-drama vibes of this book, there's a lot of implausibility in the plot that gave me pause as I was reading (e.g., the name mix-up through official channels, the homogenous workforce, some of the financial details, etc.). I did, however, appreciate that not everything is resolved in a perfect or traditional way. Plus, the romance is pretty cute.
As much as I enjoyed the K-drama vibes of this book, there's a lot of implausibility in the plot that gave me pause as I was reading (e.g., the name mix-up through official channels, the homogenous workforce, some of the financial details, etc.). I did, however, appreciate that not everything is resolved in a perfect or traditional way. Plus, the romance is pretty cute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Aside from wanting a tiny bit more oomph, I loved reading this! It's genuinely spooky and has solid nonbinary representation--I definitely got emotional hearing River talk about their perception of themself and the adults in their life--along with an engaging narrative drive. My favorite character, though, was River's cat: the protective, sassy-yet-sweet Mr. Fluffy Pancakes. (I have a gray cat at home, so I'm biased.)
It's a scary, occasionally humorous, full-throttle ride through the Otherwoods, and it's a journey I was happy to take even as a non-middle-grade reader.
Aside from wanting a tiny bit more oomph, I loved reading this! It's genuinely spooky and has solid nonbinary representation--I definitely got emotional hearing River talk about their perception of themself and the adults in their life--along with an engaging narrative drive. My favorite character, though, was River's cat: the protective, sassy-yet-sweet Mr. Fluffy Pancakes. (I have a gray cat at home, so I'm biased.)
It's a scary, occasionally humorous, full-throttle ride through the Otherwoods, and it's a journey I was happy to take even as a non-middle-grade reader.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Blood
Dig by A.S. King
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’m gonna be thinking about this one for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Racism
Moderate: Rape and Murder
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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 collection feels cozy and charming and does, in fact, remind me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. (Nice work, marketing department.) As a librarian, I obviously felt compelled to read this, but I wasn't expecting how poignant the stories would be; I loved the focus on community and the exploration of human nature Michiko Aoyama facilitates through them. I wanted to read more about Sayuri Komachi--the librarian--but maybe Aoyama will explore that in a sequel.
This collection feels cozy and charming and does, in fact, remind me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. (Nice work, marketing department.) As a librarian, I obviously felt compelled to read this, but I wasn't expecting how poignant the stories would be; I loved the focus on community and the exploration of human nature Michiko Aoyama facilitates through them. I wanted to read more about Sayuri Komachi--the librarian--but maybe Aoyama will explore that in a sequel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Fatphobia