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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
Iranian Love Stories by Jane Deuxard, Deloupy
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Definitely hits different in light of the atrocities happening in Iran.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Parts of this were rough to read--not because of the quality of the writing, but because of the death, grief, and sexual abuse--but it's compelling; I found myself wanting to spend every spare moment going through this book. I did like Elizabeth Zott, despite some of her more irksome moments, and I appreciated the terrible men in the story getting their comeuppance. Some of my favorite characters, however, were side characters (e.g., Harriet and Walter), who evolved throughout the story rather than being tossed aside.
I can see why this won the Goodreads Choice Award in its category this year.
I can see why this won the Goodreads Choice Award in its category this year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Grief, and Car accident
The Art of Sushi by Franckie Alarcon
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
I'm not going to be eating sushi for the next six months, so I thought I would torture myself by reading this beautifully illustrated graphic novel that depicts, in painstaking detail, various types of sushi, rice, wasabi, fish, etc. Good idea, self.
Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
3.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
For me, this is slightly more interesting than the first book in the series. We exchange court intrigue for the battlefield (which, incidentally, encompasses the court when monsters wreak havoc). The sex-to-plotline ratio is more even too, even though it still feels like the sex is just thrown in for fun in some scenes. But the lack of characterization and depth in the story still plague the sequel, and the various threads become hard to follow.
Those who loved the first book would enjoy this and wouldn't mind the lack of closure. It was entertaining enough for me, but I'm not sure I'm invested enough to read a third book in the series.
For me, this is slightly more interesting than the first book in the series. We exchange court intrigue for the battlefield (which, incidentally, encompasses the court when monsters wreak havoc). The sex-to-plotline ratio is more even too, even though it still feels like the sex is just thrown in for fun in some scenes. But the lack of characterization and depth in the story still plague the sequel, and the various threads become hard to follow.
Those who loved the first book would enjoy this and wouldn't mind the lack of closure. It was entertaining enough for me, but I'm not sure I'm invested enough to read a third book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
I requested an eARC of Queen of Myth and Monsters from NetGalley because I was intrigued by the premise (and because I read Scarlett St. Clair's A Touch of Darkness and enjoyed it well enough). Then I got approved to read it and realized it was the second in a series...so, obviously, I had to read the first one.
I liked this less than A Touch of Darkness. I didn't expect a ton of innovation, but the story and character development are scattered and lack depth. Isolde's vow to hate Adrian and murder him after their wedding--a trope done better in, for example, The Shadows Between Us--vanishes quickly; almost immediately, she realizes she wants to have lots of sex with the vampire king and abandons her mission. In fact, the first part of the book bored me with the ratio of sex to plotlines with little connection between the two elements. I did, however, bump this up a star because events do finally begin moving 60-70% of the way through the book, making the story more engaging [(even if I did literally roll my eyes at the revelation and throwaway explanation about Isolde being Ysenia in a "past life" and everyone accepting it immediately) (hide spoiler)].
I give St. Clair props for writing her protagonist as a curvy character of color, but I hope the sequel is more interesting.
I liked this less than A Touch of Darkness. I didn't expect a ton of innovation, but the story and character development are scattered and lack depth. Isolde's vow to hate Adrian and murder him after their wedding--a trope done better in, for example, The Shadows Between Us--vanishes quickly; almost immediately, she realizes she wants to have lots of sex with the vampire king and abandons her mission. In fact, the first part of the book bored me with the ratio of sex to plotlines with little connection between the two elements. I did, however, bump this up a star because events do finally begin moving 60-70% of the way through the book, making the story more engaging [(even if I did literally roll my eyes at the revelation and throwaway explanation about Isolde being Ysenia in a "past life" and everyone accepting it immediately) (hide spoiler)].
I give St. Clair props for writing her protagonist as a curvy character of color, but I hope the sequel is more interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Blood
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I've read almost everything Talia Hibbert has written, so I jumped at the chance to request her first foray into YA. I was relieved to find that her writing style--witty banter, laugh-out-loud one-liners, and strong representation of mental health issues--translates well. Brad and Celine both feel fleshed out and unique, and their relationship is, well, unfairly cute. Hibbert does, however, spend less time adding depth to her plot; for example, I wanted more from the BEP scholarship storyline. Regardless, if you've enjoyed Hibbert's other books and also like reading YA, pick this up.
I've read almost everything Talia Hibbert has written, so I jumped at the chance to request her first foray into YA. I was relieved to find that her writing style--witty banter, laugh-out-loud one-liners, and strong representation of mental health issues--translates well. Brad and Celine both feel fleshed out and unique, and their relationship is, well, unfairly cute. Hibbert does, however, spend less time adding depth to her plot; for example, I wanted more from the BEP scholarship storyline. Regardless, if you've enjoyed Hibbert's other books and also like reading YA, pick this up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Abandonment
Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
I'm not going to give this a rating because I really like the author as a person (met her at an author event through the library), so I feel like any rating I assign would be biased.
The writing style didn't engage me as much as I thought it would--it deals with a lot of issues at the same time, all of which are important--so the plot ended up being difficult for me to follow. But I also don't read many thrillers, so that might be on me. Regardless, it's nice to see a detective series in which the protagonist (and most of the side characters) are characters of color, and it's clear that Ausma is conscious and critical of police corruption in areas around the country. It looks like she'll continue to address these issues in subsequent books.
The writing style didn't engage me as much as I thought it would--it deals with a lot of issues at the same time, all of which are important--so the plot ended up being difficult for me to follow. But I also don't read many thrillers, so that might be on me. Regardless, it's nice to see a detective series in which the protagonist (and most of the side characters) are characters of color, and it's clear that Ausma is conscious and critical of police corruption in areas around the country. It looks like she'll continue to address these issues in subsequent books.
A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The actual heist felt plodding, and while I liked hearing about the four girls at the heart of the story (and appreciated their diverse backgrounds and upbringing), the romantic subplots and deception between them felt tiresome at times. But the suspense Adiba Jaigirdar builds throughout the novel (punctuated by a countdown at the beginning of each chapter) culminates in a high-stakes, exciting ending, and it's one that doesn't sugar-coat the losses from the Titanic. It's worth reading if you can stick with it until the end.
The actual heist felt plodding, and while I liked hearing about the four girls at the heart of the story (and appreciated their diverse backgrounds and upbringing), the romantic subplots and deception between them felt tiresome at times. But the suspense Adiba Jaigirdar builds throughout the novel (punctuated by a countdown at the beginning of each chapter) culminates in a high-stakes, exciting ending, and it's one that doesn't sugar-coat the losses from the Titanic. It's worth reading if you can stick with it until the end.
Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen
dark
funny
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
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This reads like a darker (but still bitingly funny) version of Derry Girls with a slightly older protagonist. Set during The Troubles in Northern Ireland in 1994, we follow Maeve as she nervously awaits her GCSE results. Her cynicism and bitterness from living in a place that’s been bombed, experienced violence resulting in death, and religious persecution comes through in how she relates to the world, but there’s a healthy dose of humor in her interactions with her fellow factory workers and her friends. It’s a good time, and the characters have plenty of depth in addition to their getting rip-roaringly drunk and flirting and enjoying themselves.
This reads like a darker (but still bitingly funny) version of Derry Girls with a slightly older protagonist. Set during The Troubles in Northern Ireland in 1994, we follow Maeve as she nervously awaits her GCSE results. Her cynicism and bitterness from living in a place that’s been bombed, experienced violence resulting in death, and religious persecution comes through in how she relates to the world, but there’s a healthy dose of humor in her interactions with her fellow factory workers and her friends. It’s a good time, and the characters have plenty of depth in addition to their getting rip-roaringly drunk and flirting and enjoying themselves.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
Amor Actually by Adriana Herrera, Sabrina Sol, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras, Alexis Daria, Zoey Castile
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Some of these stories fell flat for me, and some had too much insta-love (though that’s the go-to for romance short stories), but overall I loved the Latinx characters and storylines, and they were all improvements on the ones in Love Actually—the most delightful part of reading this was recognizing which aspects of the movie the authors were riffing on. There’s plenty of chemistry and steam packed into the pages, which I also appreciated (though sometimes it felt like those scenes existed for the sake of, well, existing). Plus, I now have some new romance authors to check out in the coming year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death and Death of parent