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leahrosereads's reviews
1029 reviews
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Queer joy in a queer horror? Yes please! I couldn't stop reading. I loved the characters, the writing, the ending all of it!
I read a lot of horror without happy endings so when one with is such a delight. It was cheapened though. I throughly enjoyed every moment of this ride!
I read a lot of horror without happy endings so when one with is such a delight. It was cheapened though. I throughly enjoyed every moment of this ride!
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Did I think I'd be here writing a review about a slasher with tears in my eyes. Nope, but here I am all the same.
Damn SGJ is a master storyteller. This was everything I could have hoped for and then so, so much more.
Damn SGJ is a master storyteller. This was everything I could have hoped for and then so, so much more.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I kept changing my rating from 3.75 to 4.25 so I'm landing on a 4. The premises was super intriguing and unlike some other reviews, I dug the ending and thought it seemed realistic, especially for the the time.
This is the type of book that I read probably at the perfect time for my mood but wouldn't reread it.
Things I didn't end up enjoyng:
This is a long book with a lot of redundancy. I don't think it would have held my attention had I not been listening to the audio book copy.
Characters - I really wanted more and less. More development and back story and possibly less characters overall. There were just too many, and I kept getting confused.
Queerness - there's on page queer interactions or near interactions but I'd have loved more openness around it.
This is the type of book that I read probably at the perfect time for my mood but wouldn't reread it.
Things I didn't end up enjoyng:
This is a long book with a lot of redundancy. I don't think it would have held my attention had I not been listening to the audio book copy.
Characters - I really wanted more and less. More development and back story and possibly less characters overall. There were just too many, and I kept getting confused.
Queerness - there's on page queer interactions or near interactions but I'd have loved more openness around it.
Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
found out that there would be an animal death that seemingly had no point on top of the MC missing all the red flags and her pretentious personality, I'm passing on this one.
Worst Laid Plans by Samantha Kolesnik
dark
fast-paced
3.75
Hits
Unkindly Girls by Hailey Piper
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan
The Cucuy of Cancun by V Castro
The Penanggalan by Scott Cole
Misses
You've Been Saved
Peelings by Kenzie Jennings
The Difference between Crocodiles and Alligators
Good Times in the Bad Lands
Bizarrely wanted more
Taylor Family Vacation by Jeremy Herbert
Sex with Dolphins by Chad Stroup
Fine
Summers with Annie
Expertise
Caught a Glimpse by Patrick Lacey
In the Water by Mark Wheaton
This was overall a solid collection of interesting vacation horror. A couple misses/ones that I didn't like for whatever reasons but quite a few that I thoroughly enjoyed or even wanted more of!
Unkindly Girls by Hailey Piper
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan
The Cucuy of Cancun by V Castro
The Penanggalan by Scott Cole
Misses
You've Been Saved
Peelings by Kenzie Jennings
The Difference between Crocodiles and Alligators
Good Times in the Bad Lands
Bizarrely wanted more
Taylor Family Vacation by Jeremy Herbert
Sex with Dolphins by Chad Stroup
Fine
Summers with Annie
Expertise
Caught a Glimpse by Patrick Lacey
In the Water by Mark Wheaton
This was overall a solid collection of interesting vacation horror. A couple misses/ones that I didn't like for whatever reasons but quite a few that I thoroughly enjoyed or even wanted more of!
Just a Girl by Alyssa Cole
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? N/A
5.0
Holy shit this was so good and so terrifying. The fact that this happens every single day is horrific, and I wish there were more fringe hackers that helped protect the victims of online stalking and bullying.
I know that sounds hypocritical but until folks can learn to be respectful, fuck if I won't keep hoping for help!
I know that sounds hypocritical but until folks can learn to be respectful, fuck if I won't keep hoping for help!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Police brutality, Stalking, and Pandemic/Epidemic
All The Dead Things by Bear Lee
dark
emotional
fast-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
5.0
This was a stellar debut that I couldn't put down! In the beginning, since I'm not really a true crime fan, I wasn't a fan of seeing this from the killer's eyes but by the end, my heart hurt for Walker and the traumas he endured at the hands of his mom.
The storytelling was captivating and I dug the podcast element. I need to pick up a physical copy because this is a book I definitely want to have on my shelves.
The storytelling was captivating and I dug the podcast element. I need to pick up a physical copy because this is a book I definitely want to have on my shelves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Hyacinth by Elle Porter
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This ended up being an absolutely stunning story but I was a bit wary of the quick, passionate, all-consuming romance. It made all the sense in the world, but at the beginning, I was put off.
That said, the writing and character were phenomenal, and I will always root for a HEA!
I'm intrigued to check out the origin story of Apollo and Hycanthus now for sure!
That said, the writing and character were phenomenal, and I will always root for a HEA!
I'm intrigued to check out the origin story of Apollo and Hycanthus now for sure!
I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend by Jessica Cage
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.0
I loved certain elements of this novel but the relationship between the characters felt forced for a while, the conflict felt trivial, and it went on way too long.
Individually the characters were awesome though and their relationship did grow to feel more substantial and of course Piko was everything!
I probably wouldn't want to read in this world again but I'd definitely try another novel by the author.
Individually the characters were awesome though and their relationship did grow to feel more substantial and of course Piko was everything!
I probably wouldn't want to read in this world again but I'd definitely try another novel by the author.
This is Where We Talk Things Out by Caitlin Marceau
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0
Miller why were you so stupid bestie? Seriously, don't give narcissistic folks second chances, they'll never deserve it. This was fucked, but it got me out of my 2 month reading slump, so I appreciate out of this story.
It was well written and the perfect length, but man was Miller an idiot. Poor Florence not knowing what could have happened to her fiance. Or maybe she rescues Miller and gives Sylvie what's coming to her.
It was well written and the perfect length, but man was Miller an idiot. Poor Florence not knowing what could have happened to her fiance. Or maybe she rescues Miller and gives Sylvie what's coming to her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent