littleredmacks's reviews
472 reviews

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Dracula’s bride 
Letter format 
Lyrical writing 
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR WAS PHENOMENAL 
 
This book explores power dynamics, manipulation, gaslighting, manufactured consent, and how hard it is to leave these abusive relationships. 
 
The author is very intentional with their word choices and it shows and it has an impact on the context and the way you understand the relationship. 
 
  And one thing I love about this book, is even though she is Dracula’s bride, we never hear his name. And she says, and I quote “You did not let me keep my name, so I will strip you of yours.”
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
This was such a quick and powerful listen. 
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

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emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

First of all, to whoever added this to the SAPPHIC book requirement in the Diverse Baseline Reading Challenge, I hope your pillow is never cold. I went into this expecting a sapphic romance, and let me tell you, that was not what I got. There’s a sapphic side pairing, but it’s so minimal that I don’t think it qualifies as a sapphic romance. So, yeah, my expectations were a little skewed.

That being said, I loved this book. Even if someone lied about it being a sapphic romance. As a former dancer, that was what initially intrigued me about the story, but I was completely unprepared for how much it would SHATTER my heart. The characters were so real that when I put the book down, I honestly felt like I lost them.

This book tackles love and loss in such a beautiful way. I remember the turning point for me because I had to rewind it several times, just to make sure I heard what I thought I heard.

My favorite quote from the book is: “If you get very, very lucky in this life, then you get to love another person so hard and so completely that when you lose them it rips you apart. I think the pain is the proof of a life well lived and well loved.”

And if I'm not being pressured to pick just one then this one too: “The problem with broken hearts isn’t that they kill you, it’s that they don’t.”

Even though this wasn’t at all what I expected, it’s a story I’ll never forget.
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The premise of this book had so much potential, especially once you know the secrets of both main characters. However, the execution left a bit to be desired. The connection between the characters felt superficial, driven mostly by lust, and I found their personalities to be pretty bland. They mostly fit the stereotypes they were meant to represent, which was disappointing.

The middle of the story really dragged, and the spice, while present, was just meh at best. I did enjoy the clever tie-in with the Loch Ness monster and loved the Scottish history throughout. However, I felt that the characters needed more depth to truly carry the weight of the story.
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars

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funny hopeful 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

This book is fluff with depth. The main character goes through an incredible journey of self-discovery, and I really enjoyed watching them grow. However, I do wish the love interest had been developed more from the start. It felt like his depth was only revealed toward the end, and I think it would’ve been stronger if we had a deeper understanding of him earlier.

The cringy moments throughout, especially at the beginning, had me laughing and covering my face in secondhand embarrassment (like, why did we think throwing our keys at a window was a good idea?). But even with those awkward moments are a big part of why this story was so incredibly fun. 

I absolutely loved how Noah came into his own and found confidence in his identity. Realizing that he can be a boy and still enjoy things like dance without anyone who matters batting an eye was such an important and affirming part of his journey.
We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance by Kellie Carter Jackson

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
American education tends to gloss over so much history, especially when it comes to people of color (and clearly we only seem to be getting worse). This book dismantles the oversimplified, whitewashed narratives we’re often taught and presents and unfiltered look at Black resistance. 

We are often taught, indirectly, that when it comes to violent vs nonviolent resistance there is a right way and a wrong way and only certain people will ever be entitled to violent resistance. However, the author shows how violence is necessary for self-defense and survival, backing it up with incredible research and sharp analysis. The pacing was strong, and every chapter had something that made me stop and really sit with what I’d just learned.

The audiobook, read by the author by the way, was phenomenal. You can hear the emotion in her voice, making the experience even more powerful. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone wanting a deeper, more honest understanding of history.
Carefree Black Girls: A Celebration of Black Women in Pop Culture by Zeba Blay

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emotional informative reflective fast-paced
This book? Phenomenal. I seriously cannot recommend it enough. It was such a thoughtful, well-researched deep dive into the way Black women show up in pop culture, and I learned so much while reading it. It wasn’t always an easy read—Blay doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff—but it was absolutely necessary.

Her voice is what really made this book stand out and I am so glad I chose to listen to it on audio. She weaves in personal experiences with larger cultural analysis in a way that makes everything hit even harder.
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

One of the novel’s strongest aspects is its disability representation. Verónica’s disability is not framed as something to overcome or as a source of inspiration for others—it simply is. The book provides an intimate look into living with hip dysplasia, highlighting both the physical realities and the way others perceive visible disabilities. This nuanced portrayal makes Verónica’s journey feel all the more authentic and relatable. 

Also, as a fan of The Little Mermaid, I loved the mermaid performance aspect of the story. However, the reality of working for a company that was unprepared to accommodate a disabled performer (given several actions on management's part) was frustrating but realistic.

While the main storyline was compelling, the romance subplot felt rushed and somewhat unnecessary. Verónica and Alex’s relationship didn’t feel fully developed, and I would have been just as satisfied (if not more so) if they had remained friends instead, or if the romance had only just started budding at the end of the story. There were times that he stepped up and was there for her (which made it feel rushed) and I would have loved to see her best friend and sister step into that role given how close they were. 

The novel’s ending felt abrupt. Given how rigid Verónica’s parents were throughout the book, their sudden change of heart felt unearned and too convenient compared to the emotional struggles that led up to it (which were well thought out and realistic).

Overall this book contains an honest portrayal of life with a disability that I would recommend. 
Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

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adventurous dark 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

3.0

I'm actually enjoying this reread quite a bit. I haven't read these since middle school. 
Inferno by Dante Alighieri

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challenging dark slow-paced

2.0

I read this for Katabasis but I honestly hated every minute of it. 2 stars because maybe it's the translation I'm not vibing with, but I'm not reading another to figure it out.