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natreviews's reviews
420 reviews
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So... I don't know what I just read. It started out really compelling, then in the final third just went off the rails. I really don't understand what just happened. I don't get it. After I finish writing this review, I'm going to look up an explanation for the ending.
Before the final act, it was good. The scary bits were super intense and played on my anxieties fears right away. Other than that, the book was really boring and was just people talking with nothing really going on. Then in the final act (a.k.a. the school) things just... stopped. Like, it stopped making sense. I really am confused as to what actually happened.
Before the final act, it was good. The scary bits were super intense and played on my anxieties fears right away. Other than that, the book was really boring and was just people talking with nothing really going on. Then in the final act (a.k.a. the school) things just... stopped. Like, it stopped making sense. I really am confused as to what actually happened.
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Originally I picked this up for the cover. It's an amazingly beautiful cover and I am sometimes the person that does judge a book by it's cover before reading the story. This one was worth it.
I loved how not only did it focus on the perspectives of those in Troy, but those in Greece, blaming and not blaming both sides in the war. It's amazing how each perspective was written, different enough that each character had their own distinct voice, but similar to not break the flow of reading.
An excellent read that more people should pick up.
I loved how not only did it focus on the perspectives of those in Troy, but those in Greece, blaming and not blaming both sides in the war. It's amazing how each perspective was written, different enough that each character had their own distinct voice, but similar to not break the flow of reading.
An excellent read that more people should pick up.
Supermarket by Bobby Hall
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay. So this book.
First, I saw the twist come right away. That's not a bad thing, but it was super predictable. By the end of the third chapter I knew what the twist was. This is because if you're familiar with the plot line and have seen any movie or read a book with the same plot line, it is super obvious.
The writing was a bit everywhere. You would have fourth wall breaks and the character was such a Nice Guy TM that he wasn't lovable, just okay most of the time and a dick the rest of the time.
I will say, the last line saved this book from being rated a 2.75. It did still the ending from <spoilers>Inception, where you don't know if they made it out or not</spoilers>, but it made sense and worked for the ending of this novel.
The last thing I'm going to say is that this dude didn't do any research into schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder (used to be referred to as multiple personality disorder, and is referred to as that in the book), and bipolar disorder. It's super obvious in how he writes <spoilers>the delusions and how long they last, plus what having multiple identities actually is like and how it works</spoilers> that he did no research. I mean if you're going to have those featured in your novel, you walk the extremally fine line of misrepresentation. This novel stepped about five steps over that line.
I originally picked it up since I thought it was a cool concept, I liked how it reminded me of the show Superstore, but I'd skip out on this one.
First, I saw the twist come right away. That's not a bad thing, but it was super predictable. By the end of the third chapter I knew what the twist was. This is because if you're familiar with the plot line and have seen any movie or read a book with the same plot line, it is super obvious.
The writing was a bit everywhere. You would have fourth wall breaks and the character was such a Nice Guy TM that he wasn't lovable, just okay most of the time and a dick the rest of the time.
I will say, the last line saved this book from being rated a 2.75. It did still the ending from <spoilers>Inception, where you don't know if they made it out or not</spoilers>, but it made sense and worked for the ending of this novel.
The last thing I'm going to say is that this dude didn't do any research into schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder (used to be referred to as multiple personality disorder, and is referred to as that in the book), and bipolar disorder. It's super obvious in how he writes <spoilers>the delusions and how long they last, plus what having multiple identities actually is like and how it works</spoilers> that he did no research. I mean if you're going to have those featured in your novel, you walk the extremally fine line of misrepresentation. This novel stepped about five steps over that line.
I originally picked it up since I thought it was a cool concept, I liked how it reminded me of the show Superstore, but I'd skip out on this one.
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So another BookTok recommendation. I found this on a video labelled most disturbing books I've ever read and thought I would give it a go. To be honest, I didn't find it too disturbing. Pretty much, if you know the more gruesome details of the Jeffery Dahmer case (including pictures, I highly recommend the Murderous Minds episode on Dahmer) then you can handle this book. Speaking of, Dahmer was a huge inspiration for this story. Without going into too many details from the book, you have the picture taking, younger victim pool, PoC as victims, cannibalism aspects, plus an entire short scene that is pretty much straight from one victims account. (If you want to know the exact victims situation that got translated into this book, the victims name is Konerak Sinthasomphone)
It's told from four different perspectives. Three third-person, one first. Two murderers, one victim, and one the victims ex-lover. It was really interesting to read it this way. It was an interesting stylistic choice that actually ended up working. With also having the background set in 1990's New Orleans during the AIDs crisis, it's an interesting read just from a historical standpoint.
I will give you the warning that you will need to read the last 60-100 pages in one sitting. On the final day/night the book takes place, it really ramps up and is just better in one sitting.
I gave this book a 5/5 not only for the story (because even though it's extremally disturbing, it still is a good story), but for how it's written. It's a read that is worth it if you can handle it, but, like Tender is the Flesh, is a book that I don't think I will read again. Once was enough in my opinion.
It's told from four different perspectives. Three third-person, one first. Two murderers, one victim, and one the victims ex-lover. It was really interesting to read it this way. It was an interesting stylistic choice that actually ended up working. With also having the background set in 1990's New Orleans during the AIDs crisis, it's an interesting read just from a historical standpoint.
I will give you the warning that you will need to read the last 60-100 pages in one sitting. On the final day/night the book takes place, it really ramps up and is just better in one sitting.
I gave this book a 5/5 not only for the story (because even though it's extremally disturbing, it still is a good story), but for how it's written. It's a read that is worth it if you can handle it, but, like Tender is the Flesh, is a book that I don't think I will read again. Once was enough in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK! This was another BookTok recommendation, and I'm so happy I followed up on it.
It's a Victorian/Regency era (not 100% sure which) sapphic scientific story. It is written brilliantly and it will captivate you from page 1. The plot twist at the end of the book was amazing and unexpected.
I know Olivia Waite has written 2 other books in this series so far (all standalone books, but all Victorian/Regency sapphic stories) and I honestly can't wat to read them. This book was very well written. I also thought romance novels weren't for me, but maybe it was just heteronormative romance novels.
For queer romance novels, I'm also thinking of letting you know if it's a Happy Ending or Bury Your Gays (a trope that was started in the early 1900's for same-sex relationship novels to be published; by publisher request the characters at the end had to either die, realize they were straight, or break up at the end. The first major publication to go against this was The Price of Salt or Carol). So...
Happy Ending or Bury Your Gays:I'm happy to report it is a Happy Ending
It's a Victorian/Regency era (not 100% sure which) sapphic scientific story. It is written brilliantly and it will captivate you from page 1. The plot twist at the end of the book was amazing and unexpected.
I know Olivia Waite has written 2 other books in this series so far (all standalone books, but all Victorian/Regency sapphic stories) and I honestly can't wat to read them. This book was very well written. I also thought romance novels weren't for me, but maybe it was just heteronormative romance novels.
For queer romance novels, I'm also thinking of letting you know if it's a Happy Ending or Bury Your Gays (a trope that was started in the early 1900's for same-sex relationship novels to be published; by publisher request the characters at the end had to either die, realize they were straight, or break up at the end. The first major publication to go against this was The Price of Salt or Carol). So...
Happy Ending or Bury Your Gays:
Permanent Record by Edward Snowden
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Tbh, I don't want to read about his life story, just what he did.
Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me: Depression in the First Person by Anna Mehler Paperny
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
I picked this book up for one specific reason, the title. It described how I feel/felt when I saw it. I wanted to know how to be fixed, what I could do, etc. That's not what I got.
Instead, I got to dive more into depression from another point of view. The first section of this book dives into Anna's own experience with depression and her time in a psych ward. The following four sections shows what's being done to treat depression, some of the barriers for people to get treated, and much more.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves someone with depression and wants to understand more. I would also recommend this to anyone who just wants to learn more about depression. For me, the section that gripped me the most was the first. Knowing what depression is like for me, I really appreciated seeing someone else with it. I wasn't looking for all of the knowledge about how to treat depression or some of the physical and social barriers, but found that information interesting.
Overall, it's a good book, and one I will keep on my shelf, but may not read again.
Instead, I got to dive more into depression from another point of view. The first section of this book dives into Anna's own experience with depression and her time in a psych ward. The following four sections shows what's being done to treat depression, some of the barriers for people to get treated, and much more.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves someone with depression and wants to understand more. I would also recommend this to anyone who just wants to learn more about depression. For me, the section that gripped me the most was the first. Knowing what depression is like for me, I really appreciated seeing someone else with it. I wasn't looking for all of the knowledge about how to treat depression or some of the physical and social barriers, but found that information interesting.
Overall, it's a good book, and one I will keep on my shelf, but may not read again.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
I really don't like the writing style.
Unwrap My Heart: or It's Time For Mummies by Alex Falcone, Ezra Fox
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Okay! This book! For context, I first saw this book on TikTok with one of the authors (I think Alex?) talking about the book, and how when the big supernatural love story craze (i.e. Twilight) was happening how he and his friends were like mummies are gonna happen right? They never did, so him and his friend Ezra decided to make one.
It is the perfect mix of sappy teenage love story, a book that is self aware and uses all the tropes, and a parody all at the same time. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Does it riff on mainly Twilight by basically stealing the entire plot outline? Also yes (btw, I highly recommend those who've read Twilight to read this, as you will laugh at how similar it is). It's the perfect blend of being self aware while also still being within it's own genre.
5/5 mummies did in fact happen.
It is the perfect mix of sappy teenage love story, a book that is self aware and uses all the tropes, and a parody all at the same time. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Does it riff on mainly Twilight by basically stealing the entire plot outline? Also yes (btw, I highly recommend those who've read Twilight to read this, as you will laugh at how similar it is). It's the perfect blend of being self aware while also still being within it's own genre.
5/5 mummies did in fact happen.
Who Goes There?: The Novella That Formed the Basis of the Thing by John W. Campbell Jr.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I enjoyed this book. I love the Carpenter film, and found out it was based on this book. Did I fully understand it? No. It was written in the 1930's, and I haven't read a lot of science fiction from those years. I was able to follow the plot enough to know what was happening though.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.