readrebelrevolt's reviews
55 reviews

Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I will start by saying I haven’t read If We Were Villains so this is my first M.L. Rio experience. I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. I got to the end and thought I had missed something because nothing really happens…I think I expected more of a punch at the end because it is a novella but it just kind of fell flat for me. None of the characters really stood out (I understand that due to the length we can have full character development), I found myself unable to distinguish them, and I listened to the audiobook. I did enjoy the setting and the atmosphere immensely, so much so that I wish I could rate the story and execution higher…

I will say though, I am not deterred from reading IWWV based on this because I see so much potential in the way she writes and I have heard very good things!
Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia by Kate Manne

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

An intersectional analysis on fat phobia and diet culture, with deeply thought provoking personal anecdotes. 
McGlue by Ottessa Moshfegh

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A raw, gritty, brief character portrait of McGlue. Otessa Moshfegh writes so viscerally and brutally. This will not be for everyone but it got me. 
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Dear Fatty by Dawn French

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emotional funny informative lighthearted sad medium-paced

3.75

A very enjoyable read!
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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? No

5.0

I knew from the first chapter this was going to be a 5 ⭐️ read. I was emotionally attached to the characters and their journeys from the very beginning. Well written and thought provoking with a very interesting magic system! Highly recommend!
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Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett

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adventurous funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

A very whimsical story! I really liked Rincewind, he kind of gave me Rosencrantz and Guildenstern vibes in that he is very much a fool and reluctant protagonist of the Discworld. 
Brutes by Dizz Tate

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The prose and imagery was beautiful however with shifting POV’s alongside a past vs present format it got pretty confusing and I found myself struggling to stay on plot. I do like the way the author attempted to convey the hive mind of a young friend group amidst themes of misogyny, masculinity, poverty and abuse (the girls referred to as Brutes because they misbehave or act outside of conventional femininity). 
Overall it was ok but fell a little flat for me because it was so difficult to follow. 
The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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? No

3.5

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Another enjoyable mystery! This one (it explicitly states) is very much an Agatha Christie vibe with a great twist at the end!