ristretto's reviews
441 reviews

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense 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

5.0

A Drop of Corruption was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and as expected it did not disappoint. This is the second book in a series that takes a murder mystery and sets in a fantasy world that’s Sherlock Holmes meets kaiju meets Attack on Titan.

This takes what made the first novel so great and expands on it. We learn more about Ana and Din, more about their motivations and hopes and secrets, while introducing new intriguing characters. The world is also further expanded and explored as Ana and Din are summoned to investigate another murder in a new location with a different culture and politics that they must quickly learn and adjust to.

I loved the super creepy body horror elements and threat of contamination which added a deep feeling of dread and tension. It’s something we got a taste of in the first book and when we encounter the full scope of what we are dealing with this time it’s truly terrifying. The development of Ana and Din’s characters and learning more about their past and motivations was something I was looking forward to and happy to see. The addition of the character Malo, she’s a whole mood and I love her, really gave weight to the stakes for the people of the Yarrow. Then there is the biological technology in these novels, which is fascinating and terrifying, and getting a deeper look at it through the shroud and the secrets within was another aspect I really enjoyed. The twists and turns revealing new dangers, the well constructed mystery, and deeper world building, all made this an amazing read I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait for the next installment and what it might bring!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce

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

3.75

Something in the Walls is a dark and atmospheric thriller with witchy vibes and small town horrors. We follow Mina an inexperienced child psychologist who stumbles into the chance to join a journalist to investigate the story of Alice, a teen who is said to be haunted by a witch. They travel to the small town of Banathel steeped in superstition and local legends of witchcraft. They encounter hagstones hung from doorways and insular townsfolk with secrets and a shared history. There is a growing frenzy among the towns people as they look to Alice to heal and solve their problems. As things escalate and the situation with Alice worsens, Mina must unearth the dark secrets of the town.

I love stories of local legends and the isolation that small towns harboring secrets have. The late 80’s setting and heatwave happening at the time really contribute to this feeling of oppressive atmosphere. And while I felt the transition to the ultimate conclusion works and is effective, there are a few loose ends plot holes left along the way. In particular there is a shift that happens in the story after a reveal which is chilling in it’s own right but I was left with so many questions especially to one particularly inexplicable event that happens shortly before that shift that just gets dropped. This is a gripping read that’s well paced and easy to fall into, just don’t look too deeply or you’ll notice the cracks in the story.

I think this would appeal to fans of Midsommar and The Wicker Man. Perfect for people looking for a creepy atmospheric read with mystery and secrets to uncover.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

The Sleeping Land by Ella Alexander

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

2.75

Initially, I was really excited to read this novel. I love the idea of an isolated research expedition, the potential claustrophobia and dangers that caves bring, and mysterious happenings and the suspense and tension that come with that.  I think somewhere in this novel there is a really interesting story to be told, but for me personally, it was not a good fit.

There were major issues with the pacing. At the halfway point, you get the first inkling that something is off and you think, "Ah, here we go!", but nothing really happens after that to build any sense of tension, not until very near the very end of the book. Even then, when we should be hitting the climax, it falls flat because the characters we have been following are really unlikeable; in fact, they all dislike each other. I couldn't feel anything for them.

On a positive note, the setting is really interesting. And at the very end, when the characters interact with each other and talk with each other as a group, there was a better dynamic than them being in their own thoughts hating each other. The mystery of the cave and the lore of the area also had potential that I wish was explored more.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

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

3.0

Black Butler, Vol. 22 by Yana Toboso

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adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Victorian Psycho is the story of a newly hired governess, Winifred Notty, who harbors a secret and some very dark impulses. She comes to work for the Pounds family, who are not as virtuous as they would like to appear.

What I love about Victorian Psycho is its unapologetic embrace of over-the-top horror in a Victorian setting, while also touching on themes of inequality and misogyny. Winifred, our anti heroine, is delightfully unhinged, and I found myself both horrified and amused by her grotesque antics. This is also a great holiday read, taking us all the way through the twelve days of Christmas with a climax that was absolutely sending me!! I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting through the night.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I Hold a Wolf by the Ears: Stories by Laura van den Berg

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

5.0