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sarahweyand's reviews
378 reviews
We Kept Her in the Cellar by W.R. Gorman
dark
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
2.0
This was a weird cosmic horror that I read quickly and was interested by - a pretty intriguing adaptation. However this was hands-down the grossest book I've ever read. Absolutely queasy on my rides into work, which is a baffling in juxtaposition to its very simplistic YA writing style and Goodreads label. A plot-driven book with little character development, heavy on telling over showing that suddenly decides to get REAL descriptive whenever gore was involved. Also, I was constantly questioning character's choices (or lack of action and critical thinking).
At the end of the day - read this if you want to. Check the content warnings. But don't ever pretend I recommended it to you,
At the end of the day - read this if you want to. Check the content warnings. But don't ever pretend I recommended it to you,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Confinement
Minor: Excrement and Death of parent
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
Weird and unsettling and almost certainly better as a physical book than the audiobook I listened to. The majority of the story is dialogue and I missed out on lots trying to figure out who was speaking, as it often went unspecified and changed scenes rapidly. Intriguing though, would definitely read this author again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Child death
Moderate: Medical content
Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions by Jim McCloskey, John Grisham
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Honestly a really good book, but simply can’t do it in my current mental state.
Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
For someone who hates men and values mental health, Anna Marie Tendler does quite the job of basing her memoir off of all her relationships with men and not doing a lot of introspection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, and Eating disorder
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-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
4.0
certainly not a horror, but very strange, slightly haunting, and well written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, and Grief
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
4.25
Middle/high school me would have for sure rated this a 5; the characters are slightly more frustrating as an adult. Nonetheless, an interesting and important look at one of the less talked about sides of World War 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, and War
All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce
dark
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
2.75
I can't remember much about this book and that's probably because I zoned out for a lot of it. Interesting idea, mundane execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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
Best book of the year, easily. Still can't stop thinking about it; maybe I never will be able to. Not the lightest read but scary, informative, and captivating. A must-read if you're in the right headspace to do so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Similar vein to ROGUE but honestly I liked this one more. A creepy slow burn with just enough body horror to make me wince but not enough to make me feel like I needed a shower.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual assault, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Racism
Y/N by Esther Yi
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-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
1.75
Devastatingly overwritten, absurdist, and confusing. A book about a really interesting subject that seemed to be satire but took itself far too seriously. The sections of fanfiction could have been compelling but instead felt unnecessary. Should have taken a cue from the low rating but wanted to be optimistic; live and learn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Stalking