Scan barcode
vicktorea's reviews
443 reviews
Crown of Darkness by Bec McMaster
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
3.5
This was fine. I liked the rom-commy/cozy mystery vibes but it was nothing groundbreaking. I also though Finlay was dumb at times but whatever!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
wow. a literal Black epic!
this was so fantastic! i loved the deep dive into Black history and learning the deep roots of the characters! i felt so deeply connected to them - i laughed with them, grieved with them, felt their anger and frustrations and also felt moments of anger and frustration towards them.
This was looong but everything was interwoven and came together beautifully! A very memorable read!
I listened to the audio for this via Hoopla and really enjoyed the narration!
I urge to check the CWs for this - there are many! Some of the most notable being: rape, (child/domestic/physical/emotional) abuse, /pedophilia/molestation, racism, slavery. The author does not shy away from depicting the realistic historical mistreatment of Black people (particularly young, Black, female slaves).
this was so fantastic! i loved the deep dive into Black history and learning the deep roots of the characters! i felt so deeply connected to them - i laughed with them, grieved with them, felt their anger and frustrations and also felt moments of anger and frustration towards them.
This was looong but everything was interwoven and came together beautifully! A very memorable read!
I listened to the audio for this via Hoopla and really enjoyed the narration!
I urge to check the CWs for this - there are many! Some of the most notable being: rape, (child/domestic/physical/emotional) abuse, /pedophilia/molestation, racism, slavery. The author does not shy away from depicting the realistic historical mistreatment of Black people (particularly young, Black, female slaves).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
The Forsaken King by Penelope Barsetti
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
liked the plot, hated the writing
The story itself was interesting. My attention was held, I was intrigued to see how things would play out! i liked the main characters for the most part!
the writing was just so...ick. Not always, but for the majority of the book. These characters couldn't have been living in modern times (they called their pants breeches ffs), so why are they using phrases like "took it like a champ"? why are they calling each other "baby" like "you're my baby". The use of idioms were just too modern for the time the setting appeared to be set in and it irked me enough that it took me out of the story.
The relationship between the MMC and FMC progressed a little too quickly for me. For someone who supposedly hated the FMC (and had pretty valid reasons to - her family are pieces of shit), the MMC developed feelings for her pretty quickly after sleeping with her a few times (maybe even one time). The smut was good but omg how many times did the FMC have to remind us how BIG and HUGE the MMC's dick was. like we get it. it got repetitive, which then got annoying.
I liked that the MMC stood on his morals and did the right thing when put in tough situations by his family members and i liked that the FMC really had to acknowledge how privileged she was for being born into (essentially) royalty.
Despite my criticism, i did enjoy the story so I'll pick up book two and cross my fingers that the author's writing improves
The story itself was interesting. My attention was held, I was intrigued to see how things would play out! i liked the main characters for the most part!
the writing was just so...ick. Not always, but for the majority of the book. These characters couldn't have been living in modern times (they called their pants breeches ffs), so why are they using phrases like "took it like a champ"? why are they calling each other "baby" like "you're my baby". The use of idioms were just too modern for the time the setting appeared to be set in and it irked me enough that it took me out of the story.
The relationship between the MMC and FMC progressed a little too quickly for me. For someone who supposedly hated the FMC (and had pretty valid reasons to - her family are pieces of shit), the MMC developed feelings for her pretty quickly after sleeping with her a few times (maybe even one time). The smut was good but omg how many times did the FMC have to remind us how BIG and HUGE the MMC's dick was. like we get it. it got repetitive, which then got annoying.
I liked that the MMC stood on his morals and did the right thing when put in tough situations by his family members and i liked that the FMC really had to acknowledge how privileged she was for being born into (essentially) royalty.
Despite my criticism, i did enjoy the story so I'll pick up book two and cross my fingers that the author's writing improves
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and Kidnapping
Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman
dark
emotional
sad
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
2.0
depressing, disappointing and (pretentiously) dark
these girls needed help. like I would’ve called them dumb (they did do stupid things to seem ✨edgy✨) but it was just so clear their mental health was at the bottom of the barrel and bc this was set in the 90s, no one cared about that.
I really disliked the religious / satanic allegory - it felt pointless and, again, pretentious. Same with all the Kurt Cobain shit. Like it felt like the author either tried to to make Lacy’s life reflective of his (perhaps bc she was so obsessed with him) it it was the only iconic idol of the 90s they could think of.
The ending for this could’ve made this a three-star read but ofc Hannah (“Dex”) (& the author) made the predictable decision.
The whole time i was reading this I was like this feels like one of those dark, depressing books from 2000s about fucked up girls we used to love to read (for what reason we used to love reading them remains unanswered).
2⭐️ for the pacing - I was actually curious and wanted to know how this would end (turns out it was in eye-rolling-induced disappointment).
these girls needed help. like I would’ve called them dumb (they did do stupid things to seem ✨edgy✨) but it was just so clear their mental health was at the bottom of the barrel and bc this was set in the 90s, no one cared about that.
I really disliked the religious / satanic allegory - it felt pointless and, again, pretentious. Same with all the Kurt Cobain shit. Like it felt like the author either tried to to make Lacy’s life reflective of his (perhaps bc she was so obsessed with him) it it was the only iconic idol of the 90s they could think of.
The ending for this could’ve made this a three-star read but ofc Hannah (“Dex”) (& the author) made the predictable decision.
The whole time i was reading this I was like this feels like one of those dark, depressing books from 2000s about fucked up girls we used to love to read (for what reason we used to love reading them remains unanswered).
2⭐️ for the pacing - I was actually curious and wanted to know how this would end (turns out it was in eye-rolling-induced disappointment).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Praying for Rain by BB Easton
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
southern accents from narrators who aren't from the south aren't the wave
the MMC's narrator was AWFULLLL when he was voicing the parts of the FMC (who had a southern accent) - like why would the author approve this; there's no way she listened and thought "hey this sounds great!".
The FMC's narrations was bearable but the accent was still annoying.
anyway, to the plot! This felt like a social commentary on the government/large institutions feeding us subliminal msgs and we, as consumers, just take it at face value. I wouldn't have minded this but the way it was revealed felt so contrived, especially since that theme was basically (blatantly) stated and not alluded to or left for the reader to come to that realization on their own.
After reading Devil of Dublin and now this, I'm realizing this author really likes her trauma bonds and this isn't the type of toxicity i like in my romances - it always leaves me wondering if they would've loved (even liked?) each other had they not had traumatic experiences. The insta-love was also giving me the ick (i know, i know the world was ending and i tried to give them that - but again, if it wasn't - would they have been in love? prob not).
These characters also felt very YA, it's a NA book but the way they spoke and (re)acted felt juvenile.
i bought the series off audible for just 1 credit (thank god), but i don't feel compelled enough to continue and I'm not sure how i feel about Easton's writing...i may give her one last change on another novel but we'll see.
3 ⭐️(although I'd give the narration 2).
the MMC's narrator was AWFULLLL when he was voicing the parts of the FMC (who had a southern accent) - like why would the author approve this; there's no way she listened and thought "hey this sounds great!".
The FMC's narrations was bearable but the accent was still annoying.
anyway, to the plot! This felt like a social commentary on the government/large institutions feeding us subliminal msgs and we, as consumers, just take it at face value. I wouldn't have minded this but the way it was revealed felt so contrived, especially since that theme was basically (blatantly) stated and not alluded to or left for the reader to come to that realization on their own.
After reading Devil of Dublin and now this, I'm realizing this author really likes her trauma bonds and this isn't the type of toxicity i like in my romances - it always leaves me wondering if they would've loved (even liked?) each other had they not had traumatic experiences. The insta-love was also giving me the ick (i know, i know the world was ending and i tried to give them that - but again, if it wasn't - would they have been in love? prob not).
These characters also felt very YA, it's a NA book but the way they spoke and (re)acted felt juvenile.
i bought the series off audible for just 1 credit (thank god), but i don't feel compelled enough to continue and I'm not sure how i feel about Easton's writing...i may give her one last change on another novel but we'll see.
3 ⭐️(although I'd give the narration 2).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, and Drug use
Run on Red by Noelle W. Ihli
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
when will we as a society do away with frats and sororities??
Pretty good! However, for something that was tag-lined to have a "killer twist", I was hoping for (& expected) more from the plot. There wasn't really a twist at all.To me, a twist would've meant one of the friends was in on the plan (which is what I thought was going to happen the entire time and while I'm glad [for the sake of the characters] that it played out differently, I was left waiting for a promised twist that was never delivered).
I hated that one of the perpetrators died (that's never a good enough comeuppance for me) but the epilogue left me feeling satisfied. Overall, this was good - the tone and setting were very atmospheric and creepy, which I loved and the fast pace kept me needing to know what would happen next!
A low (but still deserved) 4 star read!
Pretty good! However, for something that was tag-lined to have a "killer twist", I was hoping for (& expected) more from the plot. There wasn't really a twist at all.
A low (but still deserved) 4 star read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Rape
Devil of Dublin by BB Easton
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
audiobook narration made (& broke) it for me
PLEASE CHECK THE CWs/TWS for this before reading - I believe the author provides them on her website!
okay we're doing one of these breakdown reviews today:
what I liked
-the male narration was chef's kiss, simply bc of the accent - droolfest 🤤
-came with CW (this is kinda bare minimum now - like this should be something authors provide automatically - but I liked that the author provided a website for people to go to if they wanted to check in-depth CWs so as to not potentially spoil the plot for others who don't need CWs. i also liked that she provided helplines for those who may need them).
-the overall plot/setting - I feel like the author did a good job setting the tone and atmosphere, esp with the Irish setting. I can't quite explain what I'm trying to say but I liked the vibes I was getting. The plot also shed light upon some very serious and sad issues. It was a bit difficult and times listening to what happened to the characters in the past but it felt like care and attention was put into this, which I appreciated.
-i loved the MMC. damaged to the bone but I also loved that the author wrote him as emotional as he was. he openly cried at times and that feels like such a rare occurrence so I appreciated it - it really humanized him and I liked feeling the vulnerability from him.
-the epilogue (surprisingly) - thank GOD there was no dreaded (for me) pregnancy trope!!! it actually showed the two characters doing their best to heal from their traumas and not just magically living happily ever after.
- the bitchass (ex) bf was done and dusted fairly early on!! i was nervous i'd have to sit through several chapters of his nonsense before he was finally taken out
what I didn't like
- the fmc at times - she was always calling herself useless and worthless and while I get where those feelings were coming from she'd say this about herself for situations out of her control. i also didn't like her narration - it sounded too juvenile but the narrator did a great job at the Irish accents (I couldn't tell which accent [American vs Irish] was her real accent).
- the pacing - it was a bit off for me. there's a time jump and the MMC and FMC are reunited fairly quickly and it's just them together for a while trying to navigate what to do with their lives.
overall, a good read! i didn't love it but def enjoyed aspects of it! excited to try Praying For Rain by this author next!
PLEASE CHECK THE CWs/TWS for this before reading - I believe the author provides them on her website!
okay we're doing one of these breakdown reviews today:
what I liked
-the male narration was chef's kiss, simply bc of the accent - droolfest 🤤
-came with CW (this is kinda bare minimum now - like this should be something authors provide automatically - but I liked that the author provided a website for people to go to if they wanted to check in-depth CWs so as to not potentially spoil the plot for others who don't need CWs. i also liked that she provided helplines for those who may need them).
-the overall plot/setting - I feel like the author did a good job setting the tone and atmosphere, esp with the Irish setting. I can't quite explain what I'm trying to say but I liked the vibes I was getting. The plot also shed light upon some very serious and sad issues. It was a bit difficult and times listening to what happened to the characters in the past but it felt like care and attention was put into this, which I appreciated.
-i loved the MMC. damaged to the bone but I also loved that the author wrote him as emotional as he was. he openly cried at times and that feels like such a rare occurrence so I appreciated it - it really humanized him and I liked feeling the vulnerability from him.
-the epilogue (surprisingly) - thank GOD there was no dreaded (for me) pregnancy trope!!! it actually showed the two characters doing their best to heal from their traumas and not just magically living happily ever after.
- the bitchass (ex) bf was done and dusted fairly early on!! i was nervous i'd have to sit through several chapters of his nonsense before he was finally taken out
what I didn't like
- the fmc at times - she was always calling herself useless and worthless and while I get where those feelings were coming from she'd say this about herself for situations out of her control. i also didn't like her narration - it sounded too juvenile but the narrator did a great job at the Irish accents (I couldn't tell which accent [American vs Irish] was her real accent).
- the pacing - it was a bit off for me. there's a time jump and the MMC and FMC are reunited fairly quickly and it's just them together for a while trying to navigate what to do with their lives.
overall, a good read! i didn't love it but def enjoyed aspects of it! excited to try Praying For Rain by this author next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping
Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.0
as my baby zayn said on pillowtalk: "fucking & fighting"
& that's basically all the MCs did.
This was just okay. the smut was fun and I didn't hate but i def didn't love it either. I'm diagnosing it with a classic case of "middle book syndrome" - basically bridging the gap between what happened and what's to come. While I enjoyed the narration for this audiobook, i found my self zoning out because my interest just wasn't being held. The ending felt a bit rushed but I do like the characters and series enough to continue and look forward to book 3!
& that's basically all the MCs did.
This was just okay. the smut was fun and I didn't hate but i def didn't love it either. I'm diagnosing it with a classic case of "middle book syndrome" - basically bridging the gap between what happened and what's to come. While I enjoyed the narration for this audiobook, i found my self zoning out because my interest just wasn't being held. The ending felt a bit rushed but I do like the characters and series enough to continue and look forward to book 3!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Rape