Scan barcode
bkwrm1317's reviews
216 reviews
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
SGJ does it again. Glad he waited until he had the right protag for this novel, Jade is killer. Very much looking forward to the next in the series.
Jade is a little rebel just trying to survive her small Idaho town on a lake. There’s a camp on the lake with history (of course there is, this is a slasher after all), and some new homes being built by wealthy across the lake stirring things up.
The ways this slasher unfolds will keep you guessing though, as it pulls you down deeper into the mythos and history of the genre.
Jade is a little rebel just trying to survive her small Idaho town on a lake. There’s a camp on the lake with history (of course there is, this is a slasher after all), and some new homes being built by wealthy across the lake stirring things up.
The ways this slasher unfolds will keep you guessing though, as it pulls you down deeper into the mythos and history of the genre.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
Really loved some of the reflections on what it means to be human, why we insist on finding a purpose for ourselves, etc but it took most of the novella to get there. Solid, just not my fave (yet) but I’ll read the second Novella to see where we go with Dex and Mosscap.
Infomocracy by Malka Older
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Picked this up for a reading challenge and realized it was written by the sibling of one of my fave contemporary SFF (mostly YA) writers (Daniel José Older). In a future not too far from our own, microdemocracy is being tested out, where governments are not defined by geopolitical borders, but instead by groups of 100k individuals. A great political thriller with lots of suspense and intrigue, with a who-dunnit-esque approach to some of the plotline.
I'll likely continue the series, as I believe the second book has already been released.
I'll likely continue the series, as I believe the second book has already been released.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Not my favorite by Chambers, but could be due to it being a SF novella instead of novel? Loved the concept of folks in crowd-funded/community-funded space travel/space programs for the sake of learning and knowledge. Chambers writes her characters so well that you feel their despair, their hope, their joy, their sorrow. This novella is no different, even if wasn’t my top pick from her.
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
What a retelling of this epic from a feminist, femme centric perspective. Kaikeyi captivated me as I followed her journey from a young horse riding woman onto marriage, the battlefield, and motherhood, as she manages her magic and the times she lives in.
Saga: Compendium One by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Duckett & Dyer: Dicks For Hire by G.M. Nair
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Was offered a copy of this novel by the author in exchange for a review. Many thanks to GM Nair! I’m a big supporter of indie authors, and no exception here.
While not entirely my speed, this novel (and perhaps series!) would be a good fit for folks who enjoy light hearted sci-fi might with themes of time travel, friendship, and generally ridiculous scenarios (think cow people and the like). I appreciate the opportunity to read, and will share a review on Amazon as well to support the author!
There were a couple of jokes I struggled with, but that’s likely personal taste at issue.
While not entirely my speed, this novel (and perhaps series!) would be a good fit for folks who enjoy light hearted sci-fi might with themes of time travel, friendship, and generally ridiculous scenarios (think cow people and the like). I appreciate the opportunity to read, and will share a review on Amazon as well to support the author!
There were a couple of jokes I struggled with, but that’s likely personal taste at issue.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore and Xenophobia
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Great debut thriller/horror novel that will make you afraid of the woods and the dark. You think you heard something?
No you didn’t. Blending supernatural and cultural horrors of what it means to live in this country right now, particularly for Black and Brown folks, the reader is faced with the horrors of this country’s basis in wealth and racial inequity. The central through line ringing loud in the readers’ mind is and should be: how is it that women of color, Black women in this instance, go missing without anyone blinking an eye?
Inventive, haunting, and original, great debut by Adams.
No you didn’t. Blending supernatural and cultural horrors of what it means to live in this country right now, particularly for Black and Brown folks, the reader is faced with the horrors of this country’s basis in wealth and racial inequity. The central through line ringing loud in the readers’ mind is and should be: how is it that women of color, Black women in this instance, go missing without anyone blinking an eye?
Inventive, haunting, and original, great debut by Adams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death
Minor: Sexual violence
Paper Girls, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Very interesting start to the Paper Girls saga. I'll be looking forward to reading more in Vol 2.
Four paper girls in 1988 connect as the world begins to not resemble anything they know. Dinousaurs flying out of portals in the sky, interstellar/futuristic teens also fighting for themselves, and some interstellar/future elders trying to get young women to behave who have no intention to.
Four paper girls in 1988 connect as the world begins to not resemble anything they know. Dinousaurs flying out of portals in the sky, interstellar/futuristic teens also fighting for themselves, and some interstellar/future elders trying to get young women to behave who have no intention to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy wow. I did not expect this from a debut. Hashem is about to be a name on SFF readers’ lips for quite some time to come.
Hashem writes complex, nuanced, real characters who do not easily follow tropes. She also keeps the reader guessing about what turn is coming around the next corner. Quite a page turner, I will definitely be recommending this one far and wide.
Honored that I got to moderate a panel with her on it during 2023 Indie Ink Awards conference.
Hashem writes complex, nuanced, real characters who do not easily follow tropes. She also keeps the reader guessing about what turn is coming around the next corner. Quite a page turner, I will definitely be recommending this one far and wide.
Honored that I got to moderate a panel with her on it during 2023 Indie Ink Awards conference.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual violence
Mild CWs are referenced/referred to briefly, but are not a main component of the story.