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bkwrm1317's reviews
213 reviews
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
A truly solid read by Ibáñez. That ending though! What!? How!? I need more!!!
Loved the plucky Inez, her cousin, her uncle, Abdullah his brother in law, and of course Whit.
Not often does a novel of this kind surprise me with a plot twist, but Ibáñez managed to do so. I’ll be reading more from her soon, I’m sure.
I loved the balance of ancient Egypt with a magical system that actually felt unique, with glimpses into the past.
Loved the plucky Inez, her cousin, her uncle, Abdullah his brother in law, and of course Whit.
Not often does a novel of this kind surprise me with a plot twist, but Ibáñez managed to do so. I’ll be reading more from her soon, I’m sure.
I loved the balance of ancient Egypt with a magical system that actually felt unique, with glimpses into the past.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Interesting little horror novel by Chupeco (which they do fairly well for my tastes!). This one feels a bit like folk horror across the seas but definitely enjoyed!
The World's End by Rin Chupeco
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? No
3.5
Solid close to Chupeco’s series that brought so many fairy tales from so many different cultures into one world for our rag tag group of found fam.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? No
3.0
Solid middle of the line read for me. Listened to this as an audiobook. Good little mystery that continues to unfold and great for road trip driving.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Solid read/listen. Nothing like the film 🤣
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
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
4.5
Really solid start of the mist born series!! Loved the character development, worldbuilding, and magic system based in metals - allomancy. I’ll be very much looking forward to where the series takes Vin, Kelsier’s crew, and Elend as he tries to make their society better for everyone. In particular, Vin and Sazed (and maybe with some help from Marsh!) as they try to discern what the Deepness is and what happened at the Ascension.
I was not expecting the twist at the end at all!!
Also was weird to realize Sanderson teaches at BYU… that’s definitely a choice 👀
I was not expecting the twist at the end at all!!
Also was weird to realize Sanderson teaches at BYU… that’s definitely a choice 👀
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Death, Rape, Murder, Abandonment, and Colonisation
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
Another novella in this series that’s equal parts slow burn gothic horror, witty and tongue in cheek humor, and creepy things going bump in the night. I really enjoy Easton. Angus and Miss Potter and their budding romance are hilarious and adorable as well. I’ll be continuing to read!
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
Really solid read. Lynch’s opening to the Gentleman Bastards series is funny, has solid pacing, and is chock full of misadventures on behalf of Locke, Jean, Chains, and the rest of the crew.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Torture and Blood
City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
Goddamn.
House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
First and foremost, thanks to Mulholland Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review of Gabino Iglesias' newest novel, published a little over a month ago (6 August 2024).
I've had Iglesias on my TBR for some time, and am thrilled that this was the novel to begin my deeper dive into Iglesias' currently published works.
A dark and moody atmospheric horror which combines elements of post hurricane Maria crises in Puerto Rico with cosmic horror elements, ghosts, and the demons a group of five friends fight in the process of avenging the death of one of their mothers.
Childhood friends Gabe (our main POV), Bimbo, Xavier, Tavo, and Paul band together to avenge the death of Bimbo's mother, María. As they learn who killed María (a drug kingpin from La Perla - San Juan's most infamous slum, and his goons), and hurricane María approaches the island, the friends form a plan for avenging her death. Interspersed with first person POV narration of Bimbo's descent into agony over the death of his mother, and dialogue amongst the five friends about having each others' backs no matter what are stories of an evil that comes with big hurricanes (as old at least as the Taínos who originally inhabited that part of the Caribbean), and an evil that lurks on the reef outside La Perla, and the kingpin's connection to it.
With tropes including what happens after extreme violence, what we lose of ourselves in the process of seeking vengeance, friendship against all odds and no matter what, and the realities of life in Puerto Rico as a long-time U.S. colony, House of Bone and Rain is riveting, disturbingly dark, and incredibly compelling.
I've had Iglesias on my TBR for some time, and am thrilled that this was the novel to begin my deeper dive into Iglesias' currently published works.
A dark and moody atmospheric horror which combines elements of post hurricane Maria crises in Puerto Rico with cosmic horror elements, ghosts, and the demons a group of five friends fight in the process of avenging the death of one of their mothers.
Childhood friends Gabe (our main POV), Bimbo, Xavier, Tavo, and Paul band together to avenge the death of Bimbo's mother, María. As they learn who killed María (a drug kingpin from La Perla - San Juan's most infamous slum, and his goons), and hurricane María approaches the island, the friends form a plan for avenging her death. Interspersed with first person POV narration of Bimbo's descent into agony over the death of his mother, and dialogue amongst the five friends about having each others' backs no matter what are stories of an evil that comes with big hurricanes (as old at least as the Taínos who originally inhabited that part of the Caribbean), and an evil that lurks on the reef outside La Perla, and the kingpin's connection to it.
With tropes including what happens after extreme violence, what we lose of ourselves in the process of seeking vengeance, friendship against all odds and no matter what, and the realities of life in Puerto Rico as a long-time U.S. colony, House of Bone and Rain is riveting, disturbingly dark, and incredibly compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia and Kidnapping
Minor: Fatphobia and Vomit