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jessicadoom's reviews
236 reviews
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
It's like a Hallmark movie with some spice peppered in. Not too much spice - just enough to be sexy and still leave room for plot. Definitely my kind of book - can't wait to read more from this author, and to get to know these characters a little deeper.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This reminded me of playing a Call of Cthulhu game in the absolute best way. The novella progressed really nicely with just the right amount of mystery and romance. The relationship between Helen and Edith? *chef's kiss* Just beautiful and a wonderful little palate cleanser before I move on to something longer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Murder
The Spells We Cast by Jason June
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Yeah, no, cowboy romances aren't for me even when they include magic.
Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.0
I was very invested throughout the first part, right up until that big reveal scene! And then the second part started...and the author lost me. The rest of the book just seemed to drag along until the end. It was incredibly well written, the characters were relatable and human. I was just...bored?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual content, Outing, and Dysphoria
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
3.5
After reading Renegades, I had high hopes for the rest of Marissa Meyer's books. World-building wise, I was still very much impressed. And the story was great! There was just something missing to keep it from being a full 4 stars. Maybe it was the insta-love. Maybe the fact that I called the twist from very early on. Not sure, but I did still enjoy it! Just not yet ready to pick up the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Medical trauma, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Self harm, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Black Iris by Elliot Wake
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.0
Elliot Wake's books have been on my TBR for years. I started "Bad Boy" way back when and was too busy to actually read it, but figured I should start from the beginning since they tie together. And I'm glad I did! It seems important now that I understand the backstory of how Black Iris was founded.
Overall, I did really enjoy the book. I found myself wanting to do nothing but finish the book, despite all the obstacles in my life that made that difficult and the process a bit drawn out.
The writing was beautifully poetic, and the characters very complex. The only thing that brought this down to a very solid three for me would be that there's simply too much smut for my little demisexual self. A lot of it felt unnecessary, even though I do understand that it helped to seal Laney's characterization. If I was someone else, maybe it wouldn't have bothered me as much.
All that aside, the thrilling twists and turns really did keep me engaged and I can't wait to continue reading the rest of his books!
Overall, I did really enjoy the book. I found myself wanting to do nothing but finish the book, despite all the obstacles in my life that made that difficult and the process a bit drawn out.
The writing was beautifully poetic, and the characters very complex. The only thing that brought this down to a very solid three for me would be that there's simply too much smut for my little demisexual self. A lot of it felt unnecessary, even though I do understand that it helped to seal Laney's characterization. If I was someone else, maybe it wouldn't have bothered me as much.
All that aside, the thrilling twists and turns really did keep me engaged and I can't wait to continue reading the rest of his books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Dysphoria
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
I will probably try this one physically later. I can't stand the narrator's voice on the audio.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
challenging
dark
sad
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? It's complicated
3.0
Going into this, I knew I was going to likely compare it to the movie They/Them just because they both center around conversion therapy in a horror landscape. And, unfortunately, that comparison left me wanting more.
I wouldn't say the book was bad in any way. The story was intriguing and new, but it definitely could have been developed more. It either needed to be shorter and focus maybe on just the retribution act, or be longer and flesh out some of the details more.
Overall, it was all right. Could have used a bit more terror, and maybe a bit less Jesus, but still all right.
I wouldn't say the book was bad in any way. The story was intriguing and new, but it definitely could have been developed more. It either needed to be shorter and focus maybe on just the retribution act, or be longer and flesh out some of the details more.
Overall, it was all right. Could have used a bit more terror, and maybe a bit less Jesus, but still all right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Drug use
insects
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I've put off reading this book for so long. Everyone would tell me they loved it with all their heart. That it became their favorite book after they read it. (Except my sister, who simply described it as "okay.) Hearing that kind of praise always intimidates me. I'm worried it won't live up to the hype and that somehow I'm going to disappoint my loved ones if I don't love their favorite books.
(Can you tell I'm a chronic people pleaser?)
But, we're moving soon and I'm trying to work on my physical TBR. With that, I'm trying books that I'm not sure I'll love enough to keep. This fit the bill, and the audiobook was available on Hoopla. So, I dove in.
For the first, oh, three-quarters or so of the book, I was in love. I couldn't wait to see where the narrators took us. How would their stories end? And, with this, I begun writing my own ending to their stories in my hopeful little head. (Writers....)
This is not the ending we received, however. I hit part six and all of a sudden my mood towards this book shifted a bit. Yes, the writing was still beautiful. No one can say that the style of this novel isn't lyrical, poetic, artistic, etc. However, the plot (or lack thereof) took me to a place I wasn't ready to go. So, we ended at a solid four out of five instead of that glorious five stars I planned to issue.
The highlights for me were the blatant queerness of both narrators, the history we were able to witness through Addie's eyes, and the small reveals that really did help to drive the book forward. Would I read it again? Probably not. But I'm certainly not upset that I did give this one a try. It just might not be something I take with me to my next home library.
(Can you tell I'm a chronic people pleaser?)
But, we're moving soon and I'm trying to work on my physical TBR. With that, I'm trying books that I'm not sure I'll love enough to keep. This fit the bill, and the audiobook was available on Hoopla. So, I dove in.
For the first, oh, three-quarters or so of the book, I was in love. I couldn't wait to see where the narrators took us. How would their stories end? And, with this, I begun writing my own ending to their stories in my hopeful little head. (Writers....)
This is not the ending we received, however. I hit part six and all of a sudden my mood towards this book shifted a bit. Yes, the writing was still beautiful. No one can say that the style of this novel isn't lyrical, poetic, artistic, etc. However, the plot (or lack thereof) took me to a place I wasn't ready to go. So, we ended at a solid four out of five instead of that glorious five stars I planned to issue.
The highlights for me were the blatant queerness of both narrators, the history we were able to witness through Addie's eyes, and the small reveals that really did help to drive the book forward. Would I read it again? Probably not. But I'm certainly not upset that I did give this one a try. It just might not be something I take with me to my next home library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Stalking, and War
questionable ability to consent, plot? what plot?