kay_cee3000's reviews
342 reviews

I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin

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challenging informative 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

4.25

I finished this on election night which was either the best or the worst idea.  Ever. A story told primarily in spoken dialog, texts, comments, posts... all with characters you're not sure if you're supposed to love or hate.  Maybe both at times? The controversy in the real black box of doom did have me considering my own part in this story and I'll be chewing on it for a while.  I'll also definitely reread this in a few years or sooner to check perspective.  
How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett

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Did not finish book.
Very dry. Informative, and I'll probably pick away at it since the science is absolutely fascinating. I'll use more as a reference than a cover to cover read. 
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: how to heal from distant, rejecting, or self-Involved-parents by Lindsay C. Gibson

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

I recommend this book to anyone who experienced any sort of emotional neglect and/or abuse from parents or partners.  And anyone who is unsure if it's what they experienced.  It's written in a very frank and informative style.  
The first few chapters initially turned me off as I was feeling they were a bit doom and gloom... like emotionally immature people are "bad" but once through that, it all comes together in a way that approaches them with more compassion, yet not dampening the effects or excusing the behavior.  
I'll be recommending this to family and clients for a long time and will probably check out her follow up books as well. 
Gollitok: A Horror Novel by Andrew Najberg

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adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

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adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes

3.5

The writing was beautiful.  The imagery was lovely.  Good historical fiction.  I worried this would end up being a series, but it did not leave off on a cliffhanger, which was a relief. I couldn't get this to 4* though.  It was so predictable.  I feel like I was reading a book I've already read based on accuratel  predicting so much of the plot.  I did enjoy reading it and would recommend if historical alt fiction romantasy is your thing.  
I Found A Lost Hallway In A Dying Mall by Ben Farthing

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

I loved this! I already knew going in that it'd be good since everything else by Ben Farthing I've read has been fantastic.  
Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This was not what I expected but I'm 100% here for it.  Cosmic horror in the best of ways,  right down to tentacles and brain eating and old gods.  All with a more modern post covid 19 take on the genre.  I hope so badly there is a sequel.  
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher

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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? It's complicated

4.5

I loved this follow up.  I want more Alex Easton!
The Spore Queen by Debra Castaneda

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challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

Another win for this series of stamd alone novels.  Such a beautiful and horrific and mysterious story.  Debra Castaneda's books are an immediate purchase for me, so I had no idea what it was about but to expect something wonderful.  I was not disappointed in the least. 
Wilder Girls by Rory Power

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

I'm not usually one for YA but this one was really good.