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krayreads's reviews
1217 reviews
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng: A Novel by Kylie Lee Baker
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
thank you to netgalley and publisher for providing an alc in exchange for an honest review!
**absolutely no notes for the narrator. the girl did the damn thing. she put on the performance of a lifetime. if you're going to read this book, LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK. you won't regret it.**
i actually don't even know where to start with this one. i feel an overwhelming amount of emotions, not all of them great - which is definitely the point of this book. if you're triggered by the events of the pandemic, tread carefully reading this book because it does not shy away from the hateful and absolutely vile treatment that asians/asian americans experienced at that time. the author also does an incredible job of creating a terrifying atmosphere with the ghosts that haunted the main character, cora. i was genuinely creeped out during certain scenes, and if you're squeamish with body horror and gore, this is not the book for you.
but my god was this phenomenal. the author's writing was BREATHTAKING. the descriptions were so vivid, they caused a visceral reaction in me. and the way these characters' stories unfolding pulled and tugged at every one of my damn heartstrings. truthfully, i'm in shock at what i've just read lol. i definitely need a few days to fully process everything. but READ THIS DAMN BOOK. omg.
**absolutely no notes for the narrator. the girl did the damn thing. she put on the performance of a lifetime. if you're going to read this book, LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK. you won't regret it.**
i actually don't even know where to start with this one. i feel an overwhelming amount of emotions, not all of them great - which is definitely the point of this book. if you're triggered by the events of the pandemic, tread carefully reading this book because it does not shy away from the hateful and absolutely vile treatment that asians/asian americans experienced at that time. the author also does an incredible job of creating a terrifying atmosphere with the ghosts that haunted the main character, cora. i was genuinely creeped out during certain scenes, and if you're squeamish with body horror and gore, this is not the book for you.
but my god was this phenomenal. the author's writing was BREATHTAKING. the descriptions were so vivid, they caused a visceral reaction in me. and the way these characters' stories unfolding pulled and tugged at every one of my damn heartstrings. truthfully, i'm in shock at what i've just read lol. i definitely need a few days to fully process everything. but READ THIS DAMN BOOK. omg.
A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
comparing this to succession and saltburn is wiiiiiild. while there are a FEW aspects in this book that touch upon themes in both those, it's not nearly enough to be blurbed as such. here you have the typical story of an outsider, maya, marrying into an upper echelon family, the sterlings, and mysteriously being named the heir to inherit the entire family fortune after the previous heiress dies.
the writing was super clunky. there was a lot of telling and not showing which, in a mystery/thriller, basically negates those aspects of the book. the first few chapters were filled with nothing but paragraphs of info dumping (and before any of you say a single thing, YES I READ PARAGRAPHS). i understand that was necessary to set up the world/characters, but it made it hard for me to get into the story. the pacing was very slow - we hardly got anything worthy of note to do with the actual plot until about 30-40% in. the middle was filled with repetitive scenes of the wealthy family making the new wife feel like the gum on the bottom of their shoes. like we GET IT. she's "never be a sterling". ugh.
the last third of the story was when things finally started to pick up. right as i was finally getting into it, the plot twists that were revealed felt...boring? lackluster? it wasn't anything i didn't kind of guess was going to happen. i wasn't truly shocked by it. and then immediately after the big reveal, we cut straight to the epilogue. now that actually was a surprise because i didn't expect such an abrupt ending. it also felt a bit unsatisfying. i wanted more closure with the endings of certain characters because the set up was there for a bigger conclusion and we got none of it.
this story takes place in 2004 and i do have to hand it to the author - she did capture what the world and culture was like during that time perfectly.
overall, there wasn't anything about this book that really stood out. nothing that i haven't already read before.
the writing was super clunky. there was a lot of telling and not showing which, in a mystery/thriller, basically negates those aspects of the book. the first few chapters were filled with nothing but paragraphs of info dumping (and before any of you say a single thing, YES I READ PARAGRAPHS). i understand that was necessary to set up the world/characters, but it made it hard for me to get into the story. the pacing was very slow - we hardly got anything worthy of note to do with the actual plot until about 30-40% in. the middle was filled with repetitive scenes of the wealthy family making the new wife feel like the gum on the bottom of their shoes. like we GET IT. she's "never be a sterling". ugh.
the last third of the story was when things finally started to pick up. right as i was finally getting into it, the plot twists that were revealed felt...boring? lackluster? it wasn't anything i didn't kind of guess was going to happen. i wasn't truly shocked by it. and then immediately after the big reveal, we cut straight to the epilogue. now that actually was a surprise because i didn't expect such an abrupt ending. it also felt a bit unsatisfying. i wanted more closure with the endings of certain characters because the set up was there for a bigger conclusion and we got none of it.
this story takes place in 2004 and i do have to hand it to the author - she did capture what the world and culture was like during that time perfectly.
overall, there wasn't anything about this book that really stood out. nothing that i haven't already read before.
A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
i can't believe this is the last book in this series (and that i binged the whole thing lol). i have loved the fast paced action packed world of dani vega and all of her found family members. the little romance in the end made me heart ACHE. ugh. this was such a fun ride!
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
this was an absolute delight. whimsical, fantastic imagery, and incredible writing. the mini-stories we got were full of love, loss, strength, and perseverity. such a powerful book in a short amount of time!
"angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves." PERIOD.
"angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves." PERIOD.
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i love mieko's writing with my whole heart. she's not one to shy away from feminist topics and it is usually the driving force behind the growth of her characters. i didn't love this one as much as breasts and eggs but i still enjoyed and appreciated the conversations it sparked and the themes it explored!
Hearing Red by Nicole Maser
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
sapphic!!! zombies!!!! tension!!!! high stakes!!! this was everything i wanted.
also, this was a caitvi fanfic and i will die on that hill.
also, this was a caitvi fanfic and i will die on that hill.
A Forgotten Kill by Isabella Maldonado
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
the twist in this had me gagggggged. there was so much action, this one was a lot more fast paced than the last! dani continues to be one the most badass heroines i've ever read and she just keeps getting better. this was such a fast-paced story! i'm sad the next book will be the last in the series!
A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
this continues to be one of my fave cozy mysteries! i loved the premise behind this because it was such a unique concept - a dating app CEO comes to our beloved Secret Bookcase shop to host an in person matchmaking event. honestly? iconic.
i loved revisiting this cute northern california small town and all of the characters i've grown attached to! i didn't know where the mystery was going this time, as there were a ton of possible suspects but girl when i tell you the twist had me GAGGED!!! and also, the overarching plot of annie's best friends death hit such a crazy climax in this book!
this continues to be one of my fave cozy mysteries! i loved the premise behind this because it was such a unique concept - a dating app CEO comes to our beloved Secret Bookcase shop to host an in person matchmaking event. honestly? iconic.
i loved revisiting this cute northern california small town and all of the characters i've grown attached to! i didn't know where the mystery was going this time, as there were a ton of possible suspects but girl when i tell you the twist had me GAGGED!!! and also, the overarching plot of annie's best friends death hit such a crazy climax in this book!
Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0