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voxvenati's reviews
172 reviews
Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Hmm. I liked this more for the info about apples than the plot itself. Is that necessarily bad based on the author’s note at the end? Maybe not.
I don’t know how to feel about this except maybe a bit put out. I don’t know if I like Wendig’s style. It’s not gripping or scary to me. Mostly, it was a lot of apple puns and things that were just plain funny/silly/stupid.Apple Monsters. The Apple Eaters. Just lol. And then there was gore, but that didn’t make up for the lack of scary.
I wish we had gotten more about Golden and the man in white. I did not like Calla. I did not love Emily. The rest of the characters were just ok. The plot felt like it was stretched out to the point of breaking and we didn’t have any real good catharsis or resolution. It ends kind of how I expected and it was very lukewarm.
TLDR; if you like Wendig’s humor and style, you’ll probably like this, but it was just meh for me. Mostly now I just want apples.
I don’t know how to feel about this except maybe a bit put out. I don’t know if I like Wendig’s style. It’s not gripping or scary to me. Mostly, it was a lot of apple puns and things that were just plain funny/silly/stupid.
I wish we had gotten more about Golden and the man in white. I did not like Calla. I did not love Emily. The rest of the characters were just ok. The plot felt like it was stretched out to the point of breaking and we didn’t have any real good catharsis or resolution. It ends kind of how I expected and it was very lukewarm.
TLDR; if you like Wendig’s humor and style, you’ll probably like this, but it was just meh for me. Mostly now I just want apples.
The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
I don’t know if there’s anything to say beyond that I’m obsessed.
Khaw delivers another gruesome, gorgeous work dripping with viscera and purple prose where love is at the center of everything. The characters are flawed and delightful. The Minds are fascinating. Pimento….my beloved.
I love this world. I wish I had more time in it. This is an absolute reread for me.
Khaw delivers another gruesome, gorgeous work dripping with viscera and purple prose where love is at the center of everything. The characters are flawed and delightful. The Minds are fascinating. Pimento….my beloved.
I love this world. I wish I had more time in it. This is an absolute reread for me.
Dead Inside by Chandler Morrison
If you want to read something for shock value’s sake with baby’s first examination of being a social outcast, fine. You do you. Check those trigger warnings and then check it out. But there’s not a whole lot going on here beyond a teenager’s edgy splatterpunk attempt at being deep. Go girl, give us nothing.
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Hmm…where to start? I’ll say, I think the cover was gorgeous and tricked me into thinking this was going to have some real meat (ba dum tch) to it. Foolish of me. I did give it a single star instead of zero bc it was so fast to read, and I kept hoping it would get better.
Yes, there’s gore. Yes, there’s sex. Yes, there are shocking things! Was any of it done well? No.
There was no attempt at atmosphere and there were no vibes, so this didn’t even tip the scales of making me squeamish, or horrified. The main character sounds like he’s a little boy half the time. Even as satire, this just doesn’t have a lot to it. Where is the commentary? This is not a horror so much as an edgy comedy.
The prose was childish and some stylistic choices were annoying. Another reviewer summed it up perfectly:
Yes, there’s gore. Yes, there’s sex. Yes, there are shocking things! Was any of it done well? No.
There was no attempt at atmosphere and there were no vibes, so this didn’t even tip the scales of making me squeamish, or horrified. The main character sounds like he’s a little boy half the time. Even as satire, this just doesn’t have a lot to it. Where is the commentary? This is not a horror so much as an edgy comedy.
The prose was childish and some stylistic choices were annoying. Another reviewer summed it up perfectly:
This book is basically a teen edgelord trying to be edgy and shocking while broaching philosophical topics…The problem is the philosophy addressed is about as deep as a can of tuna…
If you want to read something for shock value’s sake with baby’s first examination of being a social outcast, fine. You do you. Check those trigger warnings and then check it out. But there’s not a whole lot going on here beyond a teenager’s edgy splatterpunk attempt at being deep. Go girl, give us nothing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Incest, Infidelity, Racism, and Classism
God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book convinced me Dune is my favorite series of all time.
There is so much to this book. It feels very much like a return to form. Prose-wise, it feels much closer to Dune than Children of Dune, which I enjoyed immensely. I loved all the side characters - Moneo, Nayla, Malky…they’re precious to me.
This book is packed with a lot of emotion. More than you might expect from a book about a Worm. It filled me with such joy, this book. Frank is one of the best to ever do it, truly.
Some incredible quotes to end this review on:
There is so much to this book. It feels very much like a return to form. Prose-wise, it feels much closer to Dune than Children of Dune, which I enjoyed immensely. I loved all the side characters - Moneo, Nayla, Malky…they’re precious to me.
This book is packed with a lot of emotion. More than you might expect from a book about a Worm. It filled me with such joy, this book. Frank is one of the best to ever do it, truly.
Some incredible quotes to end this review on:
Police are inevitably corrupted.
“We will be Worm and wife…”
- 10/10, best quote of all time
Minor spoilers:
“You cannot imagine how many times I have loved a companion and seen that companion slip away . . . as your father is slipping away now.”
“You love . . . him?”
“And I loved your mother. Sometimes they go quickly; sometimes with agonizing slowness. Each time I am wracked. I can play callous and I can make the necessary decisions, even decisions which kill, but I cannot escape the suffering. For a long, long time—those journals you stole tell it truly—that was the only emotion I knew.”
Minor spoilers:
“You love . . . him?”
“And I loved your mother. Sometimes they go quickly; sometimes with agonizing slowness. Each time I am wracked. I can play callous and I can make the necessary decisions, even decisions which kill, but I cannot escape the suffering. For a long, long time—those journals you stole tell it truly—that was the only emotion I knew.”
Zeroes by Chuck Wendig
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was having a good time in the first half, but it kind of fell off for me.
This was an impulse read (or listen), and it was fine for what it was. I liked a lot of the setup, the characters, the conspiracy of it, but the payoff was just meh. It wasn’t anything new, and the action felt like it was just there because it’s expected, not for any real purpose.
I’ll still probably pick up the sequel, though. The writing was fine and I wasn’t bored until maybe the last hour.
This was an impulse read (or listen), and it was fine for what it was. I liked a lot of the setup, the characters, the conspiracy of it, but the payoff was just meh. It wasn’t anything new, and the action felt like it was just there because it’s expected, not for any real purpose.
I’ll still probably pick up the sequel, though. The writing was fine and I wasn’t bored until maybe the last hour.
Dune by Frank Herbert
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
5.0
A reread as fun homework for myself.
I took a little more time with it this read through, and there are definitely some dated things about this story.
The Baron, as a villain, being described as so fat and so gay, rub pretty wrong, especially as there are no contrasting characters with these traits anywhere else in the book. There’s a singular use of the term/slur midget, though the Baron says it, so it could be argued a negative against him. There’s also some things that are treated in an uncomfortable manner - a sort of noble savages trope, misogyny? Or at least a strange treatment of women as a general rule, possible white savior trope — though this last one is sort of broken apart in future books. All that being said, though harm was done, I don’t think any of the negatives were handled with intention to harm. Time gives us better lenses with which to view these things as harmful. Take that as you may.
I will say, this book hurts a whole lot more after reading further in the series. Character arcs that end in later books…plot lines that are introduced here…ouch. I cried a lot more this time around. Oh, Paul. How young you were here. Oh, Alia. How tragic your awakening, your non-childhood was.
I loved so many characters. Outside of the main cast, I love Harah, Shaddam, Fenring, more than I remember. Especially how Harah and Shaddam are with Alia. Very cute.
This is such a beautiful, strange, emotional tragedy. Dune. What a fascinating world. How I love it so.
I took a little more time with it this read through, and there are definitely some dated things about this story.
I will say, this book hurts a whole lot more after reading further in the series. Character arcs that end in later books…plot lines that are introduced here…ouch. I cried a lot more this time around. Oh, Paul. How young you were here. Oh, Alia. How tragic your awakening, your non-childhood was.
I loved so many characters. Outside of the main cast, I love Harah, Shaddam, Fenring, more than I remember. Especially how Harah and Shaddam are with Alia. Very cute.
This is such a beautiful, strange, emotional tragedy. Dune. What a fascinating world. How I love it so.
Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a refreshing take on vampires, and I really enjoyed it. There’s just something about translated fiction that hits different.
There’s a beautiful, gothic ambiance throughout the book that really ties the two stories and characters together. I enjoyed the prose as well; sometimes, you can feel that a work has been translated due to the stiff, unmelodic flow. That wasn’t the case here.
I do wish there had been a third partwith them both going off. It would have tied things together a little better, I think, if we’d gotten even a taste of an epilogue . I also wish the two stories had had more overlap beyond the one point. And perhaps more yearning. It felt a little bit just like lusting.
This read was short and absolutely worth it for anyone interested in vampires and their requisite eroticism, gothic translated fiction, something literary that leans heavier on the horror, messy bisexual women who can’t help but ruin their own lives, or a combination of the above.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
There’s a beautiful, gothic ambiance throughout the book that really ties the two stories and characters together. I enjoyed the prose as well; sometimes, you can feel that a work has been translated due to the stiff, unmelodic flow. That wasn’t the case here.
I do wish there had been a third part
This read was short and absolutely worth it for anyone interested in vampires and their requisite eroticism, gothic translated fiction, something literary that leans heavier on the horror, messy bisexual women who can’t help but ruin their own lives, or a combination of the above.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Ladykiller by Katherine Wood
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a pretty fast and engaging read once I got into the meat of it.
The writing really made you feel like you were in Greece, and I had to go make hummus in the middle of reading the book because the characters were eating some. The story had good pacing, fun and distinct characters, and was an overall enjoyable read.
Several things peeved me enough to take me out of it though. First, the hedgehogs are always mentioned as out and about in the heat of the day, but hedgehogs are nocturnal? Second, the “twist” wasn’t all that twisty - you can see what’s happening pretty early on. I also wish there had been more to Abby’s story. Third, the ending fell especially flat for me. I was having a good time up until the last chapter or two.
Even with the above peeves, this was a breezy, summery read. Definitely worth it if you’re along for the ride more than the destination.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
The writing really made you feel like you were in Greece, and I had to go make hummus in the middle of reading the book because the characters were eating some. The story had good pacing, fun and distinct characters, and was an overall enjoyable read.
Several things peeved me enough to take me out of it though. First, the hedgehogs are always mentioned as out and about in the heat of the day, but hedgehogs are nocturnal? Second, the “twist” wasn’t all that twisty - you can see what’s happening pretty early on. I also wish there had been more to Abby’s story. Third, the ending fell especially flat for me. I was having a good time up until the last chapter or two.
Even with the above peeves, this was a breezy, summery read. Definitely worth it if you’re along for the ride more than the destination.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
The writing was beautiful, the stories and characters were interesting enough, but I just could not get into this.
I did not love the way the chapters spontaneously flipped between past and present. I did not like that all the storylines didn’t come together in the end.
The repeated references to Elizabeth and Tyler moving to/living in Israeland how Arthur wanted to turn around and move there too just did not sit right with me. Was this commentary on their negative character traits? It was not explicit enough condemnation if it was supposed to be. It just felt bad.
I did enjoy other parts of the book, especially Miranda’s chapters, but overall maybe a little more literary than I prefer. Good but not something I would normally read.
I did not love the way the chapters spontaneously flipped between past and present. I did not like that all the storylines didn’t come together in the end.
The repeated references to Elizabeth and Tyler moving to/living in Israel
I did enjoy other parts of the book, especially Miranda’s chapters, but overall maybe a little more literary than I prefer. Good but not something I would normally read.
The Black Girl Survives in This One by Saraciea J. Fennell, Desiree S. Evans
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
I could not stop reading this book. While my average across all the short stories was a 3.7, the lowest stories never went below a 2 and the 5’s were high fives. The experience reading this was a solid 5. I need to go out and buy a physical copy. I made so many digital annotations.
What else can I say? I have so many new favorite authors that I want to read more from. Every story fit into the anthology perfectly, and even though some were not to my taste, they were all crafted well and entertaining in their own right. I’m pretty much obsessed. I hope this anthology and these authors see success, I hope we see more horror centering black girls - who live!! This is the kind of quality horror the youth/YA audiences deserve.
My favorites included:
Harvesters - absolutely classic
Welcome Back to the Cosmos - SO happy to see a SciFi horror!!
Black Pride - my annotation just reads “hot”
Inheritance - VERY cool lore
The Skittering Thing - gave me chills
Foxhunt - spectacular, chef kiss. It made me cry.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
What else can I say? I have so many new favorite authors that I want to read more from. Every story fit into the anthology perfectly, and even though some were not to my taste, they were all crafted well and entertaining in their own right. I’m pretty much obsessed. I hope this anthology and these authors see success, I hope we see more horror centering black girls - who live!! This is the kind of quality horror the youth/YA audiences deserve.
My favorites included:
Harvesters - absolutely classic
Welcome Back to the Cosmos - SO happy to see a SciFi horror!!
Black Pride - my annotation just reads “hot”
Inheritance - VERY cool lore
The Skittering Thing - gave me chills
Foxhunt - spectacular, chef kiss. It made me cry.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.