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mk_loisirs's reviews
414 reviews
Woodworm by Layla Martínez
dark
tense
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
3.75
Told from two seemingly unreliable, yet oddly…reliable? narrators, Martínez’ book packs a creepy punch. I love a good “alive” house story and this one is no exception. It’s a story of two women holding generational trauma and their insatiable house.
I would go into it blind, as I did for I think it makes a greater impression that way.
I particularly enjoyed the stream of consciousness type prose that had a lyricism about them. But be warned, there are no quotation marks.
I would go into it blind, as I did for I think it makes a greater impression that way.
I particularly enjoyed the stream of consciousness type prose that had a lyricism about them. But be warned, there are no quotation marks.
Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson
The long of it: Delilah does a solid job of escalating the plot at the perfect pace leading towards an over the top campy violent crescendo. I wish the campy aspect of the world was a bit more fleshed out in terms of character development. Some parts of the characters felt a little flat in regards to us getting backstory. We only every get peaks into the motivations of the staff, which works with the events of the plot but I think the reader's investiment into the story would increase with more developped characters. Despite that I still felt sucked into the story and it wrapped up with in the end with the solid start.
My biggest "critique" or gripe with the story was that it doesn't really delve into commentary on class warfare more than rich people being entitled horrible people...Dez makes comments periodically about her life growing up as the child of a blue collar worker but that's as far as it goes. I don't think a great commentary was needed for this story to succeed, as it did without but I just feel like it would have enhanced the story a little more had it done so.
dark
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
The short of it: A bloody cathartic book. Bad people getting what they deserve. A gory revenge fueled mess.
The long of it: Delilah does a solid job of escalating the plot at the perfect pace leading towards an over the top campy violent crescendo. I wish the campy aspect of the world was a bit more fleshed out in terms of character development. Some parts of the characters felt a little flat in regards to us getting backstory. We only every get peaks into the motivations of the staff, which works with the events of the plot but I think the reader's investiment into the story would increase with more developped characters. Despite that I still felt sucked into the story and it wrapped up with in the end with the solid start.
My biggest "critique" or gripe with the story was that it doesn't really delve into commentary on class warfare more than rich people being entitled horrible people...Dez makes comments periodically about her life growing up as the child of a blue collar worker but that's as far as it goes. I don't think a great commentary was needed for this story to succeed, as it did without but I just feel like it would have enhanced the story a little more had it done so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review!
To say I was extremely ecstatic to have been approved for this e-arc is an understatement. The Tainted Cup is one of my favorite books and to be allowed back into the world early again was a DREAM. I found myself immediately enthralled by the extremely well-crafted and smartly written world. Not only were we given another highly detailed mystery that so neatly is resolved in the end, but were given a deeper glimpse into the backstories of both Din & Ana. The revelations surrounding Ana, that were revealed near the end of the story, were so intriguing. I cannot wait to see where the story goes with that. All the characters felt extremely well fleshed out and were highly enjoyable to read - especially the "villains". Malo is a new favorite and I just adored how she interacted with Din & Ana. The story had me both cringing with disgust and laughing out loud in the same turn.
I can say after this one I am firmly entrenched in the Shadow of Leviathan world and I cannot wait for what's to come.
To say I was extremely ecstatic to have been approved for this e-arc is an understatement. The Tainted Cup is one of my favorite books and to be allowed back into the world early again was a DREAM. I found myself immediately enthralled by the extremely well-crafted and smartly written world. Not only were we given another highly detailed mystery that so neatly is resolved in the end, but were given a deeper glimpse into the backstories of both Din & Ana. The revelations surrounding Ana, that were revealed near the end of the story, were so intriguing. I cannot wait to see where the story goes with that. All the characters felt extremely well fleshed out and were highly enjoyable to read - especially the "villains". Malo is a new favorite and I just adored how she interacted with Din & Ana. The story had me both cringing with disgust and laughing out loud in the same turn.
I can say after this one I am firmly entrenched in the Shadow of Leviathan world and I cannot wait for what's to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Medical content, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Tenderly, I am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you to Lyndall Clipstone, Macmillan & Netgalley for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
I was very thrilled to be approved for this arc considering how much I am a fan of Clipstone's previous work, "Unholy Terrors". The flowery purple prose of Clipstone's writing is exactly my kind of writing. That being said, I was not as in love with this story as I had hoped I would have been. I love when authors use water as a key element in their story. I just felt like something about this novel was lacking for me...and I was comparing it to a favorite book of mine that also involves water and academia...
Also I was under the impression it was going to have "Saltburn" elements. It felt extremely tame to make that connection. The horror elements were hard to be found as well.
I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed and quite frankly a bit weirded out by the end of the novel. I am by no means against love triangles but the sibling aspect of it gave me a bit of the ick...especially considering I did not believe the relationship with Camille & Lark, as much as I did with Alastair. I felt the relationship blooming between Lark and her school friend more convincing than Camille & Lark. I just felt the story lacked the connection that would make them more believable. (Also Alastar & Camille could have just not been siblings?) Also Lark makes some choices I cannot fully get behind, like making out with Camille, while Alastair is being punished...a bit weird if she's supposed to love him...
I don't want to make this an overall negative review but I really was hoping for *more* especially considering how much I adored "Unholy Terrors." That being said, what didn't work for me might work for you so please give this book a try.
I was very thrilled to be approved for this arc considering how much I am a fan of Clipstone's previous work, "Unholy Terrors". The flowery purple prose of Clipstone's writing is exactly my kind of writing. That being said, I was not as in love with this story as I had hoped I would have been. I love when authors use water as a key element in their story. I just felt like something about this novel was lacking for me...and I was comparing it to a favorite book of mine that also involves water and academia...
Also I was under the impression it was going to have "Saltburn" elements. It felt extremely tame to make that connection. The horror elements were hard to be found as well.
I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed and quite frankly a bit weirded out by the end of the novel. I am by no means against love triangles but the sibling aspect of it gave me a bit of the ick...especially considering I did not believe the relationship with Camille & Lark, as much as I did with Alastair. I felt the relationship blooming between Lark and her school friend more convincing than Camille & Lark. I just felt the story lacked the connection that would make them more believable. (Also Alastar & Camille could have just not been siblings?) Also Lark makes some choices I cannot fully get behind, like making out with Camille, while Alastair is being punished...a bit weird if she's supposed to love him...
I don't want to make this an overall negative review but I really was hoping for *more* especially considering how much I adored "Unholy Terrors." That being said, what didn't work for me might work for you so please give this book a try.
Hexed by Emily McIntire
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
I need to return to this once I gather my thoughts. Phenomenal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
I am going to tell you absolutely nothing about this book just that I loved it. I was obsessed. I read it in a day!!
I cannot tell you how excited I was to read a book where one of my absolutely favorite paintings ever (if not THE favorite) was a major part in this story. The integration of art as a key element in the story arc was exceptionally fantastic and I loved reading all the supernatural twists Scott added to actual art history.
I enjoyed the pacing, the characters, the dialogue and the general plot. I was happy with the ending considering this is a planned trilogy! I can’t wait to see where it goes.
I cannot tell you how excited I was to read a book where one of my absolutely favorite paintings ever (if not THE favorite) was a major part in this story. The integration of art as a key element in the story arc was exceptionally fantastic and I loved reading all the supernatural twists Scott added to actual art history.
I enjoyed the pacing, the characters, the dialogue and the general plot. I was happy with the ending considering this is a planned trilogy! I can’t wait to see where it goes.
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lyla’s best yet…such a fun emotional romantic ride. I inhaled it in 5 hours. It was so cute I know I will read it again in the future.
and the “Lost, Lassoed, and Lane” after the acknowledgments?? Tears. Flowing.
Underneath the romance, this story really was a love letter to the great dads.
I’m happy to have my own Amos & Hank.
and the “Lost, Lassoed, and Lane” after the acknowledgments?? Tears. Flowing.
Underneath the romance, this story really was a love letter to the great dads.
I’m happy to have my own Amos & Hank.
Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape