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camiandkitread's reviews
357 reviews
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
“Fourth Wing” was fun and adventurous, “Iron Flame” was repetitive and torturous, and “Onyx Storm” was…well, boring and predictable for the first 85% of the book.
It was definitely an improvement over “Iron Flame” but didn’t have the punch I was hoping for until the last few chapters where it ended on another tremendous cliffhanger.
It was definitely an improvement over “Iron Flame” but didn’t have the punch I was hoping for until the last few chapters where it ended on another tremendous cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Cassandra Clare has a way of making me gasp out loud and shriek with glee like no few other authors can because she uses tropes and twists so well—truly, Clare is able to weaponize those tropes and use them to devastate a reader in the best and worst ways.
I wasn’t quite as invested in “The Last Hours” series as I have been in the other series within the Shadowhunter Chronicles (Nothing holds a candle to you, “The Dark Artifices,” my beloved). But I still enjoyed reading “Chain of Gold” and am looking forward to reading “Chain of Iron.”
I wasn’t quite as invested in “The Last Hours” series as I have been in the other series within the Shadowhunter Chronicles (Nothing holds a candle to you, “The Dark Artifices,” my beloved). But I still enjoyed reading “Chain of Gold” and am looking forward to reading “Chain of Iron.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity and Grief
Escape Into the Night by Lois Walfrid Johnson
adventurous
challenging
informative
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? No
4.0
“Escape into the Night” was a book I had read several times as a child and recently rediscovered along some boxes at my mom’s house.
I was curious to revisit it since I didn’t really remember the plot and of course so much of our portrayals of and most critically the language surrounding slavery has evolved so much since the book was originally published in 1995. Surprisingly, it’s not that bad. The way Johnson wrote the enslaved people’s dialogue is definitely problematic as is the reliance of the white saviors trope, but again, it’s not bad for 1995.
The book does touch on on very difficult and upsetting topics, primarily slavery, so adults providing a child with this book should be prepared to have a conversation with them.
I was curious to revisit it since I didn’t really remember the plot and of course so much of our portrayals of and most critically the language surrounding slavery has evolved so much since the book was originally published in 1995. Surprisingly, it’s not that bad. The way Johnson wrote the enslaved people’s dialogue is definitely problematic as is the reliance of the white saviors trope, but again, it’s not bad for 1995.
The book does touch on on very difficult and upsetting topics, primarily slavery, so adults providing a child with this book should be prepared to have a conversation with them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Jane: Starvation, Cannibalism, and Endurance at Jamestown by James Horn, William M. Kelso, Beverly Straube, Douglas Owsley
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Very short but provides an excellent overview on Jane, the fourteen girl whose remains were discovered at Jamestown in 2012.
Jane was a victim of the starving time and after archaeologists discovered her skull and tibia in the cellar at James Fort—not interred in a grave—it quickly became apparent that Jane’s death was not what it seemed. She had been cannibalized during the Starving Times.
This book was the first to be published on Jane and has excellent color photographs of her remains, facial reconstruction, and other artifacts found at Jamestown. The information in it is rather brief, since this is such a small book, but it gives an overview on the discovery, the few facts researchers could tell about Jane from her remains, and a very brief history of the settlement. The information is all provided in a very respectful way, especially in regards to Jane.
Jane was a victim of the starving time and after archaeologists discovered her skull and tibia in the cellar at James Fort—not interred in a grave—it quickly became apparent that Jane’s death was not what it seemed. She had been cannibalized during the Starving Times.
This book was the first to be published on Jane and has excellent color photographs of her remains, facial reconstruction, and other artifacts found at Jamestown. The information in it is rather brief, since this is such a small book, but it gives an overview on the discovery, the few facts researchers could tell about Jane from her remains, and a very brief history of the settlement. The information is all provided in a very respectful way, especially in regards to Jane.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Cannibalism
The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Kathryn Purdie takes readers back into the dark Forest Grimm in “The Deathly Grimm,” the sequel to “The Forest Grimm.”
Filled with more eerie retellings of the Brothers Grimm’s fairytales, the stakes are somehow higher for the main characters as they realize that it’s time to break the curse on the Forest Grimm and Grimm Hollow once and for all. Along the way, Clara must learn how to wield her powers and distinguish what is real and what isn’t. But that is easier said than done in the Forest Grimm…
“The Deathly Grimm” is an excellent follow up to “The Forest Grimm” and serves as a great conclusion to the duology. Purdie cleverly twisted several more classic Grimm fairytales to suit the needs for her plot. She also filled the story with twists and turns to leave a reader guessing what will happen next. Some twists are definitely a little predictable, but that doesn’t make them any less fun.
If you’ve ever watched “Once Upon a Time” and wished it was just a little darker (and have a less confusing family tree), then “The Forest Grimm” duology is definitely a series you should check out!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with more eerie retellings of the Brothers Grimm’s fairytales, the stakes are somehow higher for the main characters as they realize that it’s time to break the curse on the Forest Grimm and Grimm Hollow once and for all. Along the way, Clara must learn how to wield her powers and distinguish what is real and what isn’t. But that is easier said than done in the Forest Grimm…
“The Deathly Grimm” is an excellent follow up to “The Forest Grimm” and serves as a great conclusion to the duology. Purdie cleverly twisted several more classic Grimm fairytales to suit the needs for her plot. She also filled the story with twists and turns to leave a reader guessing what will happen next. Some twists are definitely a little predictable, but that doesn’t make them any less fun.
If you’ve ever watched “Once Upon a Time” and wished it was just a little darker (and have a less confusing family tree), then “The Forest Grimm” duology is definitely a series you should check out!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
In "Heartless Hunter," readers thought the stakes couldn't be higher than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love but oh MAN did Kristen Ciccarelli prove us wrong or what in "Rebel Witch?!" The action-packed sequel to Ciccarelli's five-star romantic fantasy succeeded in cranking the heat up on the main characters--literally and figuratively.
Ciccarelli's duology is such a wonderful read because it's the rare romantasy that can pull off a romance AND world-building. Sure, it's got all the tropes that make a romantic squeal but it also has a unique magic system and an actual plot. I'm reticent to add much more to my review in case I accidently spoil even the smallest thing about this book.
If you haven't read "The Crimson Moth" duology, stop whatever you're reading and pick up "Heartless Hunter" now and make sure you check out "Rebel Witch" when it comes releases on February 18, 2025!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ciccarelli's duology is such a wonderful read because it's the rare romantasy that can pull off a romance AND world-building. Sure, it's got all the tropes that make a romantic squeal but it also has a unique magic system and an actual plot. I'm reticent to add much more to my review in case I accidently spoil even the smallest thing about this book.
If you haven't read "The Crimson Moth" duology, stop whatever you're reading and pick up "Heartless Hunter" now and make sure you check out "Rebel Witch" when it comes releases on February 18, 2025!
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
I try to give debuts a lot of grace on pacing and jerky writing, etc. but this was too much.
Why does every paragraph start with “Fi???”
“Fi lifted her finger…” “Fi resisted the urge…” “Fi finished writing…” “Fi stumbled…” All of that is on the same page and they’re pretty much all like that. Awful lot of telling going on, not a lot of showing. And the repetition is just maddening—I can’t focus on the story because my eyes are searching for the same words being used over and over.
Why does every paragraph start with “Fi???”
“Fi lifted her finger…” “Fi resisted the urge…” “Fi finished writing…” “Fi stumbled…” All of that is on the same page and they’re pretty much all like that. Awful lot of telling going on, not a lot of showing. And the repetition is just maddening—I can’t focus on the story because my eyes are searching for the same words being used over and over.
The Women's War in the South: Recollections and Reflections of the American Civil War by
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Way too narrative, reads like a children’s history book.
The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg by Helen Rappaport
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Focusing on the Romanov family’s final two weeks alive, “The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg” is an unsettling read.
Helen Rappaport is an excellent historian and writer. “The Last Days of the Romanovs” has her trademark emphasis on a strong narrative history, but it is less like a conversation with the reader—the history about the murder of eleven people laid out as accurately as possible. This is the most respectful way to present the information to readers. However, it fully drives home how barbaric their botched execution was, which is in sharp contrast to the glamorized version so often passed off as the truth.
The book included details I had either not known or had forgotten from her other books. Some of them, such as the unfeeling, deliberate orchestration of the murders of the seven Romanovs and their four servants, I think perhaps I wish I hadn’t learned.
Helen Rappaport is an excellent historian and writer. “The Last Days of the Romanovs” has her trademark emphasis on a strong narrative history, but it is less like a conversation with the reader—the history about the murder of eleven people laid out as accurately as possible. This is the most respectful way to present the information to readers. However, it fully drives home how barbaric their botched execution was, which is in sharp contrast to the glamorized version so often passed off as the truth.
The book included details I had either not known or had forgotten from her other books. Some of them, such as the unfeeling, deliberate orchestration of the murders of the seven Romanovs and their four servants, I think perhaps I wish I hadn’t learned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, and Pregnancy
The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-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? No
3.0
“The Enigma Game” is an interesting historical thriller set in World War II that features multiple main characters and high stakes. It was an okay read, but it was not nearly as compelling as “Code Name Verity.”
This book jumped around so much it felt that my copy was missing pages—scenes and thoughts and interactions were rushed through with such breakneck speed I could hardly keep up. It’s disappointing that “The Enigma Game” had such pacing problems because Wein’s characters were interesting and I wanted to know what would happen to them next.
If I had read “The Enigma Game” before “Code Name Verity,” which is the chronological order of the books, I think I would have enjoyed it more. But alas, I went in publication order.
This book jumped around so much it felt that my copy was missing pages—scenes and thoughts and interactions were rushed through with such breakneck speed I could hardly keep up. It’s disappointing that “The Enigma Game” had such pacing problems because Wein’s characters were interesting and I wanted to know what would happen to them next.
If I had read “The Enigma Game” before “Code Name Verity,” which is the chronological order of the books, I think I would have enjoyed it more. But alas, I went in publication order.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Colonisation