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drakaina16's reviews
2101 reviews
SLOE by Marc Ruvolo
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
I had previously read Pieties by the same author, and while I enjoyed it, this book really gripped me. The first half of the book is interesting, but the last half becomes more and more unhinged, and I loved it. It is part of the Rewind or Die series, so it does have that cult classic movie feel that I love. 4.5 stars
I had previously read Pieties by the same author, and while I enjoyed it, this book really gripped me. The first half of the book is interesting, but the last half becomes more and more unhinged, and I loved it. It is part of the Rewind or Die series, so it does have that cult classic movie feel that I love. 4.5 stars
What Protects Our Heritage and Other Aberrations by Villimey Mist
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to BookSirens and Brigids Gate Press for providing a review copy.
The fantastic cover is what really drew me to this book. When I saw many of the stories are based on Icelandic legends, I was all the way in. The stories not based on myth are excellent as well, with a couple posing questions I had never really thought about. This was my first experience with Villimey Mist, and I am highly impressed. I definitely plan on checking out her other books.
The Girl with the Hooves ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Survival of the Fittest ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
They Came from the Rocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tupperware Party ⭐⭐⭐.5
Hell of a Ride ⭐⭐⭐.75
All-You-Can-Drink Buffet ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Hag’s Gift ⭐⭐⭐
The Yule Lads Are Coming ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Perfect Time ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Protects Our Heritage: An Icelandic Cryptid Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The fantastic cover is what really drew me to this book. When I saw many of the stories are based on Icelandic legends, I was all the way in. The stories not based on myth are excellent as well, with a couple posing questions I had never really thought about. This was my first experience with Villimey Mist, and I am highly impressed. I definitely plan on checking out her other books.
The Girl with the Hooves ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Survival of the Fittest ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
They Came from the Rocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tupperware Party ⭐⭐⭐.5
Hell of a Ride ⭐⭐⭐.75
All-You-Can-Drink Buffet ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Hag’s Gift ⭐⭐⭐
The Yule Lads Are Coming ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Perfect Time ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Protects Our Heritage: An Icelandic Cryptid Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, and Child death
The Despicable Fantasies of Quentin Sergenov by Preston Fassel
dark
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
3.0
I Believe in Mister Bones by Max Booth III
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
Thank you to BookSirens and Apocalypse Party for providing a review copy.
What an absolutely wild ride this book is! Max Booth III is very, very good at making outlandish situations believable. I found the premise to be a very unique one, but I hesitate to say too much because learning about Mister Bones is half the fun. I enjoyed the first half, but the last half had me riveted. 4.75 stars
What an absolutely wild ride this book is! Max Booth III is very, very good at making outlandish situations believable. I found the premise to be a very unique one, but I hesitate to say too much because learning about Mister Bones is half the fun. I enjoyed the first half, but the last half had me riveted. 4.75 stars
Session 9: The Official Novelization by Christian Francis
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
I remember watching Session 9 in the early 2000s. I couldn't remember the exact story, but I remembered the fantastically creepy atmosphere of the abandoned asylum. The book, while written well, doesn't quite manage to capture what made the movie so good. I don't think this is a failing of the writer at all. The story itself without the visuals is kind of lackluster. All in all, a good effort and I enjoyed it enough to give it 3.25 stars
I remember watching Session 9 in the early 2000s. I couldn't remember the exact story, but I remembered the fantastically creepy atmosphere of the abandoned asylum. The book, while written well, doesn't quite manage to capture what made the movie so good. I don't think this is a failing of the writer at all. The story itself without the visuals is kind of lackluster. All in all, a good effort and I enjoyed it enough to give it 3.25 stars
Defeating the Moose by Laura Bilodeau
dark
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
2.0
While the book had potential, I found it in bad need of an editor and copy editor. I was not a fan of the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Consumed By Evil by John Durgin
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
Early reviews indicated that Consumed by Evil was a lot darker than its predecessor, and that is absolutely true. The narrative crackles with tension and no one is safe. I already went into the book loving the characters and it's hard to watch them go through it. John Durgin's writing is so cinematic that I had no trouble picturing the book as a movie in my head. It broke my heart a little bit, but I loved the book. 5 stars
Early reviews indicated that Consumed by Evil was a lot darker than its predecessor, and that is absolutely true. The narrative crackles with tension and no one is safe. I already went into the book loving the characters and it's hard to watch them go through it. John Durgin's writing is so cinematic that I had no trouble picturing the book as a movie in my head. It broke my heart a little bit, but I loved the book. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Crane by Stacey Rourke
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a very imaginative retelling of Sleepy Hollow. The twist on an old story was really interesting and the writing and punchy dialogue are reminiscent of T. Kingfisher. This was a fun read in between books with heavier subject matter. 3.5 stars
In The Eyes, In The Shadows by Gage Greenwood
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
Oh man, where to start? This book devastated me, just picked away at little scabs. Most importantly, it made me FEEL something. I have always loved Gage's books, the way he writes. This book sees that already impactful writing at full force, packing gut punch after throat punch. Having experienced the death of my father (whom I had a complicated relationship with) and the loss of the ability to do the one sport I loved more than anything, I related to Jackson on a visceral level. This book is beautiful and haunting and heartbreaking and I loved it so much. 5 stars
Oh man, where to start? This book devastated me, just picked away at little scabs. Most importantly, it made me FEEL something. I have always loved Gage's books, the way he writes. This book sees that already impactful writing at full force, packing gut punch after throat punch. Having experienced the death of my father (whom I had a complicated relationship with) and the loss of the ability to do the one sport I loved more than anything, I related to Jackson on a visceral level. This book is beautiful and haunting and heartbreaking and I loved it so much. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Suicide attempt