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katiedreads's reviews
515 reviews
The Clown Brigade by Stephen Graham Jones
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? Yes
5.0
I have a love hate relationship with SGJ, I love his writing, characters and plots. I hate that he often uses mental health as a reason his protagonists do what they do, as I think he adds to the stereotype that people mentally I’ll are dangerous. It can feel lazy and unimaginative as he does it often. However this one got to me, I hate clowns, so the thought of a delusional stalker seeing clowns everywhere is horror. This felt in tone and character like a cross between American Psycho and The Joker, very well done what made it horror is how real this seemed. Very short but great pay off.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.25
I really wish I had wanted to read this in December, a very Christmas book. Not just because that is the time it is set but in the feel and tone of the book. It is very poignant, reflective book that focuses on the exhaustion of the lead up to Xmas and then the best and worse of people during the season. But it also a very personal journey of one man seeing and injustice and trying in a very small way to help one other person. Very impactful and haunting.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Hardhitting, brutally honest and raw. The writing style is very unique, blunt, rapid fire and abrupt. It imitates both Jennette's speaking style and difficult subject matter but can make you feel that there is more that could have been said. This seems purposeful and gives the reader a constant feeling of anxiety and puzzlement that seems to reflect the majority of Jennette's life. This covers some of the hardest and most secretive parts of Jennette's life but does it in a way that is both self-aware and factual. It is also unique in its reflective nature, on what is commented on and what is not. As you move through the book, there are events that you can tell Jennette didn't understand the abnormality when they were happening but did later, but she doesn't really comment on all of them, but leaves it to the reader to muse on their own thoughts and feelings. In other passages the events where she acknowledges either in the moment or later that they were uncomfortable, weird, abusive, hard add a weight and growth to the reflection. Please note while this is sarcastically funny and dry in its delivery this is a trauma story and you need to be in the right headspace to read this.
The Naughty Girls Book Club by Sophie Hart
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Good idea, didn't love the excitation. As a book lover I really wanted this to focus more on the books the club was reading and sub plots of the members, not the other way around. Also the side plots for each of the characters were just not that interesting for me.
Haunted Castles: The Complete Gothic Stories by Ray Russell
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
Overall this collection was a 3.5 star like all anthologies hit has some great and some not so great stories. The standouts are Sardonicus 4.5 star and Sagittarius 5 star. These two stories were a great introduction to Ray Russell and his style they provide horror, gore and psychological torment however he does lack the nuance and subtlety of other horror and terror writers. He is also a lot more explicit than most in this genre. Also something to note these stories are not actually about haunted evil castles but the evil people do who happen to live, or once lived in castles.
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
2.0
This was very mediocre, the most interesting thing about it was the title,cover and the first few chapters. I really thought the premise of the book would be woven throughout the full book, it would have added a lot of interest, genuine opportunities for struggling with feelings verses suspicions etc. Instead it was abandoned pretty early on and the just became a very average romance with not like other girls main character.
Come Closer by Sara Gran
dark
tense
fast-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
5.0
This is extremely good, not just a horror book but terror book. The entire time you are anticipating the terror of what’s next, overall such a well written book. The premise itself is not overly unique but the writing, characters and tone of this book set it apart from others. It’s very readable but also gripping you want to know what’s going to happen but you really don’t cause you know it’s going to get worse. 100% recommend.
Demian by Hermann Hesse
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-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
5.0
Beautifully written, thoughtful and graceful. Very much a modern classic dark academic in vibes and content. One of the only classic books steeped in religion, spirituality and philosophy that I have enjoyed. It can be very dense at times so I would recommend combination reading and audio. I also think this is a great book to revisit and take notes on to see how your opinions change over the years.
Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine And Myth in a Man-Made World by Elinor Cleghorn
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Very well researched and interesting book. The author captures the frustration, sadness and painful history of woman’s illness in a man made medical world. She took care to address issues around race and white feminism as well, leaving this to be one of the better books about this subject I read. However the approach and writing is still very much directed at women. This is great for woman who want the history and current information and provides support identifying with others and knowing it’s not just me. I don’t know how much it would attract a male audience and the reality is these books need to reach everyone not just women for any hope of understanding and change. Also at times the book felt a bit listy which reduced my engagement. But overall very worth a read.
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A literary slasher horror, the best Stephen Graham Jones book I have read. I loved this. The characters, the slow build, the descriptions, the pace and the story, are all great. It is also amazingly referential and while you will love it if you know the references, it also doesn't distract you from enjoying it if you don't. I also loved that this was deeper than just a slasher. It was about the pain, loss of innocence, trauma and support from usual people to the main character. It was also a commentary on violence in families and a communities willingness to look away. But ultimately, you get all the slasher gore you want by the end of the story. And possibly the origin story for the next killer?