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madmadmaddymad's reviews
188 reviews
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Did I like it? Yeah. Yeah I think I did.
Was it kinda fucked up? Yeah. Yeah it kinda was.
It’s the kind of story that probably wouldn’t translate well to film. It made a compelling book. I also liked the narrators in the audiobook - the disjointed performance of listening to the two different people telling the story.
Pretty thrilling ending. I feel a little insane right now.
Was it kinda fucked up? Yeah. Yeah it kinda was.
It’s the kind of story that probably wouldn’t translate well to film. It made a compelling book. I also liked the narrators in the audiobook - the disjointed performance of listening to the two different people telling the story.
Pretty thrilling ending. I feel a little insane right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks for the nightmares, Margaret Atwood!
I hated this book, for how chilling it was, how easily I believed every word of it.
I’ve been processing the United States November 2024 election while reading this book, and I can’t say that I made a good decision in picking this one up. I’m so uncomfortable how close our lives are getting to this dark problematic world.
The worst part is the punctuation of this story with Offred’s constant refrain “I don’t want to be telling this story.” She’s telling a story to herself each night. Telling a story to her daughter. Telling a story to Luke, if she ever meets him again, “…in the future or in heaven or in prison or underground, some other place.” Telling the story to another handmaid, to another woman, to me. How many times did I read the dread coming straight from her having to tell this story, and feel dread myself, because I didn’t want to be reading it. And yet I couldn’t put it down. It was the least I could do. I will hear your story, Offred.
I hated this book, for how chilling it was, how easily I believed every word of it.
I’ve been processing the United States November 2024 election while reading this book, and I can’t say that I made a good decision in picking this one up. I’m so uncomfortable how close our lives are getting to this dark problematic world.
The worst part is the punctuation of this story with Offred’s constant refrain “I don’t want to be telling this story.” She’s telling a story to herself each night. Telling a story to her daughter. Telling a story to Luke, if she ever meets him again, “…in the future or in heaven or in prison or underground, some other place.” Telling the story to another handmaid, to another woman, to me. How many times did I read the dread coming straight from her having to tell this story, and feel dread myself, because I didn’t want to be reading it. And yet I couldn’t put it down. It was the least I could do. I will hear your story, Offred.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Grief, and Pregnancy
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked it more than the other Christopher Moore book I read recently - but I did still notice some of the dated nature of some of the jokes and attitudes in this book.
In particular, the “death to the infidel” scene made me grit my teeth and almost stop reading.
I really liked the character of Charlie, and his dynamic with his employee Ray, where they both kind of imagined the other as a serial killer. 😆
I liked the hellhounds.
I liked The Morrigan.
I did like the Bruce Almighty vibes, and thought the book was very unique!
In particular, the “death to the infidel” scene made me grit my teeth and almost stop reading.
I really liked the character of Charlie, and his dynamic with his employee Ray, where they both kind of imagined the other as a serial killer. 😆
I liked the hellhounds.
I liked The Morrigan.
I did like the Bruce Almighty vibes, and thought the book was very unique!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia
Pack Darling: Part Two by Lola Rock
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WHEW!!! Finally - some smut!
(damn, this one is actually really good) (I love Orion still) (the scene where Lilah loses her virginity was so sweet and unexpected in a smutty omegaverse novel) (also, the pass one down, take me around, 5 different guys gangbang at the end 😮💨✋💦❤️) (I had to pay for the extended ending of course)
It kind of made me think differently about how I felt about the first book
I didn’t think I liked it.
Now I realize maybe I was wrong.
Maybe I love it, because how could I get here without part one?
Lilah is a Cinderella type. She definitely suffered until her pack came, and then she gets the utmost rewards, money, security, love, lust, murder-the-brats-who-bullied-you, devotion.
I actually LOVED the part where Hunter broke the pack bond. I love how it made Orions scars fade. I love how it gave him the chance to choose new mates all over again. I loved how Lilah saw that as a win, instead of a devastation, when it’s the only thing she feared the most in book one. I loved the exploration of more packs - the only thing that could have made this book more fun would have been Orion getting to try out some new packs, go on dates, and maybe find his scent-paired paradise. But I loved the aspect of choice - and the fact that he chose Lilah over any alphas.
Damn!
Such a worthwhile read!
(damn, this one is actually really good) (I love Orion still) (the scene where Lilah loses her virginity was so sweet and unexpected in a smutty omegaverse novel) (also, the pass one down, take me around, 5 different guys gangbang at the end 😮💨✋💦❤️) (I had to pay for the extended ending of course)
It kind of made me think differently about how I felt about the first book
I didn’t think I liked it.
Now I realize maybe I was wrong.
Maybe I love it, because how could I get here without part one?
Lilah is a Cinderella type. She definitely suffered until her pack came, and then she gets the utmost rewards, money, security, love, lust, murder-the-brats-who-bullied-you, devotion.
I actually LOVED the part where Hunter broke the pack bond. I love how it made Orions scars fade. I love how it gave him the chance to choose new mates all over again. I loved how Lilah saw that as a win, instead of a devastation, when it’s the only thing she feared the most in book one. I loved the exploration of more packs - the only thing that could have made this book more fun would have been Orion getting to try out some new packs, go on dates, and maybe find his scent-paired paradise. But I loved the aspect of choice - and the fact that he chose Lilah over any alphas.
Damn!
Such a worthwhile read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, and Death
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
I like the voice of this novel; it’s really written in a way where you can hear the characters speaking. Jess is a fish out of water but also, she is so easy to root for, when she becomes a medium and gets thrust into the inciting adventure of the novel.
My favorite character was Jess, but I felt for her family. The fear of having a father in remission from cancer, and how hard he has to work. The shame of having a secret girlfriend and being uncomfortable coming out. The attitude of family in this novel was all too real. It was cultural for me, but I’m not Asian, so I liked being immersed in a different culture and family dynamic.
Loved the ghost and god aspect - I started feeling really fired up when the Black Water Sister was punishing the labor workers for defiling her land - when they were just trying to make a living. She ought to go after Ng Chee Hin, since it was his holding ordering the landscaping and construction. I agree with Jess, when she said it is the whole business of gods to be fair.
My favorite character was Jess, but I felt for her family. The fear of having a father in remission from cancer, and how hard he has to work. The shame of having a secret girlfriend and being uncomfortable coming out. The attitude of family in this novel was all too real. It was cultural for me, but I’m not Asian, so I liked being immersed in a different culture and family dynamic.
Loved the ghost and god aspect - I started feeling really fired up when the Black Water Sister was punishing the labor workers for defiling her land - when they were just trying to make a living. She ought to go after Ng Chee Hin, since it was his holding ordering the landscaping and construction. I agree with Jess, when she said it is the whole business of gods to be fair.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Rape, Violence, and Outing
I'm in Love with Mothman by Paige Lavoie
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Well, I will say, I did like the monster fucking. But I was a little disappointed that Moth has a human and a monster form, and spends most of this book in humanoid form, especially during the fucking. I think there was at least one moment when Heather talked him into fucking her as a monster? And that was pretty great
It also had a good amount of smut, and some cute cozy cottagecore lesbians.
I didn’t like the way Chris’s character was introduced almost as a love interest - and then quickly devolved into an annoyance - and then even more rapidly devolved into a deranged villain. I think this whole book would have been way better if he just wasn’t in it… although I understand why he was, and I guess it was nice to have some stakes in my smutty monster fucking novel…. Still. I could have done without the human nuisance.
Mom was almost a villain herself, which I actually kind of liked. The theme of a girl being raised by a mommy-blogger growing up to be a little camera shy and dating a mythological monster was actually a good hook.
Also, the ending was nice! I’m glad Heather gets to be a mothman too. This is what dreams are made of…
It also had a good amount of smut, and some cute cozy cottagecore lesbians.
I didn’t like the way Chris’s character was introduced almost as a love interest - and then quickly devolved into an annoyance - and then even more rapidly devolved into a deranged villain. I think this whole book would have been way better if he just wasn’t in it… although I understand why he was, and I guess it was nice to have some stakes in my smutty monster fucking novel…. Still. I could have done without the human nuisance.
Mom was almost a villain herself, which I actually kind of liked. The theme of a girl being raised by a mommy-blogger growing up to be a little camera shy and dating a mythological monster was actually a good hook.
Also, the ending was nice! I’m glad Heather gets to be a mothman too. This is what dreams are made of…
You Suck by Christopher Moore
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is funny, but definitely a relic of its time. It should come with a content warning for 2007…. As a whole; it was an alright book. I read it because my friend found a copy at a thrift store and thought it sounded fun.
The ‘love story’ that’s tagged on the front cover is extremely tame. I would say this is more of a story about how two brand new vampires navigate being vampires in modern society, trying to find meals, and escape the ones coming for their heads. They’re in love, I guess, but only in a “I’m told these two are in love” kind of way. It’s hard for me to understand what it is about Tommy that Jody actually loves…. But Tommy even expressed at one point that the reason he loves Jody is because she lets him have sex with her. Which is a very 19-year-old-man way of thinking on feelings if you get down to it.
I also was a little bit off put by the wacky antics, especially the group of Tommy’s friends having a gang-bang relationship with a sex worker smurf… it seemed like a really random thing to throw in the book, which was silly and funny, only - when she actually started to become a villain, I found everything about the inclusion of the character kind of problematic. I ended up feeling bad for poor Blue, and unsatisfied with where her story led.
Abby was the best character, and her introduction and enthusiasm for vampires really made this book a lot more fun to read. I enjoyed getting to know her, and as she started to take over narration I actually grew invested. She was endearing, earnest, and funny in a way that didn’t leave me cringing from the dated nature of the humor in this book.
The ending was…. Weird. I don’t know how to feel.
Overall - I give this one 3 stars. (An entire extra star awarded to the real star of the show, Abby Normal.)
The ‘love story’ that’s tagged on the front cover is extremely tame. I would say this is more of a story about how two brand new vampires navigate being vampires in modern society, trying to find meals, and escape the ones coming for their heads. They’re in love, I guess, but only in a “I’m told these two are in love” kind of way. It’s hard for me to understand what it is about Tommy that Jody actually loves…. But Tommy even expressed at one point that the reason he loves Jody is because she lets him have sex with her. Which is a very 19-year-old-man way of thinking on feelings if you get down to it.
I also was a little bit off put by the wacky antics, especially the group of Tommy’s friends having a gang-bang relationship with a sex worker smurf… it seemed like a really random thing to throw in the book, which was silly and funny, only - when she actually started to become a villain, I found everything about the inclusion of the character kind of problematic. I ended up feeling bad for poor Blue, and unsatisfied with where her story led.
Abby was the best character, and her introduction and enthusiasm for vampires really made this book a lot more fun to read. I enjoyed getting to know her, and as she started to take over narration I actually grew invested. She was endearing, earnest, and funny in a way that didn’t leave me cringing from the dated nature of the humor in this book.
The ending was…. Weird. I don’t know how to feel.
Overall - I give this one 3 stars. (An entire extra star awarded to the real star of the show, Abby Normal.)
Brothersong by TJ Klune
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
I think Carter and Gavin’s story is my least favorite, of the wolves, but I really loved the focus on Carter’s relationship with Kelly.
There was a scene, after he comes back to the pack, where Joe says he understands that Kelly is Carter’s tether and that they have a special relationship, but then he expresses how he feels left out, how he is their brother too, and ow, my heart! Hasn’t poor Joe been through enough! I love how that was addressed, it felt like it really needed to be said.
The angst in this book is OFF THE CHARTS.
The final moments were INTENSE and EXCITING.
The story is so FULLFILLING and so QUEER I just love it so much. I feel like I’ve been waiting my entire life for a book like this. It’s going down forever as one of my all time favorites.
There was a scene, after he comes back to the pack, where Joe says he understands that Kelly is Carter’s tether and that they have a special relationship, but then he expresses how he feels left out, how he is their brother too, and ow, my heart! Hasn’t poor Joe been through enough! I love how that was addressed, it felt like it really needed to be said.
The angst in this book is OFF THE CHARTS.
The final moments were INTENSE and EXCITING.
The story is so FULLFILLING and so QUEER I just love it so much. I feel like I’ve been waiting my entire life for a book like this. It’s going down forever as one of my all time favorites.
Pack Darling - Part One by Lola Rock
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Mmm, it was okay. About the first 60% of the book was delightful and enticing, and I was hyped for the moment Lilah would go into heat and get to fuck all the boys. Unfortunately the book just kept having her have the same insecurities, “they already have an omega.” “I must push myself into exhaustion” “I must douse myself in scent neutralizier” which is all fine and good… but picture that happening over and over and OVER again for like 40% of the book. Add to that an unsatisfying ending? Bleh. Not my thing.
It gets an extra star for all the sex scenes with Orion. Good job Orion, you saved the whole book from being bland.
It gets an extra star for all the sex scenes with Orion. Good job Orion, you saved the whole book from being bland.
The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It’s been such a long time since I’ve read this book… and it’s sensational! I think I struggled with it as a child because of the pace, but rereading it as an adult, it’s easy to get lost in the charm of the fantasy. I also couldn’t help but feel like I was on that adventure with Bilbo and Thorin and all the rest.
Love the writing, and further, love the audiobook performance by Andy Serkis, particularly the songs. This novel is a work of art.
Love the writing, and further, love the audiobook performance by Andy Serkis, particularly the songs. This novel is a work of art.