Three words: Twilight Fan Fiction (and not the good kind).
If the (now incredibly popular) author's name isn't enough to intrigue you to pick up this bThree words: Twilight Fan Fiction (and not the good kind).
If the (now incredibly popular) author's name isn't enough to intrigue you to pick up this book, then your nostalgic love for all things Bella and Edward might. This narrative reads like the fever dream of an older, extremely delusional Twilight fan growing up in a small, dangerously pious town in the deep backwoods of the south. I just...I don't have the right words to describe how cringe-worthy this book is; I don't know how to properly, and without snark, describe how intensely I wanted to boot this book off of the highest cliff. I want to be able to KINDLY tell you how much I wish I could bury this book in the densest sand of the deepest ocean. I want to UNREAD this book, oh my good GOD.
DID WE ALL READ THE SAME BOOK !?!?!
Okay, okay let me give you a proper review. Let me attempt this, hang on:
It starts with the discovery of a skull, as all of the best and juiciest thrillers do (or any body part, you pick). Then we meet Ruth, and then we meet Everett, and then we discover that together they did some naughty things and quite possibly want to do naughty things to each other (but we don't have this confirmed until you're forced to read an entire 300+ pages of absolute eye-gouging paragraphs about the town's culty religious extremities and fear of the occult and Ruth running around like an innocent and doe-eyed headless chicken playing super sleuth), and then we get to a conclusion that may or not be the most infuriating culmination of events I've ever read in my 37 years on this Earth.
Listen, this is my own fault. I got about 10 pages into In My Dreams I Hold A Knife and I immediately returned it to the library because....no thank you. Winstead's writing has an appeal, and I can totally understand and appreciate that, but for me, it feels like reading what someone THOUGHT a thriller should sound like, and not what actually works (collectively) to make it strike hard and cut deep. I wasn't moved at all by any of the things that, I suspect, were written to move me. I hated the plot, I LOATHED the romance, I wanted each character to somehow find their way to the bottom of a lake, and if you tried to pay me to read this again I would probably have to call the cops, sorry.
All of that to say, I am 1000% in the minority with all of the above opinions. This book has a freakin 4+ average rating overall for god's sake (which is also why I vowed this year to not trust ratings anymore--books are so subjective!) so don't take my word for it. This one may absolutely be for you!!
Edit: it HAD a 4+ star average rating when I reviewed it...it has since dropped...more
Okay, okokok, I'm going to try my best to get through this review without typing the entire thing in all caps because OH MY GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MOkay, okokok, I'm going to try my best to get through this review without typing the entire thing in all caps because OH MY GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH I COULD CRY.
Lone Women is a masterclass in genre mash-up perfection. It was a historical-horror-western done the only way I ever want those 3 genres to be written together, ever again. This narrative was my first experience with Lavalle's work, and I was freakin' blown straight out of my mind with his quiet and careful approach to the horrors within; I wanted every scene to last for 50 pages.
Set in a microscopic 1915 town in Montana, there isn't a whole lot of action, but the events taking place in this book felt like a subtle descent into madness (think Midnight Mass vibes but swap out the religious overtones for masked discrimination). The characters, the setting, the backstories, the eventual reveal of the 'villain', it was all so purposely written and so well-plotted that I can almost guarantee that I'll be thinking about it until the end of my days.
Despite it being set more than 100 years ago, the horror it touched on is still so specifically relevant today that you could easily bring the entire narrative into 2023 (though the lack of resources really helped to create the feeling of depravity and desperation).
If you were waiting to read this, DON'T WAIT ANYMORE. PICK IT UP NOW!...more
Dare I say it? I'll say it: this book is a STRONG contender for my top 5 absolute favourite books of the year. And I can confidently say that I knew tDare I say it? I'll say it: this book is a STRONG contender for my top 5 absolute favourite books of the year. And I can confidently say that I knew that about 10 pages in.
The early setup for this apocalyptic sci-fi narrative via (almost subtle) alien invasion was everything I wanted and never realized I needed. Smith's writing is incredibly paced–the way he emphasized (without over-emphasizing) the extravagant loss of life as we know it; the way he made me feel that loss so intensely both during its destruction, and in reflection, 20 years later.
And the MANY, MANY things I learned while reading this book, OH MY GOD–I could have read 1000 more pages of 1000 more depictions of what happened before, during, and after the invasion. I truly wanted to live in this book forever, and those who know how harshly I review books know that I don't say that lightly ...more
Listen, I am the last person to see extremely high-praise and reviews for a book and convince myself that "that means I'll like it too," books are wayListen, I am the last person to see extremely high-praise and reviews for a book and convince myself that "that means I'll like it too," books are way too subjective for that...BUT YOU SEE THIS HERE BOOK? Y'all got me ...more
There were moments in this book that I enjoyed immensely, namely the scenes that involved the main character, Erin, seeing and interacting with some VThere were moments in this book that I enjoyed immensely, namely the scenes that involved the main character, Erin, seeing and interacting with some VERY angry dead folk after popping the 'Ghost" pill. The author delved deep into the harmful histories of specific locations that Erin visited, which then gave reason to the physical conditions of the dead who haunted there (burned, hung, murdered etc.–it was fascinating and absolutely horrifying).
Chapman's writing is incredible, and I could have read an entire narrative revolving around the scenes above, but there were just too many things happening in the main storyline that I simply didn't care for a single bit. I really struggled to sympathize with Erin's grief in losing Silas and just their connection overall, and I loathed the rest of the friend group.
(I had a friend point out to me, however, that the representation of addiction played THROUGH Silas was actually pretty spot-on and I can totally respect).
This wasn't the book for me, but I can 100% understand its appeal and message, and I look forward to reading more by this author....more
First of all, we NEED to talk about this incredible cover. Forget everything I'm about to write below and buy this book for the aestheti2.5 rounded up
First of all, we NEED to talk about this incredible cover. Forget everything I'm about to write below and buy this book for the aesthetic alone–wow ...more
Ahh yes, 2022, the year I finally read some UBER popular authors for the first time, which was the case here, with Ruth Ware (okay..totally didn't meaAhh yes, 2022, the year I finally read some UBER popular authors for the first time, which was the case here, with Ruth Ware (okay..totally didn't mean to rhyme there, omg..stop Reeka ...more
I've come to the conclusion that Jennifer Mcmahon can write the HECK out of the first 90% of a book–the dark atomosphere and tone are on POINT. But itI've come to the conclusion that Jennifer Mcmahon can write the HECK out of the first 90% of a book–the dark atomosphere and tone are on POINT. But it's always the last 10 or so pages where the narrative starts to lose me, and I'm biting my nails with hope for a satisfying conclusion. I didn't get that here, *sigh, much like I didn't get it in ...more
Sometimes you read something so heavily steeped in the time that it took place, in the worries and joys and pains of the character living their life dSometimes you read something so heavily steeped in the time that it took place, in the worries and joys and pains of the character living their life during that time, that you're JUST as shocked when tragedy hits, even though you knew it was coming.
I'll repeat what so many other readers have already voiced, I CANNOT BELIEVE that this is a debut. You cannot tell me that Willingham ISN'T a seasoned author who's been capturing the nuances and fallout of devastation for years. Because this book CRUSHED me, and not even with it's twists, because by the time the ultimate one happened, I didn't even have room for that shock (though, that twist was WHOA ...more
EVERYONE STOP. Stop what you're doing this instant and for the love of god PLEASE GO PICK UP A MARRS BOOK. Like are you kidding me with this, John!? HEVERYONE STOP. Stop what you're doing this instant and for the love of god PLEASE GO PICK UP A MARRS BOOK. Like are you kidding me with this, John!? How do you consistently wow me, every. single. time? Needless to say, this was another, ANOTHER!, hit for me and I've yet to pick my jaw up off the floor.
This was my second Jewell book, and I'm relieved to say that I enjoyed it so much more than the first one I read (The Family Upstairs). The stakes felThis was my second Jewell book, and I'm relieved to say that I enjoyed it so much more than the first one I read (The Family Upstairs). The stakes felt higher, the emotions ran deeper, and I literally could not go an hour without itching to pick it back up once I put it down.
I felt for these characters, in the very depths of my soul and in the parts of my heart that are being reserved for loving future children. Because this wasn't just a story about a couple of missing kids, it was about the loss of innocence, of self, and of control. I'm a forever fan of multiple perspectives, but Jewells' particularly use of the device for this storyline was impressively clever and added layers of intrigue and insight.
The dark vibes was akin to a Gillian Flynn book, and those who know about my obsessive love for that author will understand what a MASSIVE statement that is for me to make.
Can't wait to read my next Jewell! Hoping for a similar review ...more
I don't think I need to explain how absolutely incredible it feels to finish a book and realize that you've found another theme/genre to add to your rI don't think I need to explain how absolutely incredible it feels to finish a book and realize that you've found another theme/genre to add to your reading wheelhouse, because that's exactly what happened with Circe. I was completely ignorant to Greek mythology and had never truly delved into it (aside from vague 'retellings'). Upon finishing, you can be certain that I immediately searched for ALL books containing the novelization or retellings of Greek Gods/demi-Gods!
Because this book took me by the hand, and led me on a spellbinding journey into a world that I will now seek out with fervor. Miller's writing is at once beautifully tender and addictively intense, introducing me to a character that is thousands of years old, but felt so modern and revelant in her plights. Circe was a silenced woman, a grieving heart, and a devoted mother, and with Miller penning the age-old tale, I could have read her story for eternity.
My simultaneous research on the history of the mythology meant that I knew what to expect whilst reading, but it also enriched the experience tenfold. I was insanely impressed at the author's ability to humanize these well-known pillars of Greek history, and make them relatable in a way that broke my heart on almost every page. I literally CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on more of Madeline Miller's books!...more
I flew through this. And while it wasn't groundbreaking in terms of a thriller storyline, I thought Hawkins did an absolutely fantastic job of writingI flew through this. And while it wasn't groundbreaking in terms of a thriller storyline, I thought Hawkins did an absolutely fantastic job of writing her characters exactly the way she wanted her readers to see them. Jane was a square peg in a round hole, and I appreciated that she stayed slightly out of focus the entire time--it made her intriguing and infuriatingly cryptic. I wanted to know her story, but even more so, I wanted to know the story of every single player in this one, and was pleasantly surprised at the perspectives we ended up hearing from.
The fact that I could picture this narrative as a short story, and STILL know I'd love it, is a testament to Hawkins as a writer, and her ability to keep me engaged in a setting that didn't really expand outside of a rich, gated suburbia. The slightly ambiguous ending is usually a device that I hate, but it worked here, and I can't wait for this author to write another thriller! ...more
I don't want to do this. I wish I wasn't about to do this but *sigh...I did not enjoy this book I don't want to do this. I wish I wasn't about to do this but *sigh...I did not enjoy this book ...more
Reeka (BoundbyWords)
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adult-fiction
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