blackcatkai's reviews
947 reviews

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

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funny tense fast-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? No

5.0

THAT ENDING OMG 😭 I had the best time with this whole novel. funny, engaging, tense. loved it.
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

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dark emotional 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
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

the end got weird. will add CW when I get more time, but overall I liked this one. I still have a rough go with classics & traditional style scifi, but I am here for the next book let's gooooooo!!
Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cw: infidelity, alcohol use, body horror, gore, death, gore, blood, violence

well this is a weird book. you hear it's about a woman caring for her husband as his body is literally rotting BEFORE his actual death and you know its gonna be weird but then it does more than that. short & pretty good, don't know who I'd recommend it to. people who like body horror in general? probably.

I'll probably read more from Nabem again in the future. hes good with words.
Out Behind the Barn by Chad Lutzke, John Boden

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dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

CW: child death, murder, abduction/kidnapping, gaslighting, mentions of the death of a spouse, blood, body horror, violence, animal death (off page but the aftermath is described)

short but sweet, sad. wish we could've gotten a little more as to WHY, but I loved this.
Blood Orange by Karina Halle

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slow-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

CW: sex, death, murder, violence, blood, misogyny, ableism, shaming of sex work & addiction, body shaming, drug & alcohol use, pregnancy & pregnancy loss, abuse, non consent, dubious consent, exhibitionism. kink elements include: breath/fire/blood play, cum/anal/instrument play, impact play, primal/praise kink, degradation, bondage, chasing, vampire-style feeding.

maybe for others but definitely not for me. the writing was annoying, it was so slow, and I know its supposed to lean a bit more erotica, but before the spice even starts proper there's just constant references to his cock and I just.... I wasn't having a good time. skimmed a lot. ended up looking up the ending and oof, glad I stopped before getting that far. book is too long for a whole lot of nothing imo. oh well, onto the next!
The Ancient Magus' Bride Vol. 1 by Kore Yamazaki

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3.0

cw: slavery, blood, violence, death, animal death, abandonment, grief, MC is 15 and the mage who buys her at auction keeps mentioning how she'll be his bride soooooooo... grooming? adult/minor relationship? nothing really happens in THIS volume but.....
Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender

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challenging emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

THAT ENDING 😭🩷

CW: trauma, sexual assault, sexual assault of a minor (mentioned, implied, but overall off-page), abuse (verbal & physical), drug use/addiction, mental illness, grief, consensual sex, homophobia, biphobia, colourism/racism talked about, bullying/harassment (online & in person), suicidal thoughts, parental rejection, mentions of potential drug overdose, alcohol use, toxic relationships, religious bigotry, panic attacks, mentions of rehab, gaslighting, self harm
Scales Fell From Her Eyes: Parable #1 by Mae Murray

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dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

CW: blood, violence, death, gore, some body horror, miscarriage, dubious consent

short and sweet and pretty fantastic
A River of Golden Bones by A.K. Mulford

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

CW: blood, death, violence, classism, transphobia, gaslighting, murder, sexual content, imprisonment

this book is outstanding and amazing. I laughed and cried and it hit home in so many ways. a beautiful story about finding yourself and fighting for what you believe in. love it, can not WAIT for the next one!
Dune by Frank Herbert

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adventurous emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

CW: blood, violence, war, colonialism, classism, sexism, pregnancy/birth, some outdated language, fatphobia

the beginning was so slow with all the info dumping and exposition, but the journey you go on with all the characters is pretty great. definitely reading the next one!