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ink_at_heart's reviews
9 reviews
The Neighbor's Secret by L. Alison Heller
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
Story’s that revolve around everyone keeping secrets from each other and the climax being them having to reveal those secrets for whatever reason are just not my cup of tea. If it’s yours, then you’d probably like this. It’s a pass for me, though.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Basically SA trauma porn. Not for me, thanks
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Vomit
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The plot and characters of this book moved (and scared) me like no book has in a long time. I usually steer clear of possession horror—because it either doesn’t scare me at all or it scares me too much—but I decided to read this one because I kept seeing it recommended on TikTok and curiosity got the best of me. I’m glad I read it—but, man, this book wrecked me.
In A Head Full of Ghosts, Tremblay really establishes and reminds the reader of the bond between Merry and Marjorie, which is what really got to me in this book (though I might have an innate weakness to this story since I’m an older sister myself). Sure, Tremblay isn’t shy on the horror end of things either—I had to take a week-long break from reading it after I finished Chapter 11 because it freaked me out so bad—but the relationship between the sisters and the ending were what really broke me and broke my heart.
In A Head Full of Ghosts, Tremblay really establishes and reminds the reader of the bond between Merry and Marjorie, which is what really got to me in this book (though I might have an innate weakness to this story since I’m an older sister myself). Sure, Tremblay isn’t shy on the horror end of things either—I had to take a week-long break from reading it after I finished Chapter 11 because it freaked me out so bad—but the relationship between the sisters and the ending were what really broke me and broke my heart.
It’s been about two weeks since I’ve finished this book, but I still think about it—and I have a feeling it’ll be one of those books that always stays with me.
So, long story short, if you’re looking for a possession horror novel that’s both scary as hell and heartbreaking as hell—look no further!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, and Vomit
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was intense. Graphic and gruesome, Pretty Girls is a story of sisterhood and standing up to misogynistic men—to the extreme, of course, but there’s no denying that this book features two women fighting against men who hate them and mean them harm, just for being women.
As thrilling and gruesome as it was, though, my favorite parts of this book were between the sisters. I have two siblings, and usually the way siblings are written in books doesn’t quite feel right. Most of the time, they’re side characters and don’t appear in the story much, and/or they feel more like “regular” friends or acquaintances—which is the case in some families that aren’t close. But generally speaking, siblings are their own breed, with their own slang of inside jokes, bickering, and general overall vibe of: “I love you and I’d die for you, kill for you, help you bury a body—but if you take my ____ without asking again, I swear to god…!” And, between the drama and suspense and fighting for their lives, these were the first characters I’ve come across in a while that have that playful antagonism that made it believable, like “yup, those are definitely two sisters.”
If you like thrillers and the trigger warnings aren’t a deal breaker for you, I recommend giving this book a try. This was the first book I’ve read by Karin Slaughter and it definitely won’t be the last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Self harm, and Suicide
Stray Dogs by Tony Fleecs
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I know I’m still kind of new to the horror genre, but this was quite a unique read—and not just because it’s a graphic novel. See, it’s told from the dogs’ point of view (POV). That in itself isn’t unique either, I’m sure there are other horror novels that are told from a dog’s POV—I’ve read books in other genres, anyway, that are (anyone else remember the Santa Paws books from the 90s? I loved that series as a kid)—but it’s the combination that makes it feel unique: a horror graphic novel told from the dogs’ POV.
I loved how the mystery of this unfolded and how they used the poor short term memory of the dogs to add to the suspense. The cover describes the story as All Dogs Go to Heaven crossed with Silence of the Lambs and, having read it, I’d say that’s fairly accurate (one of the dogs even looks like Charlie from All Dogs Go to Heaven).
I highly recommend Stray Dogs if you’re interested in it (and aren’t affected by the content warning). It’s gritty and dark and a hell of a ride.
I loved how the mystery of this unfolded and how they used the poor short term memory of the dogs to add to the suspense. The cover describes the story as All Dogs Go to Heaven crossed with Silence of the Lambs and, having read it, I’d say that’s fairly accurate (one of the dogs even looks like Charlie from All Dogs Go to Heaven).
I highly recommend Stray Dogs if you’re interested in it (and aren’t affected by the content warning). It’s gritty and dark and a hell of a ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Violence
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
5.0
I loved this book so much! The Asian-inspired mythology, the characters, the story—all of it. There is a romance subplot that ends up taking up a chunk of the “action”, which I didn’t mind, but if you don’t like it when books do that, maybe steer clear of this one.