kodi_rae's reviews
278 reviews

Yasmeen by Rob Jones, Fabiana Moscolo, Saif A. Ahmed

Go to review page

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Bone People by Keri Hulme

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Go to review page

4.0

Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

Go to review page

emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Dark and thoughtful, focusing on Latinx/Indigenous women perspectives. These short stories touch on themes of colonization, gentrification, racism, violence against women, family relationships, etc. Reading this book is a unique, alternative way to learn a bit more about Colorado history (since all the stories are set there and the author is from Denver).
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca by Maria Goodavage

Go to review page

dark informative sad tense medium-paced
My loving and very strong-willed aunt insisted I read this book. I feel too complicated about the nature of war to be the target audience however I can appreciate all the skills dogs are capable of learning and what comfort they can provide to people who need it. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Go to review page

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

5.0

My first time rereading this since the first time when I was probably around Melinda’s (the protagonist) age. I remember really liking it then and it’s even more devastating now with time and experience. The claustrophobia of the mind and your own silence. 

While I’d like to think society has grown a bit since Speak was first published, I’m glad it still exists and can maybe provide validation and healing to those who need it. Does anyone else remember the movie with a young Kristen Stewart? Maybe I’ll pay that a visit too. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

It seems like I might be one of the few that has read this book first before Elatsoe. I loved all the characters and the non-binary and asexual representation. While I agree with some of the other reviews that there are lingering questions left, I wonder if that’s on purpose. Based on the titles of the chapters and the pacing of the story, I feel like the author is intentionally imitating linguistic storytelling style and putting it into writing. Will I be pleased if there’s a sequel? Absolutely! But do I also think it’s good enough on its own? Definitely. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

Somehow fun and empathetic while also being gristly and tragic - it’s a worthwhile novel for true crime fans although I was disappointed to learn that a lot of the facts remain unknown. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

Go to review page

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

4.0

An engaging and sad tale about the complexities of trauma and how it shows up within family dynamics. While I personally found the “reveal” to be a bit questionable and slightly unsatisfying, I was still throughly intrigued with each character and what would happen with them next. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

Magical realism meets the prison system makes for a beautiful, haunting, and deeply sad read. Though somehow there’s hope too, maybe?

While it’s not graphic in the traditional sense, take care and make sure to check the content warnings to get a sense of things.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings