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megan_bbender's reviews
77 reviews
Die Noon by Elise Sax
dark
funny
mysterious
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
3.5
I can't say that I have ever read a book quite like this before, but I enjoyed it.
Once I figured out that it was supposed to be sarcastic and non-serious, I thought it was really fun to read and it was really entertaining. You could call the plot "stupid" but it was nice to have a change of pace with something really lighthearted and goofy.
I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series!
Once I figured out that it was supposed to be sarcastic and non-serious, I thought it was really fun to read and it was really entertaining. You could call the plot "stupid" but it was nice to have a change of pace with something really lighthearted and goofy.
I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child death
The Cuck by Aron Beauregard
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I’m kind of unsure of my rating on this book, while I didn’t necessarily not like it, it was over so quickly. I feel like because of how short this book is, there isn’t many details and there’s no room for me to come up with a true rating for it.
Playground was the first book I read from Aron Beaugard, so while I can appreciate that this book was much, much more mellow in comparison, it didn’t leave me with much.
With that being said, this book is super short. I was really wanting to read some horror to break up the other genres I’ve been reading recently and this book did that perfectly, I read it in one go and now I can quickly get back to my other books.
Playground was the first book I read from Aron Beaugard, so while I can appreciate that this book was much, much more mellow in comparison, it didn’t leave me with much.
With that being said, this book is super short. I was really wanting to read some horror to break up the other genres I’ve been reading recently and this book did that perfectly, I read it in one go and now I can quickly get back to my other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Stalking, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
I loved the thrill and mystery that came along with this book, I couldn’t stop reading, especially towards the end when everything was unwinding.
This book was super fun to read and I absolutely love Sirius Black! I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book was super fun to read and I absolutely love Sirius Black! I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book! I thought it was so adventurous and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, I never wanted to stop reading because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I can't wait to start reading the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone does an amazing job at transporting you into another world and it was so great to dig into the fantasy genre.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.75
I never read the Harry Potter books as a kid but I was a fan of the movies, starting to read the series now has been very nostalgic and I can't wait to read the rest of the books.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone does an amazing job at transporting you into another world and it was so great to dig into the fantasy genre.
"to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Honestly, I ate this book up. It’s seriously one of the best books that I’ve read in a while.
I simply enjoyed it a lot, I loved the connection between the characters and I thought the plot was interesting.
This was the first dark romance book I’ve ever read, it only took me a few hours to finish since I just couldn’t put it down.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more Brynne Weaver books and hopefully I can see Butcher and Blackbird sometime in the future!
I simply enjoyed it a lot, I loved the connection between the characters and I thought the plot was interesting.
This was the first dark romance book I’ve ever read, it only took me a few hours to finish since I just couldn’t put it down.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more Brynne Weaver books and hopefully I can see Butcher and Blackbird sometime in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content and Medical trauma
Magpie by Elizabeth Day
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
My friends call me Magpie so when I saw this book on the shelf I just had to get it. It's not the most amazing book I have ever read but it also isn't the worst. I really enjoyed certain parts of it, but I found that there were lots and lots of filler pages that were very slow and boring to read.
I feel as if the author does not think the readers are smart enough to figure out the twist on their own which is why there was so much back and forth between the past and present. This is what made the book feel so slow, because you are reading over the same scenario twice.
After looking up the author, I can appreciate that this book may have a lot more deeper meaning as it possibly reflects some of her personal experiences with marriage and IVF but I personally cannot relate to these issues so there was not a strong connection for me.
With that being said, the twists and turns were really unexpected and they kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending was a bit predictable but it was still enjoyable.
I feel as if the author does not think the readers are smart enough to figure out the twist on their own which is why there was so much back and forth between the past and present. This is what made the book feel so slow, because you are reading over the same scenario twice.
After looking up the author, I can appreciate that this book may have a lot more deeper meaning as it possibly reflects some of her personal experiences with marriage and IVF but I personally cannot relate to these issues so there was not a strong connection for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Shiftless by Aimee Easterling
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
3.0
I felt like this story was very slow in the beginning. When I got to around 200 pages, I logged it on my StoryGraph and said "holy sh*t, I'm not even halfway through?", but it really started to pick up towards the end, the last 150 pages or so were thrilling and it felt like the plot was finally moving, however the ending was so abrupt that genuinely can't believe that was it; it finally felt like something was coming out of this book and then *poof* it was gone.
With that being said I can actually appreciate the abruptness throughout the book, for example the very fast-ending sentences and scenarios really help to gain an understanding about how the characters are actually feeling and how fast everything in their community is actually changing.
To be honest, I was having more fun learning about the history of the community and kind of forgot about the plot. I did really like the characters though, Sydney is someone that I would love to be friends with, and the way the neighbours always had each others backs was heartwarming, and I definitely got super invested in the slow burn romance.
I liked the concept of this book and it was really intriguing but I feel like if it was shorter, I would've rated it a bit higher.
With that being said I can actually appreciate the abruptness throughout the book, for example the very fast-ending sentences and scenarios really help to gain an understanding about how the characters are actually feeling and how fast everything in their community is actually changing.
To be honest, I was having more fun learning about the history of the community and kind of forgot about the plot. I did really like the characters though, Sydney is someone that I would love to be friends with, and the way the neighbours always had each others backs was heartwarming, and I definitely got super invested in the slow burn romance.
I liked the concept of this book and it was really intriguing but I feel like if it was shorter, I would've rated it a bit higher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Campfire by Shawn Sarles
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was really enjoying this book, especially in the beginning. However I started to lose interest around the last 50 pages.
I still think this is worth the read though. I thought it was a very interesting concept and it definitely gave me goosebumps at certain points.
The plot twist was not plot twisting.
I still think this is worth the read though. I thought it was a very interesting concept and it definitely gave me goosebumps at certain points.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol