Scan barcode
sarahweyand's reviews
355 reviews
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Side note but this is the same audiobook narrator that did the last book and her voice is just great, would absolutely love to listen to more by her.
Another solid installment in the Wayward Children series! Probably one of my most favorite ones so far. I really enjoyed Antsy's door and her story in Lost in the Moment and Found, but I also enjoy the found family aspect of the rest of the group, so this was a lovely meeting of the two. The inciting incident here was a little silly and I felt it wasn't totally resolved at the conclusion of the story, but that didn't bother me too too much. As usual, some of the dialogue was a little clunky and trying too hard to be quirky, but that doesn't bother me as much anymore.
I enjoyed the fact that we went through some new doors this book! I wish we had spent more time in them but I understand the constraints of the novella format. Hopefully we'll be able to get to Kade's world soon and that he gets a story all his own - or Eleanor herself! Who knows. These stories are cozy to me and I could keep listening for as long as Seanan keeps putting them out.
Another solid installment in the Wayward Children series! Probably one of my most favorite ones so far. I really enjoyed Antsy's door and her story in Lost in the Moment and Found, but I also enjoy the found family aspect of the rest of the group, so this was a lovely meeting of the two. The inciting incident here was a little silly and I felt it wasn't totally resolved at the conclusion of the story, but that didn't bother me too too much. As usual, some of the dialogue was a little clunky and trying too hard to be quirky, but that doesn't bother me as much anymore.
I enjoyed the fact that we went through some new doors this book! I wish we had spent more time in them but I understand the constraints of the novella format. Hopefully we'll be able to get to Kade's world soon and that he gets a story all his own - or Eleanor herself! Who knows. These stories are cozy to me and I could keep listening for as long as Seanan keeps putting them out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Thanks to Redhook Books and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
This might be my biggest case of "it's not you, it's me" to date. I requested this ARC because I genuinely loved the premise of the blurb. When I started reading, I was intrigued by the inciting conflict and was interested in our main characters. I also appreciated the prose I was reading; the novel seemed well-crafted and the writing was nice and intricate without being purple.
As I read, the worldbuilding felt lacking and the pacing seemed to drag. I didn't love Violet and the decisions she was making; she seemed too naive and hesitant that I was reluctant to root for her. She seemed to lack any urgency for a climax with a definitive timeline, and because of that I found myself only able to read a couple pages at a time.
Perhaps at some point I'll pick this book back up again and give it another go. But for now, I'm going to move on.
This might be my biggest case of "it's not you, it's me" to date. I requested this ARC because I genuinely loved the premise of the blurb. When I started reading, I was intrigued by the inciting conflict and was interested in our main characters. I also appreciated the prose I was reading; the novel seemed well-crafted and the writing was nice and intricate without being purple.
As I read, the worldbuilding felt lacking and the pacing seemed to drag. I didn't love Violet and the decisions she was making; she seemed too naive and hesitant that I was reluctant to root for her. She seemed to lack any urgency for a climax with a definitive timeline, and because of that I found myself only able to read a couple pages at a time.
Perhaps at some point I'll pick this book back up again and give it another go. But for now, I'm going to move on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Abandonment
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Crane
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.0
This was our first Prose & Paperbacks Book Club pick of 2024 - thanks to everyone who read along with us! Overall, I think this book was well-written but not what I expected. I was expecting the plot to be heavy on the science fiction and implications of the double shadows. Instead, I found that the element of the additional shadows for felons was used for as a catalyst for themes of grief and parenthood and love.
I liked a number of the themes and questions the book brought about, and it left plenty of room for exploration and introspection, but I think this was done to a fault. Some concepts, like the exoskeletons, the child not having a name, and the shadows themselves, seemed prime to touch on themes and posit introspective questions, but it never really got there in any capacity. This was really disappointing to me. If you're going to skim over the sci-fi dystopian elements in lieu of literary commentary, go all the way!
In the end, I'm glad I read this. I didn't think it was a bad book per se, just not what I went in expecting. I'd read more from the author but would probably take further synopses with a grain of salt.
I liked a number of the themes and questions the book brought about, and it left plenty of room for exploration and introspection, but I think this was done to a fault. Some concepts, like the exoskeletons, the child not having a name, and the shadows themselves, seemed prime to touch on themes and posit introspective questions, but it never really got there in any capacity. This was really disappointing to me. If you're going to skim over the sci-fi dystopian elements in lieu of literary commentary, go all the way!
In the end, I'm glad I read this. I didn't think it was a bad book per se, just not what I went in expecting. I'd read more from the author but would probably take further synopses with a grain of salt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia and Police brutality
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
So happy to have ended 2023 on such a strong note. This was a hilarious, well-written, wonderful little novella and I'm so excited to continue with the series. I got attached to the characters, especially Murderbot, and was invested in the stakes and the mystery of the plot. I'm intrigued to learn more about the worldbuilding and get more answers and go on more adventures.
The end of this book made me a little sad for reasons I won't get into for spoilers, but nonetheless I've already purchased the next installment and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!
The end of this book made me a little sad for reasons I won't get into for spoilers, but nonetheless I've already purchased the next installment and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Walking to Aldebaran by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
3.25
After my success with Elder Race, I decided to give another short book by Tchaikovsky a try, and unfortunately this was more of a miss for me. This novella started out strong and I really enjoyed the voice of our main character throughout. It reminded me a lot of Mark Watney from The Martian if he had been transplanted into a dark and wacky alternative exoplanet. I chuckled out loud at a couple lines, so props to the good writing and the good line delivery by the audiobook narrator.
Apart from the fun protagonist and interesting first few chapters, this book sort of lost me about halfway in. This book kind of had a hard time keeping my attention, but I'll admit that that might be on me for listening to an audiobook during a stressful time of year. Going to leave my rating where it is right now but could be convinced to give this one another go.
Apart from the fun protagonist and interesting first few chapters, this book sort of lost me about halfway in. This book kind of had a hard time keeping my attention, but I'll admit that that might be on me for listening to an audiobook during a stressful time of year. Going to leave my rating where it is right now but could be convinced to give this one another go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Body horror
Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.25
I read this book at the recommendation of my husband as a shorter book to get close to passing my 2023 reading goal. I was skeptical at first but ended up really enjoying myself! I liked the writing style and thought the story was well-suited to a novella. There was a good amount of character development and I found myself caring about our protagonist(s), which is something that's hard for me to do with shorter texts.
Sometimes the pacing felt a little all over the place, and I wish the ending had provided more catharsis than it did. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the ending. I predicted the climax and enjoyed how it played out, and I understand that not every story has to have a happy ending, but I was hoping for a little more relief for our protagonists.
I'm glad I picked this one up and I would be interested in reading more from Tchaikovsky in the future.
Sometimes the pacing felt a little all over the place, and I wish the ending had provided more catharsis than it did. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the ending. I predicted the climax and enjoyed how it played out, and I understand that not every story has to have a happy ending, but I was hoping for a little more relief for our protagonists.
I'm glad I picked this one up and I would be interested in reading more from Tchaikovsky in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Suicidal thoughts
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
As usual, Alice Oseman delivers diverse, lighthearted, and deeply enjoyable plot and characters with a charming art style and fast-paced plot. This wasn't my favorite installment because it felt more like disjoint stories an plot elements than the full cohesive story I felt I experienced in earlier books. That's not to say I didn't love it - I really, really did - but I was left craving more.
Feeling bittersweet that there's only going to be one more volume, but I am excited to pick this up as a completed set once it's all out in paperback!
Feeling bittersweet that there's only going to be one more volume, but I am excited to pick this up as a completed set once it's all out in paperback!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Gyo by Junji Ito
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Junji Ito might be the only artist who can get me to read and enjoy manga. Uzumaki was a favorite of mine this year, so I went ahead and bought Tomie and Gyo as well, so this is my section exposure to him. And it was very, very good.
I will continue to praise Ito's use of space and the page as a physical tension builder for the reader. I love being afraid to turn the page to see what beautiful horror he's created on the other side. This is especially true here because Gyo is big on body horror. As in, physical "EUGH" reaction body horror. This is a weird and nasty little tale.
The illustrations, as always, are vivid and immaculate in their horror and detail. As a very visual reader with no internal monologue, these panels really pull me in and envelop me into the story - which, of course, means much more visceral reactions to everything. I thought the premise here was intriguing and the evolution of the plot was well though-out and executed. I do wish we had gotten more of an explanation about the legged creatures; many times I'm okay with ambiguity but a plotline for answers was explored but never fully concluded. The ending was good but not my favorite, and while I loved how Uzumaki had some broader themes about the human condition, those were more absent here.
All in all, a quick and fun read, but Uzumaki reigns supreme for Junji Ito so far.
I will continue to praise Ito's use of space and the page as a physical tension builder for the reader. I love being afraid to turn the page to see what beautiful horror he's created on the other side. This is especially true here because Gyo is big on body horror. As in, physical "EUGH" reaction body horror. This is a weird and nasty little tale.
The illustrations, as always, are vivid and immaculate in their horror and detail. As a very visual reader with no internal monologue, these panels really pull me in and envelop me into the story - which, of course, means much more visceral reactions to everything. I thought the premise here was intriguing and the evolution of the plot was well though-out and executed. I do wish we had gotten more of an explanation about the legged creatures; many times I'm okay with ambiguity but a plotline for answers was explored but never fully concluded. The ending was good but not my favorite, and while I loved how Uzumaki had some broader themes about the human condition, those were more absent here.
All in all, a quick and fun read, but Uzumaki reigns supreme for Junji Ito so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gore
The Silence in Her Eyes by Armando Lucas Correa
I'll end this by saying that I believe Correa is a talented historical fiction writer, and the premise here could have been promising. This just wasn't the hit it could have been. I could see some people enjoying this book for the mystery and the thrill of the reveal, but overall I don't think I'll be recommending this one.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
I was excited to read this book because the premise seemed very compelling and I've heard that Correa's historical fiction has been very well received. I am so sad that this was such a miss for me.
The story was okay until about the halfway point, probably a three-star read, but the time jump and plot left-turn was a real struggle to get through.
Normally I try to make these reviews have some depth to them, but I'm going to keep this to a bulleted list to keep myself from getting too deep into the weeds on any one point.
I was excited to read this book because the premise seemed very compelling and I've heard that Correa's historical fiction has been very well received. I am so sad that this was such a miss for me.
The story was okay until about the halfway point, probably a three-star read, but the time jump and plot left-turn was a real struggle to get through.
Normally I try to make these reviews have some depth to them, but I'm going to keep this to a bulleted list to keep myself from getting too deep into the weeds on any one point.
- The crux of this book - that the protagonist has akinetopsia - is compelling but ends up not being essential to the plot at all.
- Despite the fact that our protagonist, Leah, can still very much see (all she is lacking is the ability to see movement), she has developed Daredevil-like abilities of hearing and smell that it's too unbelievable for me to ascribe to.
- Similar to the previous point, I simply cannot suspend my disbelief to the point where I'm okay with the fact that Leah can simply stop using her sense of smell on command.
- Our protagonist leaps to conclusions like she's a professional hurdler and yet she is somehow always right.
- I actually called the reveal of this book about 20% of the way in, so I'm glad that it went the direction that it did, but the big twist seemed anticlimactic and poorly executed.
- There is backstory with a specific character that is alluded to have meaning to the mystery/plot Leah is trying to solve, but the point is ultimately meaningless and has no real reason to be included except as an unbelievable red herring.
- In fact, a lot of the subplots in this story (see: the reason for the title of the book) end up not contributing to the plot in any meaningful way, leaving me wondering why they were included in the first place.
- I didn't know what akinetopsia was going into this book, but I only needed one explanation to get the idea, and yet Leah uses the same explanations and description for her condition at least five times (probably more) throughout the book. I felt like I was being patronized or like the author thought I'd forgotten.
- The writing was almost painful at points. From a very "tell-not-show" style to laughable scenes (like the one where Leah takes a photo of bergamot, captions it "bergamot" and posts it to Instagram to her 100k+ follower photography page), a thriller that is supposed to be taken seriously shouldn't have points where I'm snorting out loud.
I'll end this by saying that I believe Correa is a talented historical fiction writer, and the premise here could have been promising. This just wasn't the hit it could have been. I could see some people enjoying this book for the mystery and the thrill of the reveal, but overall I don't think I'll be recommending this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
After the People Lights Have Gone Off by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I always love when I have time to read a backlist of a favorite author. Stephen Graham Jones is one of my favorite horror authors (my all-time coolest claim is having him repost my ARC review of My Heart is a Chainsaw to his personal website), and this short story collection of his has been on my list for a while.
As with every short story collection, some where better than others, but a few of the stories have really stuck with me and have a lot of impact. I always appreciate Jones' ability to write eerie and tense scenes and trusting the reader to be smart and catch on to what he's doing. We all know I'll get my hands on anything he puts out.
Here is my rating for each story in the collection (my overall rating is the average of all these):
As with every short story collection, some where better than others, but a few of the stories have really stuck with me and have a lot of impact. I always appreciate Jones' ability to write eerie and tense scenes and trusting the reader to be smart and catch on to what he's doing. We all know I'll get my hands on anything he puts out.
Here is my rating for each story in the collection (my overall rating is the average of all these):
- Thirteen - 4.25
- Brushdogs- 4.25
- Welcome to the Reptile House - 2.5
- This is Love - 4.5
- The Spindly Man - 3
- The Black Sleeve of Destiny - 2.75
- The Spider Box - 3.75
- Snow Monsters - 4.5
- Doc’s Story - 2.5
- The Dead Are Not - 3
- Xebico - 3.5
- Second Chances - 4.75
- After the People Lights Have Gone Off - 4.75
- Uncle - 4
- Solve for X - 3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Homophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Suicide