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suncourts's reviews
240 reviews
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The writing is lush and equal parts horrific and melancholic. Some would consider Marlinchen a weak protagonist, but I think Reid does a decent job in showing how the years of abuse and lies have wounded Marlinchen mentally and emotionally. Admittedly, I was only aware of the warning regarding the cannibalism content and didn't make any attempt to check out the other content warnings needed for this book. I was able to stomach it well enough but I would rethink picking this if darker themes aren't something a reader may be able to handle.
That said, It was an interesting read and different from what I normally go for. But I think it's helped me step into the gothic horror/horror genre a little more. The sex scenes and what got some of the characters off were a little "aha what???" And though I adored Sevas, the instant romance was a little much given everything else.
That said, It was an interesting read and different from what I normally go for. But I think it's helped me step into the gothic horror/horror genre a little more. The sex scenes and what got some of the characters off were a little "aha what???" And though I adored Sevas, the instant romance was a little much given everything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Grief, and Death of parent
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, and Blood
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
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? Yes
5.0
The Storm of Echoes by Christelle Dabos
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
3.5
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
The Memory of Babel by Christelle Dabos
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
Would have enjoyed this more if it weren’t for the use of the r-slur and the weird bits of what in my heart felt like reminders that this series is written by a white French woman (see: Zen and the way she described Fearless’ son).