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thoughtsontomes's reviews
778 reviews
Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy by Jessica Fern
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
This was one of the best books I’ve read on attachment and how to work with and heal attachment wounds both within and outside of relationships. This book is applicable to both monogamous and polyamorous people.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
I wasn’t familiar with this actress but still found the telling of her story as a child star with a narcissistic parent to be interesting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Regretting Motherhood: A Study by Orna Donath
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This didn’t really tell me anything new but moreso was further proof and looking into how many women feel about motherhood
The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O'Rourke
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
An interesting look at chronic illness and how society handles the chronically ill as well as areas of improvement needed particularly in the medical system
Saint Death's Daughter by C.S.E. Cooney
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
If you like spooky bone magic, this is for you. This is more whimsical gothic than other weird necromancy books I’ve read, which was a delight. There’s some pretty heavy worldbuilding at times and not everything is wrapped up nicely (I originally didn’t realize it was a series) but knowing there’s more books to come leaves me interested.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness and Self harm
Monstress, Vol. 4: The Chosen by Sana Takeda, Marjorie Liu
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.75
I continue to enjoy the expansion of this story. This installment was a bit more filler though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Cannibalism, and War
Moderate: Torture
Possession
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is a stunning depiction of people within and growing past an abusive relationship. This author’s descriptions are evocative and poetic. The ending felt a little too bright for what is ultimately a gothic horror but overall I deeply enjoyed this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, and War
Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This series is still one of my favorites but this installment felt like more of a side-quest. I was probably just as confused with this one as I was with Harrow, but I overall enjoyed the plot and characters and atmosphere of Harrow more. There was not enough weird bone shit in this one! That's one of my favorite parts! Ultimately this series can be confusing, but I found the previous installments to be a more enjoyable ride where this one felt like you had to comb over it more for clues to the meta plot and I just don't care to do that much re-reading for an installment that I wasn't as hooked by. I did love the ending though and am very much looking forward to how this series will end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, and Blood
Babel by R.F. Kuang
tense
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
3.0
I don't know what to rate this. I will return when I do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexism
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
dark
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
5.0
This book is such a visceral experience of dread and discomfort. There are a ton of dark themes explored in this book, and it is the perfect example of a gothic horror novel - which imo is not so much scary as deeply unsettling. Ava Reid's writing continues to be beautiful even when describing the grotesque. In particular, the way that she weaves sexuality with horror left me feeling so uncomfortable (intentionally). The themes of generational trauma, the identities of womanhood, and what makes a monster resonated with me even amongst some of the unsettling content. Between this and this author's debut novel both being 5 stars for me, they are solidified as a new favorite author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism