booktribe's Reviews (603)

Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird

Agustina Bazterrica

DID NOT FINISH: 49%

I’m halfway through and only one story has been memorable, so imma DNF.

Ratings:
  • A Light, Swift, and Monstrous Sound: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
  • Roberto: ⭐️⭐️✨ (cw: pedophilia)
  • Unamuno’s Boxes: ⭐️✨
  • Candy Pink: ⭐️⭐️✨
  • Anita and Happiness: ⭐️⭐️
  • Dishwasher: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Earth: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
  • Perfect Symmetry: ⭐️
  • The Wolf’s Breath: ⭐️✨ 
  • Teacher vs. Nietzsche: DNF 
  • The Dead: ⭐️⭐️✨

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

CG Drews’ previous book, Don’t Let the Forest In, was my favorite books of 2024! I was incredibly excited to read more of their work, and Hazelthorn did not disappoint!

The plot was so fast-moving! Someone was already dead by the third chapter👀! The plot was also extremely mysterious. Whenever I thought I had everything figured out, the mystery went in a new, exciting direction. The story kept me guessing the entire time. (I did have some correct guesses though, so shoutout to me😉) And that ending!! I saw the author say on social media that the heartbreak that we would feel after Hazelthorn would be worse than the one we all felt after Don’t Let the Forest In and… yeah… I am not okay…

I did think the writing was a little TOO flowery in this one. It felt less natural than in DLTFI and a little more heavy handed. Some of the metaphors & analogies felt forced at times in my opinion. I also didn’t feel as connected to the characters in this one. Those two things kept it from being a five star read for me, but I truly enjoyed this and am very excited for CG Drews next release: You Did Nothing Wrong!

Thank you Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the arc. All opinions are my own. 

CW: blood, gore, child abuse, medical abuse, ableism, eating disorders, and body horror

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark reflective tense medium-paced

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective

A much needed love letter to Black women & the communities we create with each other, as well as tips on how to foster supportive communities in our own lives❤️

side note: this is the first audiobook I’ve ever been able to get into in my life, so I’d highly recommend it!

Frenzied - A Suspense Thriller

Brandon Massey

DID NOT FINISH: 24%

way too repetitive.

Bishop

Candace Nola

DID NOT FINISH: 22%

Couldn’t catch my attention. Stopped on chapter 5.

Devils Kill Devils

Johnny Compton

DID NOT FINISH: 53%

I’m intrigued by what’s happening, but the writing is so long-winded that it’s moving way too slow for me.