caseythereader's reviews
1836 reviews

emotional funny hopeful 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: No

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funny informative fast-paced

Thanks to St. Martins Press for the free copy of this book.

 - WHACK JOB tells the history of the axe through the stories of murders throughout the centuries. Ranging through prehistory to Henry VIII all the way up to 2019, we get a look at how the axe has gone from essential tool to punch line.
- I enjoyed that there were cases I had never heard of mixed in with well known murderers like Lizzie Borden.
- McCarthy James blends deep research with a bit of humor, making it feel like you’re getting a story from your smartest friend (disclosure/spoiler alert: Rachel is a friend of mine from college so I can confirm she’s your smartest friend).
 

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challenging emotional hopeful sad 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny lighthearted 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: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

Thanks to Tor Books for the free copy of this book.

 - I am still mulling over NOTES FROM A REGICIDE, which is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. All three main characters are trans, living in a future that feels like the past. The story is told via Griffon sorting through his father’s journals after his death, and there’s a bit of sci-fi in the mix as well.
- The story is character driven, with the action happening off to the side, in the past, as we excavate who Etoine and Zaffre were. They are among the messiest, most flawed characters I’ve read in a long time, and even though you know where it’s all headed you still find yourself hoping they’ll sort themselves out.
 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Thanks to Vintage Books for the free copy of this book.

 - I am a huge fan of TJ Alexander, and A GENTLEMAN’S GENTLEMAN is their best work yet.
- I adored absolutely everything about Christopher and James. The two of them are sweet babies who deserve the entire world. I loved realizing where the plot was headed and mentally yelling at them to figure it out so they could kiss already!
- I particularly love how Alexander balanced what the reality of being trans in Regency England may have been like with joy and friendship and love. Alexander’s books always have a core of hope and love, and this is no exception. 

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free copy of this book.

 - ALL THE WATER IN THE WORLD combines climate fiction with a dash of thriller as you follow this group trying to escape a flooded New York.
- I loved that the characters were museum employees, and they’d holed up at the AMNH, which they take to calling Amen. It brings a historical view to the story, and emphasizes the importance of preservation and memory.
- To be honest, I felt kind of medium on this book when I finished listening to it, but since then I find myself still thinking about certain scenes and feeling more and more positively about it as time goes on. 

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informative medium-paced

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challenging dark emotional informative medium-paced

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings