katherine_a_d's Reviews (345)

(ah yes, another stream of consciousness review)

And so my hatred and/or general feelings of mediocrity about the Youngstown State University English Festival books begin. My teacher gave me the scoop last year that the board is a bunch of older/middle-aged adults picking books for teens to read based on what they think they’ll enjoy, and it shows. Sometimes there’s bangers in there ngl. Last year had Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, you can’t fail with that. A few years ago was Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko—another banger. Me (Moth) by Amber McBride was the first book I read this year (bc it was the only one on my actual tbr), and I LOVED IT. And I knew it would only be downhill from there. But it’s ok because this is my last year I’m able to do English Festival🥲👍

Swarm—omg—I cracked open the first chapter and just KNEW it would be mid. I lasted like 5 chapters then gave up and switched to audio. The idea is cool (I guess) but I found the execution and general vibes to be juvenile. The way they handled the main character’s mental heath issues, mostly with panic attacks, was quite good and I commend the author. That’s the only standout quality to me, the rest is mid. Not BAD, I gave it 3 stars after all, but just MID. The 4 year old little brother was written like a 4 year old, so kudos, but also—4 year olds can be very annoying ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE TO LOCK YOURSELVES UP IN THE BASEMENT AND CAN’T LEAVE!!!!!!


There’s also the matter of Swarm being horror. I have been treated—spoiled, even—by my fictional horror podcasts/audio dramas. I know what phenomenal horror looks like…Swarm is not that. Parts I was jiving with. Even got an “oh—ewww! ok, no, stop that” out of me on occasion (in a good way). The problem is that nothing was ever really scary. Partly due to the fact that I couldn’t give two flying shits about any of the characters ESPECIALLY THAT LITTLE BROTHER!! It’s like “oh no big man-eating bug scarwy🥺👉👈” Yeah, I don’t give a shit. I was never going “😟😱😰😨🫣,” I was just going “🫥.” To me, there was nothing *horrific* about anything. Just MID. PAINFULLY MID! I could see right through the horror writing tactics AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY! I can could see what you’re trying to do, and you’re doing it mediocrely.

First of all, I LOVVVEEE the vibes. This is a proper gothic where you can tell the author read and was heavily inspired by the classics. It has all the thematic trademarks: moody setting (especially spooky buildings), insanity, has wolves/dogs (idk ask Bram Stoker, references the supernatural, loves a good moon, romance, obsession, morally ambiguous characters. I ate this bad boy up like a vampire 🧛🧛🧛🧛

I also loved the theme with being hungery (if you couldn’t guess by the title and the vampire inspo). The book doesn’t have vampires really. It’s never explicitly stated, only weird vampire stuff happens like Carmilla being spooky by popping out of nowhere from a moonbeam or something. The vampire-ness is substituted with the idea of being insatiably hungry; which, in turn, is used as a metaphor for the female experience, especially in that time period. You want to do these things, live a life, be yourself, but are unable to. You hunger to live, but are never sated. 

And this idea is run through THE ENTIRE BOOK with the main character, Lenore. Lenore HUNGERS and properly comes to realize this after meeting Carmilla, who indoctrinates her with ✨the feminism✨. It’s written in a way as if Lenore becomes a vampire once she’s aware: she is even more hungry and more violent. (That revenge quest was really satisfying ngl.) Vampirism, in this book, is allegory for the female experience.

yeah, idk how to feel

on one hand, i liked the vibes and the plot but as i neared the end, it petered out for me and the other elements of the book weren’t strong enough to keep me invested

the characters—omg the characters—Hana and Keishin are blander than an unsalted boiled potato and i don’t particularly care about their relationship either. THE INSTA-LOVE WAS CRAZY if i was insta-attraction that grew into love, i’d be ok with that BUT NOPE! FULL THROTTLE 100% NO BRAKES! 

i love Haruto tho he deserved better😔

the audiobook🤭 omg
jaw dropped. scratched my fictional podcast itch (outing myself with that take) it is truly phenomenal and anybody who wants to read this must do it on audiobook for your own mental health

this book is like crack for my brain. what did i just read, in a good way

thank you, have a nice day

this is not my usual flavor of books, but i was in a mood so i mood i shall be in😤

it’s by no means the pinnacle of literature, and idc. it does have literally every trope under the sun, though. take that as you will. i had fun but i don’t think i’ll be continuing the series

so goodbye rose bargain, till we meet again (which won’t be again (probably))