leahrosereads's Reviews (1.04k)

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Start: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

What I loved
Much like Dr. Okorafor's other novellas, this one starts off with a bang and then doesn't let up.  The characters are phenomenally written and it was impossible to not root for them and hope that everything would be OK. AO and DNA go through so much here just trying to stay alive.

A lot of the science and tech went over my head, but I still felt like I was able to enjoy the story and the topics it was exploring.  

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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What I loved
Absolutely freaking everything.  This heart wrenching story lent itself perfectly to be told in verse. It was powerful, poignant, and touches on so many important topics.  From racism to the absolute injustices of the US prison system, this story doesn't hold back any punches when it comes to it's message.

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐
Start: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐.5
Ending: ⭐⭐
Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I loved
The beginning drew me in. I was so interested in everything that what happening with Ben and the book, but then, it started going a bit downhill for me.  I felt like the plot got a little lost, and I do not like animal/pet deaths.  In this case, there was no reason for it other than to show the change in the character.

I'm definitely interested in checking out other books by this author, but I'll be more cautious going into them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy.

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Start: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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What I loved
Telling these stories in short fiction format was brilliant! While if have loved to see a lot of these in longer form (simply because I wasn't ready to say goodbye), I loved having the opportunity to discover new authors and see their writing styles in one fantastic anthology.  

I can't speak to the cultural aspects or significance of these stories, but this anthology was excellent! Cannot wait for everyone to get a chance to read these!

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Start: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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What I loved
I absolutely loved how immediately immersed and invested into this story and these characters I was.  There was a lot of information about the world thrown at the reader while going down a rabbit hole of murder, cults, and secrecy.  I sometimes felt as overwhelmed as the characters, but still, it worked for me.  

The characters were definitely a highlight for me, and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs we got to read from.  

This was a stunning and fascinating genre blended story of fantasy, horror and thriller-y goodness, and I cannot wait for book 2!

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Start: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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What I loved
Seeing a new school was so fascinating! I loved that Cora got more to her story, and even a few others.  This was a phenomenal connecting novella that brought some really interesting elements into play.  Cannot wait to see where it all goes next!

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I loved
This is my favorite type of sci-fi, techy but with enough whimsy and weirdness to keep me completely intrigued even when the science might be going over my head. Just like with the first book, I absolutely loved the characters. All of them.  Nino Cipri really knows how to get a reader totally invested really early on and keep us hoping for the best outcome until the very end. 

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I loved
Caitlin Starling's prose and just the way she told this incredibly unsettling, bizarre novella, was excellent!  I loved the characters and how all of the little plot strings tied so well together in the end.  I was absolutely invested in everything that was happening. This is the type of gothic c horror I can get behind.

If you loved The Monster of Elendhaven, I highly recommend this one!

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐.5
Plot: ⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐.5
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐

What I wish I loved
OK, I'm admitting defeat. Officially calling it, but I will not be reading, or at least buying, this author's work anymore.  I came incredibly close to DNFing this but kept going simply because it's so short.

I wish I loved this weird, little story and these bizarre characters, and this horrific setting, but none of it mattered to me. Not the beginning or any of the middles or the, what I'm assuming was supposed to be a shocking end.

The basics
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I loved
From page 1, I was completely invested. V. Castro can absolutely weave a story, bringing it to life, and ensnaring the reader, holding our attention until the very last page.  The characters were dynamic, the twist on the possession trope was brilliant, and there were plenty of eerie and surprising moments that kept me on my toes.

I very rarely say this, because I love novellas, but I wish there was more. Not because anything is missing here, but just because I selfishly want more.