Take a photo of a barcode or cover
916 reviews by:
unsuccessfulbookclub
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:
Yes
This is a solid little Hissy RoNo with sexy lawyering and some gender bending fun at the beginning. There are some Aggressively Hetero™️ moments in this, but in general pacing, banter and chemistry were great.
It does have a trope in it that I abhor,surprise pregnancy but I thought it was handled rather well. The brothers are really delightful side characters, both Bertram and Leo! Tracy really brings the heat as well - this one is quite spicy with multiple descriptive intimate scenes very well written.
It does have a trope in it that I abhor,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Pregnancy
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, Death of parent
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Super cute premise and the plot had just enough going on for me to keep reading. Some of the action was a little lacking in description and in general the whole book needed one more round of edit - a few small typos and grammatical errors - but generally so so so cute and with some great laugh out loud moments.
A quick read. I really loved both MCs and thought Hannah’s relationship with her dad was highly relatable. Graham is a sweetheart and him adjusting to modern times was really funny most of the time. I just wish there were more scenes of the MCs figuring out modern life together and less “they talked and spent time together” sentences.
A quick read. I really loved both MCs and thought Hannah’s relationship with her dad was highly relatable. Graham is a sweetheart and him adjusting to modern times was really funny most of the time. I just wish there were more scenes of the MCs figuring out modern life together and less “they talked and spent time together” sentences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content
Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexism
Minor: Death of parent, War
adventurous
funny
tense
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
In this 140-page first installment, we meet Murderbot, a security unit who is made up of organic and inorganic parts (think robot-human hybrid). Murderbot has no gender and hates its job. We learn through its inner monologue that it’s designed to kill and/or protect based on its contract but it has hacked the module that controls it. Mainly what Murderbot *wants* to do is watch its favorite show, Sanctuary Moon, on the entertainment feed. Did I say Murderbot is highly relatable? Murderbot is highly relatable.
What ensues is a fast-paced science fiction mystery full of reveals and cool technology as well as LOTS of curious *feelings* from Murderbot. Murderbot’s inner monologue is hilarious and heartfelt. You just can’t help but sympathize with it. In a lot of ways it reminded me of a great episode of Dr Who, where there is a lot going on and basically no explanation of the backstory or world you are in - just the characters interacting and things happening. At the same time, I developed strong emotional attachments to not only Murderbot but also its humans, and that is a testament to Martha Waters’ writing.
👍🏻Recommended! If you like science fiction, Dr. Who and sassy, relatable protagonists, you will like this. Do check the CW - it is pretty viscerally violent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, Murder
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a weird, wild, hilarious, terrifying ride. I’m sad that NKJ decided to make this a duology but I’m thankful that she powered through to finish it. The author’s note speaks to the fact that reality kept getting ahead of her plot, and that was extremely mentally challenging for her in the height of a pandemic. It does feel like she planned on three books in that a few elements felt a little rushed, and I would have liked more time with a few of the characters BUT NK wrapped up the story in a satisfying way nonetheless.
For those looking for an NK Jemisin entry point, this duology is a great choice. The pacing is breakneck, the world is fully developed and very visceral. The characters are incredibly diverse and realistic (well, as realistic as human avatars of the city of New York can be). There are weird alien attackers and pedestrian evils. I dunno. I loved it. Can I really explain it? No. 😂
👍🏻Recommended! If you like modern fantasy through an incredibly intersectional lens, you will like this. Worth reading on the verge of an election as a reminder that the evils we live with every day are just as dangerous as metaphysical floating cities populated by weird tentacled beings bent on our destruction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, War
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is the answer to "how bad could this little KU novella be?" And that answer is: BAD.
I think the best way to describe this is the Spark Notes version of a low low rent community theater version of someone's idea of a Scottish historical romance.
It had no redeeming qualities and I feel stupider for having read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yeahhhh I *did not* like this. It's got a HEAVY dose of "if you love a sh'tty person hard enough, they'll miraculously get better with no work on themselves" and some very sketch bondage moments with okay consent but horrible aftercare. Also features one of my absolute LEAST favorite plot devices: the informational imbalance.
I also didn't enjoy the "corrupt cops can be okay" middle ground it danced on and the third act breakup and grovel were lacking. The characters acted like teenagers despite being in their late 20s. It's a no from me dawg.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape
Minor: Child death, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is like the perfect mix of Things Clare Likes: dystopian hellscape, road-trip, absolutely swoony love story, scorching hot spice, quirky idiots doing Real Stuff™️, HIGH STAKES outside the relationship, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, realistic and emotionally charged conflict…ugh so good.
Dystopian monster romance? Yes this genre exists. I know, I was surprised too. The thing I enjoyed the most about Wyn and Danny’s story was that even though it was outrageous and totally fantastical, the situation they were in together allowed their relationship to develop slowly and realistically. I mean, there’s “forced proximity” and then there’s “a mass-murdering monster* saved me from the military and now we are on the run together through a deserted United States crawling with raiders, monsters and other dangers.” Like I said: STAKES ARE HIGH.
*there’s more than meets the eye here, but I’ll let you read it to find out.
👍🏻RECOMMENDED. Check the CW - this is a romance but there are a lot of horror elements in it that were familiar to me as a plague novel/dystopian horror enthusiast that might be hard to take if you’re not expecting them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail