diamondxgirl's reviews
1728 reviews

The Favorites delivers a smart reimagining of classic themes, a tense sports drama, and a scorching romance that feels as much about ambition as it does about love. It’s a glamorous, messy ride full of spite, love, and enough ambition to make your heart race. Told in a documentary-style format, it's as gripping as a figure skater’s breathtaking Olympic performance. The structure, comprising interviews, diary entries, and fragmented perspectives, mirrors the layered complexity of the characters’ emotions, making for an utterly immersive experience. The narration, which expertly balances intensity and subtlety, brings this story of obsession and sacrifice to life in a way that feels both voyeuristic and intimate. 

At the heart of the novel is the electric relationship between Kat and Heath, two ice dancers whose love and rivalry are as intertwined as their skating routines. Their ferocious passion and manipulative dynamic will keep you hooked. The audiobook’s performances capture the tension and messiness of this relationship perfectly, every spoken word feels charged, making each shift in their connection feel real and raw. This is a full docu-drama, and I was 100% in at all moments. 

The Favorites is unpauseable (see what I did there). The story moves at a thrilling, almost dizzying speed. From one jaw-dropping twist to the next, the plot never lets up, keeping you on the edge of your seat, unsure of who to trust and who will come out on top. The documentary format adds an extra layer of suspense, like piecing together a puzzle from conflicting perspectives, you’re never entirely sure who’s telling the truth, which only deepens the intrigue. From the very first chapter, you’ll be hooked on the glittering, twisted journey, and you’ll find yourself desperately wanting to know what happens next. If you’re looking for a high-octane story full of passion, betrayal, and unforgettable characters, this story will have you completely captivated from start to finish. 

Clay McLeod Chapman’s Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a visceral, electrifying horror novel that cuts to the bone of contemporary America, taking on societal divisions, apocalyptic anxiety, and the dark undercurrents of modern life. Known for his ability to craft stories that are both deeply unsettling and socially poignant, Chapman’s latest work amplifies these talents to their peak, creating a narrative that feels both terrifying and urgently relevant. As an audiobook, this novel is an immersive experience that amplifies its visceral horror, drawing listeners into a world where the body becomes a battleground for power and survival. The narration and sound design elevate the experience, making the novel’s dark themes and gruesome imagery even more immediate and terrifying.

At its heart, this novel is a frenetic exploration of what happens when the foundations of society, and the very people we rely on, start to crumble. The premise is simple yet horrifying: an ordinary world starts to spiral into chaos as something insidious begins to transform those around the protagonist into something monstrous. What begins as a story of personal terror quickly grows into a larger metaphor for a society teetering on the edge of collapse. Sound familiar? 

The book’s greatest strength lies in its ability to disturb on multiple levels. Chapman weaves an explosive blend of body horror, apocalyptic dread, and familial conflict, making the novel a gut-wrenching experience from start to finish. The possession elements are cleverly subverted, using the horror tropes as a way to explore the deep fractures in American culture. There’s a constant sense of claustrophobia and tension as the protagonist navigates this increasingly nightmarish landscape (and when I say nightmare, I mean NIGHTMARE). The story mirrors the anxieties of our time, from political polarization to the fear of losing control over the people closest to us. The book is as much a psychological thriller as it is a social commentary, and that duality makes it so unnerving. 

Chapman’s signature dark humor is darker than ever, providing brief moments of relief before plunging readers back into the horror. The language is sharp, cinematic, and unrelenting, making the experience feel like a roller coaster of tension, gore, and emotional devastation. And just when you think you know where the story is headed, Chapman throws in yet another twist, keeping you on edge right up to the final word. 

This novel is a sociopolitical fever dream that not only terrifies but makes us confront the horrifying potential of our own real-world divisions. In the end, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is more than a horror story, it’s a reflection of our time, a terrifying reminder of what might happen if we can’t tackle Fox I mean FAX media and bridge the growing gaps between us. This is a story that’s as much about confronting the horror within ourselves as it is about surviving the collapse of society, and the audiobook makes that horror feel even more intimate. Whether you’re listening during a long drive or curled up at home, the experience will undoubtedly haunt you, long after the final chapter. 

In the midst of growing fascist and authoritarian rhetoric here in the US and around the world, Girl Rebels offers a vital source of inspiration for young people navigating a landscape where freedoms are under threat. The stories in this graphic novel are more than just tales of resistance; they are a lifeline, showing young readers that they are not powerless in the face of rising oppression, even in the darkest of circumstances (attempted murder, ongoing hatred, etc). Each of the young women featured is unique, bringing her own struggles and experiences to the table. Together, they showcase a collective force that challenges the status quo. These young women are not passive; they actively resist, question, and fight against the systems that seek to silence and control them. Some of their stories I was familiar with while others offered a new perspective or depth to the young person I hadn’t seen.

What makes Girl Rebels especially relevant today is how it reflects the rising tide of authoritarianism. In a society where we often see marginalized voices, and young voices, silenced and dissent increasingly criminalized, the novel’s message is clear: resistance is both necessary and empowering. For young readers, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, these stories are not just aspirational but are deeply personal. They offer readers a chance to see themselves in the role of change-makers and show that even the smallest acts of resistance can lead to monumental change.

More than just a story about rebellion, Girl Rebels is a call to action for young people to recognize their own power and use it to challenge the injustices they see in the world. The stories in the novel show that activism doesn’t have to take one form. It can be big or small, public or private, but it always starts with a desire to create change. For young readers, particularly those who may feel disillusioned or powerless in the face of rising political unrest, these characters serve as a beacon of hope and an invitation to stand up for what they believe in.

The act of resistance is not just about fighting back; it’s about taking a stand for dignity, equality, and justice. The novel reinforces that activism can be a deeply personal journey, and each rebel’s path is unique. Whether they’re organizing protests, speaking truth to power, or simply offering support to one another, the young women in this story demonstrate the importance of solidarity and collective action.

One of the standout features of Girl Rebels is its medium. As a graphic novel, it combines visually captivating illustrations with compelling narratives, making the stories accessible and engaging for a wide audience. The power of the graphic novel format lies in its ability to convey complex emotions and themes through art, adding an extra layer of depth to the written word, stories readers may have engaged through news outlets previously. The expressive artwork captures the intensity of the characters’ struggles, whether they’re fighting against injustice or dealing with internal conflict. The fluidity of the visuals complements the pacing of the story, creating an immersive experience that pulls readers in and keeps them invested from start to finish.

The graphic novel format also makes the stories more relatable for young readers, many of whom have grown up in an increasingly visual world. The combination of striking art and rich dialogue in Girl Rebels allows for a more immediate emotional connection to the characters, while the dynamic illustrations make the action come alive in ways that pure prose often cannot.

As fascism and authoritarianism gain ground globally, it’s crucial that young people have access to stories that inspire courage, resistance, and hope. Girl Rebels offers an essential book for this moment in history, reminding readers that they are not alone in their fight for a more just and equitable world. In a time when resistance is needed more than ever, this graphic novel offers a vivid and powerful example of what it looks like to stand up against oppressive forces, and it leaves readers with a renewed sense of agency and purpose.

For anyone looking to reignite their passion for activism or searching for a graphic novel that tackles important social issues with intelligence and heart, Girl Rebels is a must-read. It’s a brilliant combination of art, narrative, and inspiration that encourages readers to embrace their inner rebel and fight for a better future.

A.S. King's intro sets the stage for the story: nine authors, each given a prompt to write a story about a person and their unique collection (and make it weird). But the magic of The Collectors lies in how each author twists this concept into something more than just an accumulation of things. In these stories, collecting becomes a reflection of memory, identity, loss, and even trauma. And it's all dark AF. I loved it. 

The strength of The Collectors lies in the diversity of voices and experiences. While the concept of collecting is universal, the stories in this anthology feel incredibly personal, each author bringing their own perspective and themes we know them for to the idea. What makes this collection truly stand out is the way these stories ask big questions: What do we collect and why? What does a collection say about us, about our hopes, our fears, and the ways we cope with the world around us? It made me think about my own collections - both physical and metaphorical. I always say I am not sentimental and that if my house burned to the ground, there's little I would miss. But what if my mind, my memories, burned to the ground? Dementia is one of my biggest fears in growing older. 

The audiobook adds a special layer, particularly since one of the stories is illustrated (listen to a sample here). The different narrators for each story add a sense of variety and freshness, while still allowing the collection to feel cohesive as a whole. My favorite stories were by Cory McCarthy, M.T. Anderson (absolutely horrifying - give me more), and Randy Ribay. In a world that often tells us to let go of the past and focus on the future, The Collectors is a reminder that sometimes the things we gather, whether physical or emotional, are what make us who we are. This collection is a treasure in itself, a mosaic of voices that will stay with you long after you finish reading. When you read other reviews, you'll see that everyone took a different piece of it for their own collection. And that's why I am here writing a review. I hope you'll give it a try.

Everything about this was absolutely beautiful and I could have read another 100 pages of these characters, easily. 

Interesting jaunts of how Vader interacted with his world, as told through black, white, and red artistry. Fitting colors for a man keen on absolutes and violence.