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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Self harm
a quiet book about mental health. there’s no real recovery, but it’s certainly interesting to read about a how someone navigates relationships while having a mental health crisis.
Each of the major characters in this novel are depicted with precision and compassion in a way that still makes me think of them weeks after reading, as though they were acquaintances whose fates still concern me. I wonder how they’re doing now, and what paths they have taken since I last checked in on them. The plot surprises beyond the compelling premise, and I was left confounded by the book’s ability to narrate scenes with immersive imagery and fascinating interactions between characters I could hear and feel deep curiosity about. The decisions they make lead to some very interesting places and elicit real empathy. And even as the complexities of their individual conflicts branch out, nothing is distraction as it builds to a searing conclusion.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Buchanan is a rising star. Harmless Like You was an incredible debut, so you can imagine my excitement when I managed to get an ARC of Starling Days. Reading this book felt like snuggling into a well-loved blanket; the characters and the plot were different different, but there was the easy familiarity of her writing style. Buchanan has a way with words that I can’t adequately describe - I just find her work very readable and incredibly engaging. She creates extremely complex and flawed characters who I can’t help but become entangled with. It’s just an outstanding novel, and I’m excited to get my hands on a physical copy when it’s finally published.
(Side note: I’ve just found out that she’ll be visiting my local bookstore!!!)
(Side note: I’ve just found out that she’ll be visiting my local bookstore!!!)
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this novel captured the essence of depression well along with the ripples this spreads. Although the setting moves from New York to London to Seattle, it is a small focus story in the head of Mina, who constantly sits on the ledge of suicide.
Despite moving between continents, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery into Mina's mindset, how she behaves, how she does/doesn't take responsibility for herself and her actions. Alongside this we see her caring but careworn husband setting an app on both of their phones as if knowing where each other is will keep them "safe" whilst she throws herself rather desperately into a relationship with another woman. Her husband cannot "see" this from the US but she tells him anyway in a text message.
A good read yet could have been done more sparingly was what lingered.
Despite moving between continents, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery into Mina's mindset, how she behaves, how she does/doesn't take responsibility for herself and her actions. Alongside this we see her caring but careworn husband setting an app on both of their phones as if knowing where each other is will keep them "safe" whilst she throws herself rather desperately into a relationship with another woman. Her husband cannot "see" this from the US but she tells him anyway in a text message.
A good read yet could have been done more sparingly was what lingered.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes