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allyjshand's reviews
197 reviews
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A pioneering and forward-thinking novel which stands the test of time. Having studied the children’s version in school, I was keen to read this in full and it did not disappoint.
“They have become practically mere brains, wearing different bodies according to their needs just as men wear suits of clothes and take a bicycle in a hurry or an umbrella in the wet.”
“I was no longer a master, but an animal among the animals, under the Martian heel”
“This isn't a war," said the artilleryman. "It never was a war, any more than there's war between man and ants.”
“He had swept it out of existence, as it seemed, without any provocation, as a boy might crush an ant hill, in the mere wantonness of power.”
“They have become practically mere brains, wearing different bodies according to their needs just as men wear suits of clothes and take a bicycle in a hurry or an umbrella in the wet.”
“I was no longer a master, but an animal among the animals, under the Martian heel”
“This isn't a war," said the artilleryman. "It never was a war, any more than there's war between man and ants.”
“He had swept it out of existence, as it seemed, without any provocation, as a boy might crush an ant hill, in the mere wantonness of power.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-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
3.75
I normally avoid rom-com books, but I’d read that this book had a plot twist so I was intrigued. The book is very easy to read and I found myself reading large chunks at a time. I enjoyed the three female protagonists and felt invested in each of their storylines and narrative voices.
When it seems that the three women are finally meet going to meet, we’re hit with the plot twist - a real ‘ohhh’ moment! I wished this moment came sooner so we could read more about Richard’s escalating obsession with Siobhan, so that her death is more hard-hitting and reflects the violent dangers women face from men. But regardless I found this section very impactful.
Definitely want to pick up one of O’Leary’s other books.
Definitely want to pick up one of O’Leary’s other books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Miscarriage, Stalking, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Dementia, Car accident, and Emotional abuse
I normally avoid rom-com books, but I’d read that this book had a plot twist so I was intrigued. The book is very easy to read and I found myself reading large chunks at a time. I enjoyed the three female protagonists and felt invested in each of their storylines and narrative voices.
When it seems that the three women are finally meet going to meet, we’re hit with the plot twist - a real ‘ohhh’ moment! I wished this moment came sooner so we could read more about Richard’s escalating obsession with Siobhan, so that her death is more hard-hitting and reflects the violent dangers women face from men. But regardless I found this section very impactful.
Definitely want to pick up one of O’Leary’s other books.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.25
Kept me guessing right until the end, with one hell of a plot twist. So fast-paced, the pages flew by. Top-tier Christie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Suicide
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the constant switching of perspectives, as it helped to build the pace of the novel. Loved the cast of characters in the ‘Thursday Murder Club’, although there were several characters that were only mentioned for one or two chapters. Looking forward to picking up the next one.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation by Agatha Christie, Michael Bakewell
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Great casting. Struggled following the plot slightly as some was cut out.
Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
READ THIS. Such an important book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Violence, Mass/school shootings, and Physical abuse
The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Cancer
Moderate: Death and Medical content
The Birdcage by Eve Chase
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A slow-burner with a few twists (although guessable). Really picked up in the second half. Once finished, you realise how heartbreaking the plot is when reflecting back.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Death
Dream Psychology by Sigmund Freud
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
One off the psychology bucket list. The fundamental issue with studying dreams is that we cannot directly observe this unconscious experience. As a result, this book is completely pseudoscientific. That being said, some elements of Freud’s may hold true - particularly regarding the argument for wish-fulfilment. Sadly, unsurprisingly for Freud, he often takes his examples down the sexual route.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexism