alockey's reviews
634 reviews

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

5.0

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

medium-paced

3.5

It was just okay. I do think the way it was written is interesting, but I expected more from an “award winning (bla, bla, bla).” 

The Girl from Berlin by Ronald H. Balson

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Light Is the New Black: A Guide to Answering Your Soul's Callings and Working Your Light by Rebecca Campbell

reflective medium-paced

2.0

This book had its moments, but I felt like most of the time I was thinking, “Good for you. Come back to society where you aren’t allowed to follow what lights you up unless you want to be homeless.” 

I listened to this book, and the author narrated it, which in my experience isn’t always a good idea. Her voice grated in my ears. It’s just a big nope for me. 

The Bone Farm by Dean Koontz

dark fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I’ve only ever read one other book by this author and it stuck with me. Twenty years later and I still get the chills at the creep factor. The Bone Farm was not that book. I listened to this short story hoping to find a good mystery/thriller that would lead me to a series. This was not that book. This one was terrible. 

I think this was supposed to be a psychological thriller, but failed miserably and ended up being cliché. As someone who has studied psychology and is intrigued by the psychological aspect of serial killers, I had a few expectations & Koontz didn’t disappoint, it was just done in a very cliché manner. The guy had mommy issues & the reason why was like watching an episode of Mind Hunters where they’re interviewing characters based off of actual serial killers. It was also reminiscent of an episode of Bones where the mother smothers the guy. 

He did his (minimal) research, I’ll give him that.

The twin thing was unusual and it looks like he may have researched that. Studies have shown that twins separated at birth so show the same proclivities in their day-to-day lives.

Koontz took that and ran with it. 

Now for the detective. I expect even a short story to have depth of character, even if only an introduction. Depth of character should not be thought of as facts about a character. I learned a bit about the detective, her past, but it lacked emotion. 

I found the inclusion of the Voodoo lady from New Orleans to be problematic. I realize that this was Koontz way of injecting magical thinking into the storyline, but the way she is mentioned isn’t out of respect for her and a real culture and belief system. It seemed disrespectful to use Voodoo in this way. I hate the demonization of all things non-Christian.  

Overall, this one short story may keep me from ever reading another Koontz book again. I’m going to rethink the other one I read too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, and Murder

Moderate: Racism and Cultural appropriation

Day's Patience by A.W. Exley

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I enjoy lighthearted fantasy books that are easy to read and well written. Day’s Patience is just that.  This book is the second in a young adult fantasy trilogy that follows the story of a family of supernaturals. One of the things I enjoyed about this book (and the previous) is that these aren’t your typical modern story supernaturals. You won’t find werewolves or vampires here. Instead, you’ll get to know Lady Leticia Seton, an Undine who has recently been saved from the evil magical tendrils snaking through her brain. She decides to help her family learn about the death of her oldest brother, her attempted murder, and how it ties to the death of her new sister-in-law’s parents. In order to do this, she must leave her family home after decades of entrapment and learn to heal and trust herself. There’s no better way to do this than to be alone in the midst of her element, fresh water. 

This unique story offers intrigue and mystery, a little romance, and humor in Victorian England. 

Unceasing by W.J. May

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

As far as young adult fantasy goes, the first three books in this series are pretty good. 

Everlasting by W.J. May

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

4.0