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amandasbookreview's reviews
966 reviews
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
adventurous
fast-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? Yes
5.0
My boys are obsessed. We started this one in February. We are flying through this series! We just started book 3 and will probably finish by the end of the month.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
adventurous
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I have been reading this book with my sons who are ages 6 and 10 and they love it! We finished it in January and immediately started book 2.
No Exit by Taylor Adams
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
“The difference between a hero and a victim? Timing.”
NO EXIT
I have seen Taylor Adams all over Bookstagram and I just never had a moment to pick up one of his books. However, No Exit by Taylor Adams was just adapted into a movie for Hulu, so it was pushed to the top of my TBR. We are introduced to Darby who is rushing home to see her dying mother. The weather has taken a turn for the worst and she finds herself at a rest stop in a snowstorm with four other people. Darby is desperate for a signal on her phone and walks outside to try to contact her sister when she notices some movement in a van. There is a young girl, locked in a cage. This child has been kidnapped and Darby knows she has to do something. There are four people in that rest stop and one of them is the kidnapper. But without service and no way out, how will Darby get this little girl to safety?
What a wild ride! When I say there is no dull moment, I say that without exaggeration. The suspense is nonstop. There are moments when I was physically tense while reading this book. I found out that this author is a screenwriter and it made so much sense. But be prepared. This is not an easy read. Every trigger warning you can think of… is in this book. There is kidnapping, violence, torture, sex trafficking, cancer, death, and probably more that I am missing. But overall, the suspense and tension are palpable.
That brings me to the characters. Darby is a rockstar. She is flawed. She knows she was wrong in her relationship with her mom. I did appreciate how the author went into the complexities of parent/child relationships. But when she saw that little girl, there was nothing that would stop her from helping that little girl. Darby shows so much courage in the face of so much danger. Not many people would do what Darby does in this book. Overall, I enjoyed this read and I can’t wait to watch the movie! 4 out of 5 stars!
What a wild ride! When I say there is no dull moment, I say that without exaggeration. The suspense is nonstop. There are moments when I was physically tense while reading this book. I found out that this author is a screenwriter and it made so much sense. But be prepared. This is not an easy read. Every trigger warning you can think of… is in this book. There is kidnapping, violence, torture, sex trafficking, cancer, death, and probably more that I am missing. But overall, the suspense and tension are palpable.
That brings me to the characters. Darby is a rockstar. She is flawed. She knows she was wrong in her relationship with her mom. I did appreciate how the author went into the complexities of parent/child relationships. But when she saw that little girl, there was nothing that would stop her from helping that little girl. Darby shows so much courage in the face of so much danger. Not many people would do what Darby does in this book. Overall, I enjoyed this read and I can’t wait to watch the movie! 4 out of 5 stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Temptation on the Alpine Express by Kirsten S. Blacketer
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
"Everyone loves a good enemies-to-lovers tale and this book channels that trope perfectly."
Check out the rest of my review at InD'tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/march/viewer/desktop/#page/62
Check out the rest of my review at InD'tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/march/viewer/desktop/#page/62
Naughty Earls Need Love Too by Merry Farmer
lighthearted
medium-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
"This historical love story is very short but sweet!"
Check out the rest of my review at InD'tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/march/viewer/desktop/#page/62
Check out the rest of my review at InD'tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/march/viewer/desktop/#page/62
Echoes of Abandon by Paula Quinn
adventurous
slow-paced
"Those who are familiar with the "Echoes in Time" series will love the continuation of this time-travel love story!"
Check out my full review at InD'tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/march/viewer/desktop/#page/86
Check out my full review at InD'tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2022/march/viewer/desktop/#page/86
A Coin for the Ferryman by Megan Edwards
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Thank you, NetGalley, Megan Edwards, and Imbrifex Books for the opportunity to read this book. It will release on March 1st, 2022.
A Coin For The Ferryman by Megan Edwards is wild, to say the least. The IDES team has one goal–to kidnap a person from history and learn from them. The name of the team should be a giveaway. They choose Julius Caesar on the day he would be killed. Obviously, this mission could have many dangerous effects and he can only stay for four days. They bring in historians and Latin scholars, one named Cassandra who serves as an interpreter. She knows that anything can go wrong, and lo and behold…it does. Now the team must correct their mistakes before time runs out or Julius Caesar will be trapped in the present.
Words…I need words. I can’t find the words to describe how bizarre this book is. The premise is SO COOL. The synopsis gave me Timeless TV show vibes. I also have my degree in history, I was so on board when I picked up this book. But then I read it. So absolutely nothing happens the first 45% of the book. It is just introducing characters and laying out unnecessary information. The book is 540 pages, so that means 250 pages went by without much substance. But I wanted to see what happened. Maybe it would turn around when the plot got going? One would think with all that time spent on nondisclosure agreements and character introductions that the characters would be fleshed out and well-developed. Unfortunately, they are one-dimensional with no depth. Most of the men are incredibly sexist and misogynistic. And don’t get me started on the random Julius Caesar romance with one of the team members.
I get that the book is supposed to be a blend of science-fiction, suspense, and history, but it did not come off as believable. There is too much going on from the kidnappings, the mafia showing up, and again, that romance which was not even slightly romantic. The dialogue even felt stilted and fake. Then there is the lack of historical detail. Unfortunately, I was let down. So this book gets 1 star.
Words…I need words. I can’t find the words to describe how bizarre this book is. The premise is SO COOL. The synopsis gave me Timeless TV show vibes. I also have my degree in history, I was so on board when I picked up this book. But then I read it. So absolutely nothing happens the first 45% of the book. It is just introducing characters and laying out unnecessary information. The book is 540 pages, so that means 250 pages went by without much substance. But I wanted to see what happened. Maybe it would turn around when the plot got going? One would think with all that time spent on nondisclosure agreements and character introductions that the characters would be fleshed out and well-developed. Unfortunately, they are one-dimensional with no depth. Most of the men are incredibly sexist and misogynistic. And don’t get me started on the random Julius Caesar romance with one of the team members.
I get that the book is supposed to be a blend of science-fiction, suspense, and history, but it did not come off as believable. There is too much going on from the kidnappings, the mafia showing up, and again, that romance which was not even slightly romantic. The dialogue even felt stilted and fake. Then there is the lack of historical detail. Unfortunately, I was let down. So this book gets 1 star.
So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'All Don't Even Know by Retta
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
“I learned a valuable lesson that stays with me to this day and plays on a loop in my head any time I have a big audition. It goes a little something like this: “Bitch, stop wasting time fearing the worst! Living through the worst is never as hard as fearing it. Fight the fear and go do what you gotta do. That’s what you came here for.”
RETTA
So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y’all Don’t Even Know by Retta is the book I needed. It is narrated by the author. Before she graced us with her presence with Parks and Rec, Retta was Marietta from New Jersey. She grew up in a crowded home, but a loving home with supportive parents. She was on the road to being a neurosurgeon and attending Duke University when she decided she wanted to be a sitcom star. While I am sure she would have been an amazing neurosurgeon (or still might be!) I am glad that she chose sitcoms because Donna from Parks and Rec is probably one of my favorite characters of all time.
If you don’t know Retta or know her shows then this book is not for you. Especially if you are a Swiftie. When I was looking at reviews, I saw many referring to name-dropping and it is obvious they were not a fan of what Retta had to say. For me, Retta is the Queen so when she speaks, I listen.
One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book is its honesty. She talks about her anxieties about fitting in and being successful. She also discusses her issues with body image and how she learned to love herself. These are something that everyone can relate to.
But, I am not gonna lie, I was in it for all the stories. She is a comedian which means her delivery is everything. I loved the Parks and Rec stories! I loved her devotion and love for the cast and crew. When Amy Poehler stood up for her multiple times, it warmed my heart. And then there is an entire chapter devoted to her love for Hamilton. I thought, why can’t she be my best friend? Overall, I loved this book and I can’t wait to see what she does next! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
If you don’t know Retta or know her shows then this book is not for you. Especially if you are a Swiftie. When I was looking at reviews, I saw many referring to name-dropping and it is obvious they were not a fan of what Retta had to say. For me, Retta is the Queen so when she speaks, I listen.
One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book is its honesty. She talks about her anxieties about fitting in and being successful. She also discusses her issues with body image and how she learned to love herself. These are something that everyone can relate to.
But, I am not gonna lie, I was in it for all the stories. She is a comedian which means her delivery is everything. I loved the Parks and Rec stories! I loved her devotion and love for the cast and crew. When Amy Poehler stood up for her multiple times, it warmed my heart. And then there is an entire chapter devoted to her love for Hamilton. I thought, why can’t she be my best friend? Overall, I loved this book and I can’t wait to see what she does next! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Do not undervalue what you are ultimately worth because you are at a momentary disadvantage.”
SHERRY THOMAS
A gender-swap version of Sherlock Holmes, you say? COUNT ME IN! A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas is the first book in the Lady Sherlock series, not to be confused with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet–which happened to be the first book with the dynamic duo. Coincidence? I think not, my dear Watson! Charlotte Holmes has never been fond of the idea of her life being determined for her. She craves independence, and baked goods as well. The only way to gain that independence…is by ruining her reputation. She meets a widow named Joanna Watson and together they create the identity of Sherlock Holmes. The Holmes name catches the attention of an investigator who is handling the slew of murders in the city. Sherlock Holmes has proven himself essential in solving the case, but the investigator has never personally met him and has determined that there is definitely something odd about Sherlock Holmes.
It took me a minute to get used to the storyline. The audiobook could be a little confusing at times since it wasn’t clear whose point of view it was in each chapter. I am sure if I were reading the physical copy, it would have been more clear. But once I got used to the format and the changes, I was HOOKED. Charlotte makes a wonderful Sherlock Holmes! She has the same inquisitiveness and cleverness. She has a way of seeing the smallest critical detail, just like the classic Holmes. The difference is she is a woman, and people’s opinion of her is limited. No one would take her seriously as a woman, so she came up with the only solution that would suffice. However, Sherlock is not complete without his partner, Watson. And I must say, Mrs. Joanna Watson, is phenomenal. In fact, she was probably my favorite! She encouraged and supported Charlotte when no one else would, plus she has a mind for detective work as well.
Let me tell you, I am a fan of the classics. My favorite authors include Alexandre Dumas, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkien, and many more. And you can bet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is on that list! There are so many nods to Doyle’s work. I also enjoyed the hints of what…and who will be appearing in later books! I can’t wait to pick up the next book. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
It took me a minute to get used to the storyline. The audiobook could be a little confusing at times since it wasn’t clear whose point of view it was in each chapter. I am sure if I were reading the physical copy, it would have been more clear. But once I got used to the format and the changes, I was HOOKED. Charlotte makes a wonderful Sherlock Holmes! She has the same inquisitiveness and cleverness. She has a way of seeing the smallest critical detail, just like the classic Holmes. The difference is she is a woman, and people’s opinion of her is limited. No one would take her seriously as a woman, so she came up with the only solution that would suffice. However, Sherlock is not complete without his partner, Watson. And I must say, Mrs. Joanna Watson, is phenomenal. In fact, she was probably my favorite! She encouraged and supported Charlotte when no one else would, plus she has a mind for detective work as well.
Let me tell you, I am a fan of the classics. My favorite authors include Alexandre Dumas, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkien, and many more. And you can bet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is on that list! There are so many nods to Doyle’s work. I also enjoyed the hints of what…and who will be appearing in later books! I can’t wait to pick up the next book. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“If you truly think wolves are the blood spillers, then you’re blind…We do that. We are the people killers, the children killers. We’re the monsters.”
ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy is another win for me. I became obsessed with Charlotte McConaghy’s previous book called Migrations. This book takes readers to the Scottish Highlands where Inti Flynn arrives with a team to reintroduce wolves to the wild. They are hoping that introducing the wolves to the wild will save the species along with repairing the ecosystem. There is a problem. The locals don’t want the wolves around and tensions rise. However, the wolves thrive and Inti begins to fall for one of the locals. Then a farmer with who Inti had a confrontation ends up dead. Suspicions arise and the locals suspect Inti but what if it is the man she is falling for?
Charlotte McConaghy’s books never lack depth. First, there is the environmental storyline. Wolves have always gotten a bad rap and have been hunted to near extinction. We have seen the evidence of their contribution to an ecosystem with Yellowstone National Park. This book discusses how the local farmers would kill the wolves for attacking their livestock, but the surrounding area is dying. The scientists who are working so hard to revive the species and the environment can’t help but be frustrated. But especially Inti. She knows from experience that humans are the real monsters–which leads into the suspenseful aspect of the story. The point-of-view shifts from the present to the past to show the shadow that falls on Inti and why there is fear in her soul.
I could not stop listening to this book. The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld did a phenomenal job capturing the emotions of all the characters. There are some trigger warnings: abuse, domestic abuse, sexual assault, murder, violence, and animal death. This book isn’t for the faint-hearted. It dives deep into the horrors that man inflicts on others and themselves. I rate this audiobook 5 out of 5 stars.
Charlotte McConaghy’s books never lack depth. First, there is the environmental storyline. Wolves have always gotten a bad rap and have been hunted to near extinction. We have seen the evidence of their contribution to an ecosystem with Yellowstone National Park. This book discusses how the local farmers would kill the wolves for attacking their livestock, but the surrounding area is dying. The scientists who are working so hard to revive the species and the environment can’t help but be frustrated. But especially Inti. She knows from experience that humans are the real monsters–which leads into the suspenseful aspect of the story. The point-of-view shifts from the present to the past to show the shadow that falls on Inti and why there is fear in her soul.
I could not stop listening to this book. The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld did a phenomenal job capturing the emotions of all the characters. There are some trigger warnings: abuse, domestic abuse, sexual assault, murder, violence, and animal death. This book isn’t for the faint-hearted. It dives deep into the horrors that man inflicts on others and themselves. I rate this audiobook 5 out of 5 stars.