amy_reads91's reviews
90 reviews

The Architect's Apprentice by Elif Shafak

challenging dark 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

3.0

I love Elif Shafak's other works, so I wanted to like this more than I did! I found it a bit too slow-paced and difficult to get into, and I didn't find the characters and their backstories compelling enough to keep me interested initially. I feel like it took me until halfway through to really get into the flow - although once I did, I did find it captivating!

I did enjoy the beautiful descriptions which painted a strong visual of the setting (as always with Elif Shafak, I could picture it all, as if I was there). I also really enjoyed the relationship between Jahan and Chota, showing the pure bond between human and pet, which kept me invested. 

Life In Pieces by Dawn O'Porter

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

5.0

The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Square Haunting: Five Writers in London Between the Wars by Francesca Wade

challenging informative inspiring slow-paced

3.0

The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

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

5.0

All the Young Men by Ruth Coker Burks

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

4.5

What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition by Emma Dabiri

hopeful informative medium-paced

4.5

The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

The High House by Jessie Greengrass

challenging dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

3.75

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

adventurous challenging medium-paced

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

4.5