Scan barcode
amylovesbooksandyarn's reviews
132 reviews
The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I hadn't heard of this book untill my close friend told me she was doing a buddy read and read me the synopsis and I was intrigued. (She also had a beautiful versions with spayed edges of bees and I am a sucker for a pretty book)
That this was based a real phenomenon that occured in the 16th century and was so odd and mysterious it drew me in.
This is not a happy book but it was a beautiful book. The author is also a poet and her writing style whilst not written as a poem is very descriptive and rich. In the authors note it draws links between the attitudes of the 16th century and current times and I feel that makes it even more sad.
I am now hoping to read the Mercies by the same author. .
That this was based a real phenomenon that occured in the 16th century and was so odd and mysterious it drew me in.
This is not a happy book but it was a beautiful book. The author is also a poet and her writing style whilst not written as a poem is very descriptive and rich. In the authors note it draws links between the attitudes of the 16th century and current times and I feel that makes it even more sad.
I am now hoping to read the Mercies by the same author. .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Blood, Suicide, Mental illness, Homophobia, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Religious bigotry
A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape media for approving me to review this book.
I listened to this story as an audio book and it was a very easy listen and also great for pronunciation of names and places.
This book started super fast and had some pacing issues for me with wow were right in to slow into rapid fire and a gentle ending. There were a couple points where modern language also stood out quite abruptly compared to the rest of the narrative however overall I really enjoyed this book.
One trope that does irritate me a little is the oh I'm so plain heroine and this did have that and frankly it wasn't needed at all and the story could have flowed absolutely fine without any mention of her internalised plainess. I do get that this for the oh I am beautiful revelation to occur but it is my own personal opinion pet hate. That being said a lot of books I absolute love have this and I do overlook it when the story is good.
I hate a time loop so I was so happy we only went back the once and when it was made clear it won't be happening again I rejoiced a bit. I really liked the aspect of her seeing people's actions in a different light. Hindsight afterall is a wonderful thing.
It clearly is setting up for book 2 and I would definitely listen to the second installment.
I listened to this story as an audio book and it was a very easy listen and also great for pronunciation of names and places.
This book started super fast and had some pacing issues for me with wow were right in to slow into rapid fire and a gentle ending. There were a couple points where modern language also stood out quite abruptly compared to the rest of the narrative however overall I really enjoyed this book.
One trope that does irritate me a little is the oh I'm so plain heroine and this did have that and frankly it wasn't needed at all and the story could have flowed absolutely fine without any mention of her internalised plainess. I do get that this for the oh I am beautiful revelation to occur but it is my own personal opinion pet hate. That being said a lot of books I absolute love have this and I do overlook it when the story is good.
I hate a time loop so I was so happy we only went back the once and when it was made clear it won't be happening again I rejoiced a bit. I really liked the aspect of her seeing people's actions in a different light. Hindsight afterall is a wonderful thing.
It clearly is setting up for book 2 and I would definitely listen to the second installment.
Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
I was a little worried about starting this as I have read a couple romance books recently and not enjoyed them.
I loved this book as a super easy fun read. I love a magic house trope and the characters who lived in Beldam house gave me similar vibes to the witches of Moonshine Manor.
I definitely need an element of magic/apocalypse/evil threat alongside my romance.
I loved this book as a super easy fun read. I love a magic house trope and the characters who lived in Beldam house gave me similar vibes to the witches of Moonshine Manor.
I definitely need an element of magic/apocalypse/evil threat alongside my romance.
The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
2.5
Thanks to @netgalley and #penquinrandomhouse for the chance to read this book.
This was a @theglossbookclub pick and it is not my preferred genre being a contempory romance.
I did like some aspects of this book including that it is not your normal meet cute romance. It was a very easy read and writing style, however I do admit I was somewhat bored with the story line, however those who normally do go for this genre may feel very differently to this book than I did.
There were some Americanisms that threw me out of being immersed in the London setting. With the temperature being in Fahrenheit and the use of commercial instead of advert. This made me surprised to realise the author is British. In the author's notes I can see that she has an US editor so I assume the e-version I read was in fact intended for the American audience.
I would be interested in reading more of the books my this author published in her real name that are of a different genre and may be more my cup of tea. Reading the authors note made me appreciate the story more and I feel it may have better to have a short version as an introduction rather than an afterword.
This was a @theglossbookclub pick and it is not my preferred genre being a contempory romance.
I did like some aspects of this book including that it is not your normal meet cute romance. It was a very easy read and writing style, however I do admit I was somewhat bored with the story line, however those who normally do go for this genre may feel very differently to this book than I did.
There were some Americanisms that threw me out of being immersed in the London setting. With the temperature being in Fahrenheit and the use of commercial instead of advert. This made me surprised to realise the author is British. In the author's notes I can see that she has an US editor so I assume the e-version I read was in fact intended for the American audience.
I would be interested in reading more of the books my this author published in her real name that are of a different genre and may be more my cup of tea. Reading the authors note made me appreciate the story more and I feel it may have better to have a short version as an introduction rather than an afterword.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A Restless Truth by Freya Marske
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? Yes
4.0
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was enjoying this book but I have to admit I hated the ending so much.
As with a lot of books with character building it felt rushed and incomplete.
As with a lot of books with character building it felt rushed and incomplete.
True Biz by Sara Nović
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked this much more than I expected to. Easy read, likeable characters
Would have been nice for the ASL pages to show BSl variation in the UK publication. As I just ended up skipping these pages.
The historical stuff was good but a bit of a too rapid change in peace and writing style for me that distracted from the flow of the story. Would have preferred to have it more as a conversation with the characters
Would have been nice for the ASL pages to show BSl variation in the UK publication. As I just ended up skipping these pages.
The historical stuff was good but a bit of a too rapid change in peace and writing style for me that distracted from the flow of the story. Would have preferred to have it more as a conversation with the characters