annie_tonk's reviews
109 reviews

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

5.0

Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

Started reading because of the new tv show - this was a very cool, very exciting dystopian story! Loved the different perspectives, loved the imagery and the characters. It’s pretty dark and there’s a lot of death. It was very thought provoking as most dystopian is; (following quote sums up the main theme throughout)

”Evil men did this, but they’re gone. Forget them. Just know this: They locked up their brood as a fucked-up form of their own survival. They put us in this game, a game where breaking the rules means we all die, every single one of us. But living by those rules, obeying them, means we all suffer.” 

Part 5, Page 434) 
If you’re looking for a mature dystopian read with diverse adult main characters ranging from 25-65 years old, with a tough, resilient, mechanic main FMC then I highly recommend! 

Enemies with Benefits by Roxie Noir

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.0

A formulaic enemies to lovers - smutty and silly and light. Nothing amazing to write about but was good if you’re looking for an easy quick romance read.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

I’m not even sure how to feel. It was captivating and emotional and haunting. I felt so deeply what the characters experienced - their rage and hope and despair and paranoia. There was so much Shakespeare - I know I didn’t even begin to understand the references and parallels. I loved it and I didn’t? I don’t know if I’d recommend this book… but it was perfect for what it was; a group of friends that fell apart. A mystery and a crime and the things that motivate people to act… or to just do nothing. 

From the authors note: “But whatever small discrepancies there may be, every line of If We Were Villains is written with the intention of paying homage to William Shakespeare—who has had more than enough defamers, detractors, and deniers. (Lord, what fools these mortals be.)”

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

4.5

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

Beautiful, lovely,  melancholy, nostalgic. It was sad and joyful. Heartbreaking and hopeful. Schwab’s writing is always such an incredible puzzle and it is so satisfying to unravel the knot of characters and story. 

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous dark fast-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? No

4.0

If you want a spicy romantasy with a fierce human FMC and a shadow powered tragically tortured fae MMC - this is the book for you. 

It was fast paced, violent and so exciting!! Amazing fight scenes and really fun dialog between characters. It also felt predictable at times and filled with so so many tropes. 

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab

5.0

The Will of the Many by James Islington

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-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

I am amazed. I am shocked. I am reeling. This was one of the best (if not the best) books I’ve ever read. The characters were incredible. Vis is phenomenal and layered and complex. The plot was unpredictable and amazing. My jaw hit the floor over and over again. I kept thinking it couldn’t get any better, couldn’t get any wilder, but it just didn’t stop. And then the ending…. I can not wait for the next one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Lightlark by Alex Aster

3.0

I enjoyed the plot twists and magic system - I was bored for most of it but the ending made me pick up the second one.