apriltrepagnier's reviews
67 reviews

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

Pros
Fun, light, read
Adorable characters
Cute setting

Cons
none really - great beach read

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

dark emotional informative reflective tense 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? It's complicated

3.0

Super informative, interesting characters, writing style was just not my jam.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

dark hopeful reflective tense 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

4.0

Pros
optimistic dystopia
Gallery of characters
well written

Cons
optimistic dystopia

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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? It's complicated

4.75

Pros
Eleanor Bennett
cultural references
family bonds

Cons
Little time warp with the shifts
Benny

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Pros
Beautiful prose
Strong characters
Conversation provoking insight

Cons
None - the characters may seem idealized, but it works wonderfully for this novel

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Murder

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

adventurous reflective 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? Yes

4.5

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Pros:
Inclusion of Greek mythology
English phraseology
Psychological twists

Cons:
A little slow in the middle
Somewhat flat characters
very little diversity

I am glad I read it but I preferred The Silent Patient

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Self harm, Murder