badattentionspan_reader's reviews
347 reviews

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

This is a really great YA thriller.  It would be great for someone who is younger and looking to get into thrillers.  It is also good for an older audience if you're not a fan of smut and detailed gore. Felt like a nice breath of fresh air to read. 
I did not guess *it*. I enjoyed this a lot. It was fast paced and if I committed better I would've read it SO FAST.  

Dawn of Hearts by Nareena Rhoman

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

I received an ARC copy of this book by BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Very easy and quick to read YA fantasy romance. No spice (fade to black).

I love how there are many feminist views in this book. Feels refreshing to read. We love a strong girlie.

I love how the world goes from dark and bland (biege literally a color for a huge event??) to very bright and intricate once she's out in Nymyria. The world building was good. I could imagine each scene that I read. The details were there but not overwhelming.

I can say that I feel like we didn't get enough character development out of some of the main characters. Just very vague. I know there are reasons behind why, but even some background characters are more developed than the features.

Fates area a fun creature to deal with. Very fae-like but not quite. But more than human. Neat magic.

I have to say, especially second half of the book, many ACOTAR vibes and alarms go off. If you're a fan but can do without spice this could be a book you love.

***mini spoiler stop reading this review***

Before reading, there was a disclaimer about a cliffhanger. BUT THIS IS A BIG CLIFFHANGER. I NEED MORE.

Kill Call by Jeff Wooten

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is such an intersting and unique idea. 

There is a little bit of everything in this YA thriller book; a bit of romance,  a bit of murder, a bit of detective-ness, a bit of corruption, a bit of typical teenage drama, a bit of supernatural, and a bit of football??

It sounds like the biggest hodge podge of events, but it was actually super cohesive and an addicting page turner. I had a hard time putting it down between reads. The world and characters created really grasped me. 

And the most important part--I did not guess the twist! That's SO important with a thriller. 

I really enjoyed this book--I hope others give is a shot. 

The Girl Who Heard Maggots by Abby Davies

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I had to think about my review a little before I could set it in stone. 

I'm giving this book a 4 on goodreads, but on storygraph a 3.5.

The pacing is very quick. In comparison to the books I've read recently, I zoomed through this one. Every chapter ended to where I needed to know what happened next. I had a hard time putting it down between reading sessions. 
However, I think because I've read more mature books recently (so sorry this might be unfair), the writing feels very juvenile. It helps with the quick pacing, but it doesn't tickle my brain.

I definitely did not expect the twist, and I'm glad it was unpredictable. I totally thought we were going to be going a different direction. 

I did really enjoy the maggot plot points, but wish they were more relevant toward the end. 

Overall, a good quick thriller. Enjoyable enough. Slight character development. 

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

emotional reflective sad slow-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

3.75

Writing a review for this book is hard because it was incredibly slow moving, but I loved the story. 

The characters had depth, and each story was well explained. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. I kept picking a character and wanting to know what made them tick.

My main issue was that the pace was not what I wanted.  It felt slow, and I had a hard time getting into it. As well as I relied heavily on Kindle defining words for me. I love an expanded vocabulary, but this one caught me up more than a few times. 

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

This sequel was not *as* good as the first book, but it still was very good!

I am sad to see this story and world end, but at least we got a bit of a HEA!

There is a bit more spice in this book (not a ton still, but more than I expected). You got a bigger look into Ione and Elm as characters. I just really wish there was more story to tell, but alas, the way the story ends is almost perfect and I know we likely won't get more. 

I got a bit emotional toward the end. Ugh. This review is kind of word vomit, but long story short I just really loved this story. 

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

3.75

This is not my normal genre,  I enjoy murder mystery, but boats and the 1600s don't resonate with me.  It was hard to get through some of the language and I skipped around some of the boatspeak because my brain didn't get it anyway. 

However, I did not expect the whodunit. I did not expect the plot to twist as hard as it did.  I am just shook. I'm glad I decided to stick through this book.  The ending felt right 

Rivers For Storms by Teshelle Combs

4.25

I was given the opportunity to read this ARC, and here is my honest review:

I will never have enough of Em & Nkita! Once again, Teshelle has created a group of loving characters in a beautiful world. I'm so glad we got to see/meet more of Em's past and learn more about who she is. Next one I hope we get more of an inside look of Nkita or get some of those secrets he's holding out!!

There is brief tidbits spice,  but not much. I liked it that way. It keeps their love more emotional than physical. Big fan.

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

I have mixed feelings about this book.  It was written very well. The metaphors, symbolism, and imagery were all great. And I always appreciate a book that's open about mental health. 

The plot was... strange, to say the least. I enjoyed it, but it felt like just reading story vomit. The pieces didn't always fit together, but it held my attention and I enjoyed it? I don't know. 

It isn't bad enough to be only 3 stars, but it's not something I'd ever want to brag about reading nor would I probably recommend it so it's not a 4 star either.

Lunaria by Kara Douglas

adventurous lighthearted tense slow-paced

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

3.75