bookmaddie's reviews
1121 reviews

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Suicide

Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

A good audiobook, and a pacy, dramatic book. Not sure I loved the MC, and not really sure she realized the damage caused to her friends and family by her impulsiveness. But I’m happy it all worked out for her & her friends!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping

A Calamity of Noble Houses by Amira Ghenim

emotional mysterious reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Blood, Antisemitism, and Suicide attempt

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

I was so excited for more from Emilia Hart, since I loved her debut, WEYWARD! This novel follows a young woman who leaves college after a harrowing encounter & flees to her sister, who lives in a remote beach town with a dark history. But her sister isn’t there when she arrives, and mysterious dreams begin taking over her life, showing her a story that might not be so farfetched after all.

The story sounds so intriguing, but it fell a bit flat for me. I think Hart shines when writing historical fiction, but the contemporary part of the narrative felt a bit flat and overdone to me. There’s a LOT of different storylines stuffed into this novel, and I found the contemporary parts to feel trite. The attempt at injecting feminism into the plot worked more in the historical storyline, and felt elementary in the contemporary storyline.

The characters & their formidable bonds in the historical storyline kept me reading. Otherwise, I might have been tempted to put this down. Even so, this is a quick read, so if you’re a fan of mystery, touches of fantasy, and righteous revenge, then this might be a good beach read for ya.

Thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my advanced digital copy. THE SIRENS is out April 1st!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Rape

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.25

Games and Rituals by Katherine Heiny

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

A fun little romp with mostly good stories and funny situations.

The Axeman's Carnival by Catherine Chidgey

dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

Another banger from Chidgey. Such a unique concept that unfolds into a wrenching, emotional story. Tama is an endearing, sometimes infuriating narrator, who wants the best for those he loves, but doesn’t always know how to get there. Chidgey takes a somewhat kooky idea and injects it with such emotion, wisdom, and genius.

Thank you Europa for my advanced copy that I took far too long to read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

What a sweet and lovely book!! I was warmed to my soul by this. Gorgeous writing, compassionate, generous, funny.

The Terrible: A Storyteller's Memoir by Yrsa Daley-Ward

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

The writing style wasn’t for me, but I enjoyed the author’s narration featuring her brother.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.

I can do this no longer. I thought this would be a fun thriller to binge but I am not thrilled. Also, this feels like two books in one. I wish the White Alice section was its own book! I am intrigued! But then I’m pulled away to Rose, who’s story is moving slow but is somewhat interesting, or to Grant, a spoiled wimp. Can’t say I’m compelled. Alas!