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bookmaddie's reviews
1121 reviews
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
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Content Warnings
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
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Suicide
Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon
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Content Warnings
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!
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
A Calamity of Noble Houses by Amira Ghenim
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Content Warnings
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
Graphic: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Blood, Antisemitism, and Suicide attempt
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
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Content Warnings
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!
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
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Content Warnings
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!
Thank you Europa for my advanced copy that I took far too long to read!
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
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Content Warnings
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
The writing style wasn’t for me, but I enjoyed the author’s narration featuring her brother.
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%.
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!