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bookoholic's reviews
803 reviews
Her Sweet Revenge by Sarah Bonner
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Wow! What a story!
I loved Her Perfect Twin and I’m really impressed with Her Sweet Revenge as I think it’s even better!
The plotting is absolutely perfect, lots of mystery and twists, everything coming so well together at the end.
The characters were great, clever villains made everything so interesting!
It’s hard to talk about the content without spoilers but make yourself comfortable as you won’t be able to stop reading. Super engaging, well-written and fascinating story!
I loved Her Perfect Twin and I’m really impressed with Her Sweet Revenge as I think it’s even better!
The plotting is absolutely perfect, lots of mystery and twists, everything coming so well together at the end.
The characters were great, clever villains made everything so interesting!
It’s hard to talk about the content without spoilers but make yourself comfortable as you won’t be able to stop reading. Super engaging, well-written and fascinating story!
The Final Party by A.A. Chaudhuri
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I saw that Alex has written the new book, I knew I have to read it early! Thank you so much Hera Books for this copy. I loved all previous stories, I was sure this one will be brilliant too!
A group of friends Ness, Marcus, Padma, Nick, Lana and Johnny - three couples - go to Italy to celebrate 40th birthday. Ness' plans are not that innocent though, she's turning forty but it's also time to admit guilt, ask for forgiveness and stop looking behind their back.
The book has two timelines - present and eighteen years in the past when a girl went missing and Padma was attacked and lost her memory. I loved that writing was from the perspective of each character depending on the chapter, which gave more insight into their character and their thinking.
The plotting is excellent, as always. The author gives us a bit of clues which allow the reader to figure out some of the events, with a big reveal at the end.
The Final Party is definitely a book you can't miss if you love psychological thrillers!
A group of friends Ness, Marcus, Padma, Nick, Lana and Johnny - three couples - go to Italy to celebrate 40th birthday. Ness' plans are not that innocent though, she's turning forty but it's also time to admit guilt, ask for forgiveness and stop looking behind their back.
The book has two timelines - present and eighteen years in the past when a girl went missing and Padma was attacked and lost her memory. I loved that writing was from the perspective of each character depending on the chapter, which gave more insight into their character and their thinking.
The plotting is excellent, as always. The author gives us a bit of clues which allow the reader to figure out some of the events, with a big reveal at the end.
The Final Party is definitely a book you can't miss if you love psychological thrillers!
The Retreat by Sarah Pearse
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
An isolated location, creepy history with murders in the background. What can go wrong?
Detective Elin is back to investigate the crimes. I love how she acknowledges her limitations, yet she tries her best to solve the case.
A family group arrives on the island, and pretty quickly things get nasty. Secrets and betrayal come to life, when one person after another disappears.
The book is really well-ploted, it's quite dark and tense. A fast-paced story which makes you want to continue until you find out what is really going on.
I liked The Sanatorium, and I think The Retreat was even better. I can't wait what else the author brings to us!
Detective Elin is back to investigate the crimes. I love how she acknowledges her limitations, yet she tries her best to solve the case.
A family group arrives on the island, and pretty quickly things get nasty. Secrets and betrayal come to life, when one person after another disappears.
The book is really well-ploted, it's quite dark and tense. A fast-paced story which makes you want to continue until you find out what is really going on.
I liked The Sanatorium, and I think The Retreat was even better. I can't wait what else the author brings to us!
The Scarlet Papers by Matthew Richardson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
The Scarlet Papers is the best spy novel I’ve ever read!
I was curious when I’ve read the blurb and from the first pages I was hooked. Such an engaging story!
I feel that I want to read more espionage books now (and I’ve bought other books by this author because he’s a genius).
The characters are interesting, the plot is twisted and the story really intense. The final reveal though - oh my!
I don’t have words to describe how perfect this book is.
I was curious when I’ve read the blurb and from the first pages I was hooked. Such an engaging story!
I feel that I want to read more espionage books now (and I’ve bought other books by this author because he’s a genius).
The characters are interesting, the plot is twisted and the story really intense. The final reveal though - oh my!
I don’t have words to describe how perfect this book is.
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
What a beautiful story!
It’s a mix of sci-fi, fantasy and dystopia and I loved it.
In the world of robots there’s Victor - a human. His father and his friends are robots, they live a peaceful life in a forest… until one day the Authority shows up and turns their lives upside down.
A mystery, horrible past, and even worse future is discovered.
Now Victor, Rambo, Nurse Ratched and Hap need to go on an adventure to rescue Gio, Vic’s father.
I truly liked the characters, it was easy to engage with them and care for them. It was beautiful to see the development. It was also funny, the dialogues made me laugh several times.
The world in the story was interesting, the sci-fi and fantasy authors can use their imagination to the fullest and I’ve enjoyed what was created here.
A fantastic Pinocchio retelling with a queer vibe.
I was enchanted reading it and I can’t wait to get to the other books by this author.
It’s a mix of sci-fi, fantasy and dystopia and I loved it.
In the world of robots there’s Victor - a human. His father and his friends are robots, they live a peaceful life in a forest… until one day the Authority shows up and turns their lives upside down.
A mystery, horrible past, and even worse future is discovered.
Now Victor, Rambo, Nurse Ratched and Hap need to go on an adventure to rescue Gio, Vic’s father.
I truly liked the characters, it was easy to engage with them and care for them. It was beautiful to see the development. It was also funny, the dialogues made me laugh several times.
The world in the story was interesting, the sci-fi and fantasy authors can use their imagination to the fullest and I’ve enjoyed what was created here.
A fantastic Pinocchio retelling with a queer vibe.
I was enchanted reading it and I can’t wait to get to the other books by this author.
Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
I know that I’m going to read all the books that Catriona Ward is going to publish. They’re so unique, it’s mesmerising. I know I’ll be taken on the adventure which will make me question what’s real and what’s not, the plot I thought I figured out is definitely not what I thought and at the end I still won’t know what happened. But that’s the whole beauty of it!
The Looking Glass Sound has several timelines and narratives. It has kind of books within the book and as expected it’s all very confusing and at the same time enchanting.
After the first part I didn’t know what will happen next as I thought that the story is over and was surprised that the book is not even 30% done, but what follows only makes it more interesting!
Difficult to review the plot without the spoilers.
Definitely a must read for people who like a weird plot with an excellent writing.
The Looking Glass Sound has several timelines and narratives. It has kind of books within the book and as expected it’s all very confusing and at the same time enchanting.
After the first part I didn’t know what will happen next as I thought that the story is over and was surprised that the book is not even 30% done, but what follows only makes it more interesting!
Difficult to review the plot without the spoilers.
Definitely a must read for people who like a weird plot with an excellent writing.
The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Firstly, I'd like to thank Orbit for approving me to read this book - you've made my day! I was soooooo excited when I've read the approval email! Thanks so so so much!
I find it hard to describe how I feel about The Bone Shard War and the entire trilogy. This book definitely has a lot of fighting in it! I wonder how many pages were actually without a fight or a weapon mentioned!
Reading The Bone Shard War I was scared, upset, angry, happy, hopeful, relieved - a full rollercoaster of emotions! My heart was breaking every time Ragan was mistreating Lozhi and I was delighted to see how Lozhi's life turned!
Well-paced plot where all the elements are coming together at the end, and all the important characters take part in the final war. The characters development throughout the books was incredible. I loved the world that the author created, ossalens and the Alanga magic. A few mysteries from the previous books were revealed in this one. I think we all needed a closure.
I'd recommend reading the first and the second book of the trilogy before diving into this one.
Chapter 44 was so wholesome.
I'm really hoping that one day Andrea will surprise us with a follow-up novella to the story. The Drowning Empire is one of the best fantasy I've ever read. I've been recommending it to people ever since I've read The Bone Shard Daughter and I feel I'll be recommending it for as long as I'm alive.
Oh, and I truly need a Mephi in my life. I do. If I ever have a pet, I'll call them Mephi.
I find it hard to describe how I feel about The Bone Shard War and the entire trilogy. This book definitely has a lot of fighting in it! I wonder how many pages were actually without a fight or a weapon mentioned!
Reading The Bone Shard War I was scared, upset, angry, happy, hopeful, relieved - a full rollercoaster of emotions! My heart was breaking every time Ragan was mistreating Lozhi and I was delighted to see how Lozhi's life turned!
Well-paced plot where all the elements are coming together at the end, and all the important characters take part in the final war. The characters development throughout the books was incredible. I loved the world that the author created, ossalens and the Alanga magic. A few mysteries from the previous books were revealed in this one. I think we all needed a closure.
I'd recommend reading the first and the second book of the trilogy before diving into this one.
Chapter 44 was so wholesome.
I'm really hoping that one day Andrea will surprise us with a follow-up novella to the story. The Drowning Empire is one of the best fantasy I've ever read. I've been recommending it to people ever since I've read The Bone Shard Daughter and I feel I'll be recommending it for as long as I'm alive.
Oh, and I truly need a Mephi in my life. I do. If I ever have a pet, I'll call them Mephi.