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caitlins_bookshelf's reviews
362 reviews
Hel's Eight by Stark Holborn
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1984 by George Orwell
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Revival by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.5
spanning five decades, this one follows jamie morton, starting with his childhood in a new england town in the 60s. he's six years old when the new preacher, charles jacobs, comes to town. he is well loved in the community, and becomes especially close with jamie. until, after a terrible incident, he curses god and mocks religion and is banished from town. jamie continues to cross path with charles over the course of his life, and slowly sees the preachers passion for electricity, and the 'special' electricity he claims few know about, grow into something that has big consequences for both men.
I'm aware that's a pretty vague description but I definitely think this is one of those books where it's best to go in knowing as little as possible, as I did. this is one of stephen kings attempts at lovecraftian horror, focusing on that slow feeling of dread rather than outright gory, jumpscary horror, and (I won't lie, after googling the classic tropes / vibes of this genre) I think he did superbly! it has, of course, a very strong religious theme, but also focuses on the risks that can come with scientific discovery, the dangerous knowledge that charles jacobs draws closer to the whole book, and fate drawing people to their places.
despite the bulk of the story just being a run down of jamie's life (sounds like it might be dull but stephen king just has this way of writing it that makes it so engaging) the whole way through you get the sense of something big building up in the background.
the only thing that let it down for me wasn't really even the books fault, but it's marketing ! just about every description / blurb describes it as having the most terrifying ending of all stephen king books, so I was expecting big things. and while it was a good ending, fitted in well with that lovecraftian genre, at the time of reading I was expecting something with a little more oomph. when I looked back on it after reading other people's thoughts though, it is very sinister, (though I think I have somehow got all skewed to what can actually scare me in a book) and I actually love it as a conclusion to this sprawling book. I just wished I hadn't seen so many people talking about it in advance!
but anyway, this book is stephen king at his best for slow building character work. it wasn't even a long book but he packed so much depth into these characters it was impressive. I maybe wouldn't recommend starting with this one if you've not read any of his other books, but if you have then read it !!! and don't let the middling goodreads reviews stop you because I thought it was great 😌
I'm aware that's a pretty vague description but I definitely think this is one of those books where it's best to go in knowing as little as possible, as I did. this is one of stephen kings attempts at lovecraftian horror, focusing on that slow feeling of dread rather than outright gory, jumpscary horror, and (I won't lie, after googling the classic tropes / vibes of this genre) I think he did superbly! it has, of course, a very strong religious theme, but also focuses on the risks that can come with scientific discovery, the dangerous knowledge that charles jacobs draws closer to the whole book, and fate drawing people to their places.
despite the bulk of the story just being a run down of jamie's life (sounds like it might be dull but stephen king just has this way of writing it that makes it so engaging) the whole way through you get the sense of something big building up in the background.
the only thing that let it down for me wasn't really even the books fault, but it's marketing ! just about every description / blurb describes it as having the most terrifying ending of all stephen king books, so I was expecting big things. and while it was a good ending, fitted in well with that lovecraftian genre, at the time of reading I was expecting something with a little more oomph. when I looked back on it after reading other people's thoughts though, it is very sinister, (though I think I have somehow got all skewed to what can actually scare me in a book) and I actually love it as a conclusion to this sprawling book. I just wished I hadn't seen so many people talking about it in advance!
but anyway, this book is stephen king at his best for slow building character work. it wasn't even a long book but he packed so much depth into these characters it was impressive. I maybe wouldn't recommend starting with this one if you've not read any of his other books, but if you have then read it !!! and don't let the middling goodreads reviews stop you because I thought it was great 😌
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
5.0
Dear Dolly: On Love, Life and Friendship, Collected wisdom from her Sunday Times Style Column by Dolly Alderton
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
The Confession by Jessie Burton
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5