candycains's reviews
80 reviews

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

Really good murder mystery with solid twists.

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Real score is a 3 if I'm comparing it to everything I've read, but for what it is im giving it a 4.

An adorable love story for middle schoolers to enjoy. It felt like going back and watching cartoons you like as a kid.

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 90%.

I think I just hate second chance romance, or romance plots where we see one person love the other from the get go. I found the main characters relationship very frustratingly annoying. Will try reading physically because then I feel like it will make more sense.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

lighthearted mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

Though it starts slow, I'd encourage you to push through. It's so heartwarming to see such a diverse group of people come together through a woman who will force-feed community until you have no choice but to thank her. May we all have this kind of over-bearing love in whatever doses we need.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.

Why is she constantly naked? Why are her breasts mentioned every two pages? These were certainly choices.

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

lighthearted medium-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

3.0

Well written fluff. If you're looking for drama or plot, look elsewhere because truly the stakes could not be lower, but for a light and fluffy read it's perfect.

Assembly by Natasha Brown

informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This book reads as a series of micro essays on black womanhood in Britain, wrapped in the package of a slice of life of a woman meeting her in-laws. At times I felt that the writing was so literary and beyond the confines of plot that it lost me a little. Yet that is simultaneously one of its strongest points. A very poignant and poetic read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Racism, and Sexual assault

Brew Unto Others by Sandra Balzo

funny medium-paced

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

1.5

Poorly written and an uninteresting plot. I read it to speed read toward my end of year reading goal, and i wouldn't have chosen to read it any slower.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Rape

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

emotional reflective sad medium-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

Very well written, but boy I would not have put up with her shit let me tell you.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

3.5

Exact Opposite of Funny Story. In

funny story, the book starts out with great characterization and then completely fizzes out by the end.

In Beach Read, both characters are pretty annoying, especially her. Their emotional reactions regarding their relationship to each other don't make any sense at all. However, I think the ending is one of the stronger Emily Henry endings, so it's worth sticking it out.