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carley's reviews
259 reviews
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Rachel Incident focuses on Rachel, both as a uni student in the past and her older self in the present, as well as her best friend James and the two's relationship with Rachel's professor, Dr. Byrne.
I don't think I really knew what to expect when I read The Rachel Incident. While the synopsis is accurate and the events listed do happen, I guess I expected it to be more plot driven. But The Rachel Incident is much more character driven, almost memoir-like in its writing style. All in all, I think it was really well written and I enjoy the story very much, but it took me a little white to fully connect with the book.
I don't think I really knew what to expect when I read The Rachel Incident. While the synopsis is accurate and the events listed do happen, I guess I expected it to be more plot driven. But The Rachel Incident is much more character driven, almost memoir-like in its writing style. All in all, I think it was really well written and I enjoy the story very much, but it took me a little white to fully connect with the book.
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Ferryman is a fascinating mix of Brave New World and The Truman Show. Our main character, Proctor, lives on the island of Prospera, a utopian society where the privileged citizens are almost perfect specimens, never having to experience childhood or extreme old age. But there is trouble brewing amongst the working class of Prospera, who are not afforded the same luxuries as the others. But is this the real danger of this world? Is anything real at all?
I really enjoyed the level of world-building that went into The Ferryman. While there were points I got confused, especially when the novel switched perspectives, it felt like I was constantly on the edge of cracking it's secrets. The Ferryman was able to use old tropes in a new and refreshing way. It lulled slightly around 2/3 through, but the climax and ending were definitely worth the read!
I really enjoyed the level of world-building that went into The Ferryman. While there were points I got confused, especially when the novel switched perspectives, it felt like I was constantly on the edge of cracking it's secrets. The Ferryman was able to use old tropes in a new and refreshing way. It lulled slightly around 2/3 through, but the climax and ending were definitely worth the read!
The Curator by Owen King
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Curator was a really interesting concept that left me feeling a little confused throughout. Told from multiple perspectives, The Curator tells the story of a city in an unspecified part of the world, possibly around the turn of the Century. The aristocracy has been overthrown by a civilian uprising and the temporary government is (maybe) trying to help create a more prosperous city for inhabitants of all social classes. In the middle of all this, our main character, Dora, finds herself the newly self-appointed curator of the Museum of the Worker.
I had a really hard time placing the events in time and geography throughout the book, which may have been intentional but made it really hard to settle into the story. There are also some plot points that I don’t feel were fully explained or revealed, like the b plot of the city’s cats. While The Curator had some really promising writing and storytelling, the slow progression of the story and the more confusing, mysterious parts made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the story.
I had a really hard time placing the events in time and geography throughout the book, which may have been intentional but made it really hard to settle into the story. There are also some plot points that I don’t feel were fully explained or revealed, like the b plot of the city’s cats. While The Curator had some really promising writing and storytelling, the slow progression of the story and the more confusing, mysterious parts made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the story.
Always the Almost by Edward Underhill
challenging
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Always the Almost follows Miles, a transgender teen shortly after his coming out, who must balance friends, relationships, and piano competitions, all while struggling to find his true self.
This was a really quick read and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author’s disclosure at the beginning, because it helped me rationalize some of the more uncomfortable and unbecoming moments as part of the process of transitioning, both for the Miles and the people closest to him. While I don’t have the same experiences, I feel like Always the Almost did a great job of showing the realities and imperfections of being a teen and growing up, and how universal it is.
This was a really quick read and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author’s disclosure at the beginning, because it helped me rationalize some of the more uncomfortable and unbecoming moments as part of the process of transitioning, both for the Miles and the people closest to him. While I don’t have the same experiences, I feel like Always the Almost did a great job of showing the realities and imperfections of being a teen and growing up, and how universal it is.
It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ship Wrecked returns to the world of the Gods of the Gates cast and crew, this time focusing on the flirty duo of Maria and Peter. After a one-night stand leads to a very awkward casting room chemistry test, Maria and Peter must navigate how to build a working relationship, friendship, and possibly more. But with both actors bringing their own traumas to the table, they must decide whether to fight for or against each other.
I really enjoyed getting back in the world of the Gods of the Gates cast. It's such a cool concept to slowly meet more and more characters as you move through the series. We get to see all our favorite characters from the previous two novels from a new perspective which is very fun. I also liked the behind-the-scenes look that Ship Wrecked took. It provided a interesting view of how the two main characters' relationships with each other and the rest of the cast and crew developed over the years of filming together on their tiny Irish island.
All in all, I have really enjoyed this series. It was such a fun read and I'm excited to see what Dade does next.
I really enjoyed getting back in the world of the Gods of the Gates cast. It's such a cool concept to slowly meet more and more characters as you move through the series. We get to see all our favorite characters from the previous two novels from a new perspective which is very fun. I also liked the behind-the-scenes look that Ship Wrecked took. It provided a interesting view of how the two main characters' relationships with each other and the rest of the cast and crew developed over the years of filming together on their tiny Irish island.
All in all, I have really enjoyed this series. It was such a fun read and I'm excited to see what Dade does next.
Chinese Homestyle: Everyday Plant-Based Recipes for Takeout, Dim Sum, Noodles, and More by Maggie Zhu
4.0
Absolutely delicious! This is the first Chinese plant-based cookbook I’ve ever used and it was such a great experience. The recipes are easy to follow and I love the basic recipes, like the noodles, that can be used to make so many dishes. So much flavor and great mix of quicker recipes and more time-intensive ones.
This will be a great gift option for all of your vegetarian and non-plant-based friends!
This will be a great gift option for all of your vegetarian and non-plant-based friends!
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
Hester tells the fictional story of the woman who inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter.
Isobel has seen the colors since she was a child. Voices, sounds, letter, all have colors for Isobel. But with her mother’s warning and her family’s magical past, Isobel hides what she sees, all the way across the ocean from Scotland to Salem, Massachusetts. But when she meets the mysterious Nat and must work to keep herself alive in the new world, she finds her colors may do more good than possible harm.
Hester was a beautiful novel. The descriptions of the character’s synesthesia was intricate and as a reader, you begin to associate the colors through the novel in the same way as Isobel. I liked all of the sociopolitical issues Albanese tackled within 19th century Salem.
My only critique is how quickly the climax and conclusion happen. It felt slightly jarring compared to the slow explanation of the rest of Isobel’s story. But that could have been a very conscious choice by the author.
Isobel has seen the colors since she was a child. Voices, sounds, letter, all have colors for Isobel. But with her mother’s warning and her family’s magical past, Isobel hides what she sees, all the way across the ocean from Scotland to Salem, Massachusetts. But when she meets the mysterious Nat and must work to keep herself alive in the new world, she finds her colors may do more good than possible harm.
Hester was a beautiful novel. The descriptions of the character’s synesthesia was intricate and as a reader, you begin to associate the colors through the novel in the same way as Isobel. I liked all of the sociopolitical issues Albanese tackled within 19th century Salem.
My only critique is how quickly the climax and conclusion happen. It felt slightly jarring compared to the slow explanation of the rest of Isobel’s story. But that could have been a very conscious choice by the author.
All The Feels by Olivia Dade
funny
reflective
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
3.0