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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Well, this was…. interesting 🤔
Thank you, Simon & Schuster, for the gifted copy of Rouge {partner}
Genre: Horror
Trope: Science Fiction
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 9.12.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
Thank you, Simon & Schuster, for the gifted copy of Rouge {partner}
Genre: Horror
Trope: Science Fiction
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 9.12.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
"Because Beauty is our little secret. Because we never tell. Not even over our dead body. We deny everything. We deny all."
I'm still trying to figure out what I read. I finished Rouge, sat down to write my thoughts, and came up with — what exactly happened? The first 30% I kept up with, but the rest of the story left me in a WTF did I just read state.
Mona Awad is undoubtedly an incredibly brilliant person, but her brilliance and mine are not remotely in the same area. Some may describe Rouge as magical realism, but for me, it was more of a science fiction book exploring the unhealthy expectations of the beauty industry and the often challenging relationships between mothers and daughters. Also, is it a dark fairy tale? I can't give you a straight answer because the Rouge didn't follow a straight line of thought.
The audiobook narration was phenomenal. But, I may have had a more straightforward job following along if I'd utilized the physical copy of the book. Awad jumps from fevered dreams to reality so often that I found it difficult to follow. Speaking of hard-to-follow, the whole plot line involving Tom Cruise? What was that?
😵💫 Fever dream vibe
💋 Unreal expectations of the beauty industry
🕰️ A lot of jumping around without warning
✂️ Repetitive; needed to be shorter
🤷🏽♀️ Weird, ambitious and unyielding
As you can see, I have way more questions about Rouge than answers. But that doesn't mean this book won't be for you. Plenty of glowing reviews are out there, so if you're interested, give the story a go!
_
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emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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:
N/A
A review of my MOST anticipated read of the year 🤩
Thank you, Viking Books, for the gifted copy of The Last Devil to Die {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 9.19.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Thank you, Viking Books, for the gifted copy of The Last Devil to Die {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 9.19.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“We think time travels forward, marches on in a straight line, and so we hurry alongside it to keep up. Hurry, hurry, mustn’t fall behind. But it doesn’t, you see. Time just swirls around us. Everything is always present. The things we’ve done, the people we’ve loved, the people we’ve hurt, they’re all still here.”
It’s no secret that the Thursday Murder Club series is my favorite series (probably of all time). And when people ask me why? Why do I love a series about four characters living in a retirement community? The answer is simple - because they feel like friends. Ron, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Joyce (even Bogdan, Donna, and Chris) have become my friends. I’ve not encountered a book that can keep me on the edge of my seat, laughing and then crying in one breath, but somehow, this series does just that.
The newest book in the series, The Last Devil to Die, was everything I hoped it would be. It felt much heavier than all of the books, and at one point, I couldn’t read because I was crying so hard, but it was still the most comforting read of all the books I’ve read. I’ll never be able to get enough of Cooper’s Chase. There’s a little something for everyone in the pages of the Thursday Murder Club.
Richard Osman is one of the most talented writers, and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next - even if it means I have to wait a little while to be reunited with my friends. But Osman has promised to continue the series; it’s just taking a short break. In the meantime, I can’t recommend reading this series enough, no matter how hard I try to write a review that does TMC justice. I’ve read and listened to all four books, and you can’t go wrong with either format.
_
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dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Foxglove 🖤
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 8.22.20223
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 8.22.20223
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
“You may have reign over the dead and dying, but let’s not forget that it’s my hand that controls the fates of the living. For as long as she breathes, this one is mine.”
Last year, one of my friends told me I needed to read Belladonna as it gave her all the Addie LaRue vibes (and we all know I love Addie). So I picked up a copy and fell into the story. It was beautiful, dark, and everything I needed for a fall read. So, I’ve been waiting impatiently for Foxglove to publish.
I did end up listening to the audiobook because the narrator, Kristen Atherton, is straight fire. She is incredibly talented and adds perfect suspense to the storyline. Her voice for Death is just 🤩
The story of Death and Signa is genuinely intoxicating. I can’t understand why, but they pulled me into the book. I wanted them to win, end up together, and continue the dance we’ve been privy to. I hope there will be more from Adalyn Grace so that I can see what Death and Signa are up to.
The only aspect of the Foxglove that I didn’t love was Blythe. She wasn’t my favorite in Belladonna, and I can’t say I loved her in Foxglove. For some reason, she came across as too juvenile and whiney. Her character did show growth by the end, but sometimes, she made me want to scream with frustration.
🖤 Death + Signa forever
🎧 Audiobook is a must
👌🏼 Eerie atmosphere
✨ Love/hate relationship with Fate
I recommend reading Belladonna and Foxglove if you’re a fan of Addie LaRue and need something to read this fall!
_
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slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Magnolia Parks
Thank you, Dutton Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Romance
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrator: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
"How many loves do you get in a lifetime? How many people do you get to call yours?"
I'm at a loss for words on this one. While Magnolia Parks was entertaining, it definitely didn't need to be 448 pages. The book could've been 100 pages shorter, and the story would have had the same impact. It was so redundant. The same situations played out over and over again. At some point, I stopped feeling bad for Magnolia and said, "Well, girlfriend, what did you expect to happen?"
None of the characters were likable. They were all entitled children in adult bodies. They never tired of hurting one another, which was frankly exhausting because as soon as one "good" thing happened, something would ruin it on the next page. Magnolia and BJ belong together, but, at the same time, BJ doesn't deserve her. The only character I even remotely liked was Tom - he definitely deserved better.
The book was a combination of Gilmore Girls (the Rory/Logan years), Sex and the City (but without the sex), and Cruel Intentions. I was unprepared to read anything similar to those when I started Magnolia Parks.
👎🏼 Unlikable characters behaving badly
⚠️ Toxic relationships
💰 Lifestyles of the super-rich
✂️ Needs to be shorter
I've heard from several people that the series gets better, so I plan to read the second book. I need some time to cool off and stop being annoyed.
_
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Thank you, Dutton Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Romance
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrator: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 8.8.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
"How many loves do you get in a lifetime? How many people do you get to call yours?"
I'm at a loss for words on this one. While Magnolia Parks was entertaining, it definitely didn't need to be 448 pages. The book could've been 100 pages shorter, and the story would have had the same impact. It was so redundant. The same situations played out over and over again. At some point, I stopped feeling bad for Magnolia and said, "Well, girlfriend, what did you expect to happen?"
None of the characters were likable. They were all entitled children in adult bodies. They never tired of hurting one another, which was frankly exhausting because as soon as one "good" thing happened, something would ruin it on the next page. Magnolia and BJ belong together, but, at the same time, BJ doesn't deserve her. The only character I even remotely liked was Tom - he definitely deserved better.
The book was a combination of Gilmore Girls (the Rory/Logan years), Sex and the City (but without the sex), and Cruel Intentions. I was unprepared to read anything similar to those when I started Magnolia Parks.
👎🏼 Unlikable characters behaving badly
⚠️ Toxic relationships
💰 Lifestyles of the super-rich
✂️ Needs to be shorter
I've heard from several people that the series gets better, so I plan to read the second book. I need some time to cool off and stop being annoyed.
_
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dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Anatomy: A Love Story 🫀
Genre: Young Adult
Trope: Historical Fiction/Romance
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 1.18.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
“Dead bodies are never going to bite you. They’re never going to do anything to you. It’s living things that hurt you.”
While Anatomy is technically a YA book due to the character’s age, it never really gave me that YA vibe. Hazel Stinnet is years beyond her peers - she loves to learn, isn’t afraid of being told no, and is determined to leave her mark on the world.
I especially loved all the atmospheric details Dana Schwartz added to the book to give it that perfect eerie feel - from the castle dungeon that Hazel worked in to the dark and gloomy graveyards; it made for the ideal setting.
Never in my wildest dreams did I predict THAT ending. It completely knocked my socks off and left me speechless.
🤩 Historical fiction meets romance & mystery
💪🏼 Strong female protagonist
🪦 Perfectly atmospheric
👏🏼 YA but didn’t feel like a typical YA title
While Anatomy is a historical fiction mixed with mystery and romance, it would be a great read this autumn. If anyone is interested, I plan to read the second book in the dualogy - Immortality!
_
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Genre: Young Adult
Trope: Historical Fiction/Romance
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 1.18.2022
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
“Dead bodies are never going to bite you. They’re never going to do anything to you. It’s living things that hurt you.”
While Anatomy is technically a YA book due to the character’s age, it never really gave me that YA vibe. Hazel Stinnet is years beyond her peers - she loves to learn, isn’t afraid of being told no, and is determined to leave her mark on the world.
I especially loved all the atmospheric details Dana Schwartz added to the book to give it that perfect eerie feel - from the castle dungeon that Hazel worked in to the dark and gloomy graveyards; it made for the ideal setting.
Never in my wildest dreams did I predict THAT ending. It completely knocked my socks off and left me speechless.
🤩 Historical fiction meets romance & mystery
💪🏼 Strong female protagonist
🪦 Perfectly atmospheric
👏🏼 YA but didn’t feel like a typical YA title
While Anatomy is a historical fiction mixed with mystery and romance, it would be a great read this autumn. If anyone is interested, I plan to read the second book in the dualogy - Immortality!
_
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funny
fast-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
What a 👑 PERFECT 👑 ending to this highly entertaining series! || Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Reign!
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 8.9.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
There’s not much to say except that all your favorite characters are back for one last book full of drama, humor, and a few (much-needed) heartfelt moments.
Over the years of reading American Royals, I’ve grown attached to all the characters (yes, including Daphne). So, it just felt like such a perfect ending for everyone. Katharine McGee did a terrific job wrapping the series up and left no stone unturned.
I will stand by this when I say that American Royals should be made into a TV series (not a movie). Fingers crossed, that happens!
🥳 Everyone is back
🥰 Who will get their happily ever after?
🤭 Oh, the drama!
🫶🏼 Perfect ending
If you haven’t already started this series, I encourage you to pick up American Royals and be ready to be entertained!
_
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Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 8.9.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
There’s not much to say except that all your favorite characters are back for one last book full of drama, humor, and a few (much-needed) heartfelt moments.
Over the years of reading American Royals, I’ve grown attached to all the characters (yes, including Daphne). So, it just felt like such a perfect ending for everyone. Katharine McGee did a terrific job wrapping the series up and left no stone unturned.
I will stand by this when I say that American Royals should be made into a TV series (not a movie). Fingers crossed, that happens!
🥳 Everyone is back
🥰 Who will get their happily ever after?
🤭 Oh, the drama!
🫶🏼 Perfect ending
If you haven’t already started this series, I encourage you to pick up American Royals and be ready to be entertained!
_
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dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Hello, Fall! Bring on all the scary, creepy, spooky reads 👻
Thank you, Berkley Publishing & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The September House {partner}
Genre: Horror
Trope: Haunted House
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆.5
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆.5
“The walls of the house were bleeding again. This sort of thing could be expected; it was, after all, September.”
The September House will make for the perfect read for this fall!
To be honest, I was sure what to expect when I started listening to this book, but it was full of lots of gore, uneasy moments, humor, dead children, and a little retribution. It was a highly entertaining read that captivated me from start to finish. The narrator, Kimberly Farr, did an outstanding job with the audiobook, adding the perfect touch to my listening experience.
While I wouldn’t say that this is the most horrifying book I’ve ever read, it had its “ick” factor moments (where the horror element comes in) and quite a few pages that had me seriously questioning everything I knew. As I said, it was entertaining and will make for an excellent read for this fall.
🧟♂️ Creepy children
🩸 Lots of icky moments
🏚️ Haunted House
🤩 Very entertaining
❌ domestic abuse, gore, child abuse (DM with concerns about this)
I recommend The September House for fans of A House with Good Bones, Mexican Gothic, and Lone Women.
_
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Thank you, Berkley Publishing & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The September House {partner}
Genre: Horror
Trope: Haunted House
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆.5
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆.5
“The walls of the house were bleeding again. This sort of thing could be expected; it was, after all, September.”
The September House will make for the perfect read for this fall!
To be honest, I was sure what to expect when I started listening to this book, but it was full of lots of gore, uneasy moments, humor, dead children, and a little retribution. It was a highly entertaining read that captivated me from start to finish. The narrator, Kimberly Farr, did an outstanding job with the audiobook, adding the perfect touch to my listening experience.
While I wouldn’t say that this is the most horrifying book I’ve ever read, it had its “ick” factor moments (where the horror element comes in) and quite a few pages that had me seriously questioning everything I knew. As I said, it was entertaining and will make for an excellent read for this fall.
🧟♂️ Creepy children
🩸 Lots of icky moments
🏚️ Haunted House
🤩 Very entertaining
❌ domestic abuse, gore, child abuse (DM with concerns about this)
I recommend The September House for fans of A House with Good Bones, Mexican Gothic, and Lone Women.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gore
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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:
N/A
A book you'll want to add to your reading list for next year!
Thank you, St Martins Press, for the gifted copy of The Women! {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: Vietnam War
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 2.6.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
The Women is the first book I've read about the Vietnam War — not just in the U.S. during the war but in the middle of a combat zone. It's brutal, honest, and unapologetically honest about life for those serving during that time.
Once I started reading The Women, everything else was put down, and it had my full attention. I stayed up too late each night and got up early just to read a few more pages. I constantly talked about the story to my friends, family, and husband (really anyone who would listen). In true Kristin Hannah fashion, it grabbed my heart and didn't let go until the end.
The only two issues I had with the book were that I wanted more time with Francis during the war. That part of the book had me sitting on the edge of my seat, consumed by every word. It's an integral part of history that is often forgotten because of how it reflects our country. The second half of the book had too much focus on a love interest of Francis. Maybe Hannah was trying to show how the world had broken Francis down and left her doubting everything she thought she knew, but Francis could take on the world alone.
Speaking of Francis - I loved her and ached for all she endured before, during, and after the war. I had no idea that women who served were treated so terribly. The way that Kristin Hannah told Francis' story brought to life all of the atrocities of the Vietnam War - the loss, the anger, the silence; it was all there.
The Women may be set over 20 years, but the story is so addicting that time will fly by once you sit down to read it. Add The Women to your 2024 most anticipated reads list - you don't want to miss out.
---
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Thank you, St Martins Press, for the gifted copy of The Women! {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Time: Vietnam War
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 2.6.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
The Women is the first book I've read about the Vietnam War — not just in the U.S. during the war but in the middle of a combat zone. It's brutal, honest, and unapologetically honest about life for those serving during that time.
Once I started reading The Women, everything else was put down, and it had my full attention. I stayed up too late each night and got up early just to read a few more pages. I constantly talked about the story to my friends, family, and husband (really anyone who would listen). In true Kristin Hannah fashion, it grabbed my heart and didn't let go until the end.
The only two issues I had with the book were that I wanted more time with Francis during the war. That part of the book had me sitting on the edge of my seat, consumed by every word. It's an integral part of history that is often forgotten because of how it reflects our country. The second half of the book had too much focus on a love interest of Francis. Maybe Hannah was trying to show how the world had broken Francis down and left her doubting everything she thought she knew, but Francis could take on the world alone.
Speaking of Francis - I loved her and ached for all she endured before, during, and after the war. I had no idea that women who served were treated so terribly. The way that Kristin Hannah told Francis' story brought to life all of the atrocities of the Vietnam War - the loss, the anger, the silence; it was all there.
The Women may be set over 20 years, but the story is so addicting that time will fly by once you sit down to read it. Add The Women to your 2024 most anticipated reads list - you don't want to miss out.
---
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dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Divine Rivals 📝
Genre: Fantasy
Trope: YA
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 4.4.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
"It's not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless."
I jumped on the Divine Rivals bandwagon after seeing it all over Instagram. Since finishing Fourth Wing earlier this summer, I've been searching for that same Fantasy high and was hoping to find it in a story about "a girl who writes letters to her missing brother, and the boy who reads them."
While I didn't find that same high that I had been searching for, I did thoroughly enjoy reading Divine Rivals. I loved the aspect of them writing letters to one another and them magically being delivered no matter where they were in the world. It was a type of classic romance that I didn't know I'd been searching for.
However, what irked me the most was how Iris treated Kit throughout the book. I understand that this is made to be an 'enemies to lovers' type of romance - but she was unkind to him on so many occasions. Maybe this is due to her history and the lack of kindness in her personal life, but I didn't love that aspect of the story. But, once the two 'found one another,' the book picked up.
My biggest complaint is that the ending felt so rushed. There was all this lead-up, and then it was just over. I'm not one to gravitate towards the hefty books, but I think Divine Rivals could've had 100ish pages more, and it would've felt like a more complete story. I know there's a second book publishing later this year, but I still think book one was too rushed.
🖤 Enemies to lovers romance
👧🏽 YA feel, but the characters are adults
✍🏼 Letter writing
🧐 Ended too quickly
Again, it wasn't quite what I was looking for, but it was still a fun read, and I will definitely pick up book two.
_
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Genre: Fantasy
Trope: YA
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 4.4.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
"It's not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless."
I jumped on the Divine Rivals bandwagon after seeing it all over Instagram. Since finishing Fourth Wing earlier this summer, I've been searching for that same Fantasy high and was hoping to find it in a story about "a girl who writes letters to her missing brother, and the boy who reads them."
While I didn't find that same high that I had been searching for, I did thoroughly enjoy reading Divine Rivals. I loved the aspect of them writing letters to one another and them magically being delivered no matter where they were in the world. It was a type of classic romance that I didn't know I'd been searching for.
However, what irked me the most was how Iris treated Kit throughout the book. I understand that this is made to be an 'enemies to lovers' type of romance - but she was unkind to him on so many occasions. Maybe this is due to her history and the lack of kindness in her personal life, but I didn't love that aspect of the story. But, once the two 'found one another,' the book picked up.
My biggest complaint is that the ending felt so rushed. There was all this lead-up, and then it was just over. I'm not one to gravitate towards the hefty books, but I think Divine Rivals could've had 100ish pages more, and it would've felt like a more complete story. I know there's a second book publishing later this year, but I still think book one was too rushed.
🖤 Enemies to lovers romance
👧🏽 YA feel, but the characters are adults
✍🏼 Letter writing
🧐 Ended too quickly
Again, it wasn't quite what I was looking for, but it was still a fun read, and I will definitely pick up book two.
_
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adventurous
challenging
emotional
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:
Yes
Drums of Autumn 🍂
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 12.30.1996
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
"Forgiveness is not a single act, but a matter of constant practice."
Four books of Outlander down!
For those keeping track, I'm buddy-reading the Outlander series with my friend Sarah! Every other month, we attempt to tackle another book in the series on audiobook. It took me a while to get into Outlander (book one). I enjoyed Dragonfly in Amber (that ending!), and Voyager (book 3) was my favorite! But, book 4? Oh gosh, it was not fun at all.
I struggled to find a connection point within the story. So many different things were occurring, and characters added that I couldn't quite figure out what was happening for a good chunk of the book. My favorite storyline for Drums of Autumn was Bree and Roger - they added another dimension to the story, and I was excited to see more from them.
I hope The Fiery Cross will quickly get me back into the Outlander universe! We'll be starting that in October.
___
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 12.30.1996
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
"Forgiveness is not a single act, but a matter of constant practice."
Four books of Outlander down!
For those keeping track, I'm buddy-reading the Outlander series with my friend Sarah! Every other month, we attempt to tackle another book in the series on audiobook. It took me a while to get into Outlander (book one). I enjoyed Dragonfly in Amber (that ending!), and Voyager (book 3) was my favorite! But, book 4? Oh gosh, it was not fun at all.
I struggled to find a connection point within the story. So many different things were occurring, and characters added that I couldn't quite figure out what was happening for a good chunk of the book. My favorite storyline for Drums of Autumn was Bree and Roger - they added another dimension to the story, and I was excited to see more from them.
I hope The Fiery Cross will quickly get me back into the Outlander universe! We'll be starting that in October.
___
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape