Scan barcode
charidabelle's reviews
279 reviews
A Night to Remember by Julian Fellowes, Brian Lavery, Walter Lord
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This was not for me.
I was initially interested in the idea of the Thin Kid and what the mystery behind the movie was but as the book progressed, it moved so slowly that it failed to keep my interest. This is meant to be a slow burn book but I never felt the terror materializing and the waiting didn't seem to come to any fruition.
I found myself not caring about the characters and by the time the book gets to the end I still wasn't sure what the point of anything was meant to be so the premise fell flat in that aspect.
I was initially interested in the idea of the Thin Kid and what the mystery behind the movie was but as the book progressed, it moved so slowly that it failed to keep my interest. This is meant to be a slow burn book but I never felt the terror materializing and the waiting didn't seem to come to any fruition.
I found myself not caring about the characters and by the time the book gets to the end I still wasn't sure what the point of anything was meant to be so the premise fell flat in that aspect.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
slow-paced
3.0
I really really wanted to love this book but it took multiple attempts at reading it and several months to get through. This is a very well written book but maybe something about the writing style does not click with me because it felt like a task to get through every time.
The premise was solid but the plot moved too slowly and it suffered from too many POVs. I also didn't feel any build up or pay off for the romance which was one of the main draws of this book for me.
The pacing and plot picks up towards the end and I really enjoyed Bhumika as a character but I don't think it's enough to have me read the rest of the series.
The premise was solid but the plot moved too slowly and it suffered from too many POVs. I also didn't feel any build up or pay off for the romance which was one of the main draws of this book for me.
The pacing and plot picks up towards the end and I really enjoyed Bhumika as a character but I don't think it's enough to have me read the rest of the series.
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I listened to this via audiobook and found it to be an overall enjoyable read. As someone who loves fairy tales and tales of the Folk, the book managed to keep a good balance between comforting and cozy and dark and foreboding the way that a lot of fae stories tend to be. The winter setting and the villagers added to the charm.
In terms of detractors, the plot tended to drag in places which wasn't helped by the historical writing style as it tended to come off as dry and overdone at times. Emily as a character was a bit of a hit and miss for me as she came off a bit too dismissive and self centered especially when other people were involved.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic and banter between Emily and Wendell and their interactions carried a lot of the book for me. I wasn't quite sold on the romantic aspects in this book but I'm curious to see how it plays out in future books.
In terms of detractors, the plot tended to drag in places which wasn't helped by the historical writing style as it tended to come off as dry and overdone at times. Emily as a character was a bit of a hit and miss for me as she came off a bit too dismissive and self centered especially when other people were involved.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic and banter between Emily and Wendell and their interactions carried a lot of the book for me. I wasn't quite sold on the romantic aspects in this book but I'm curious to see how it plays out in future books.
魔入りました!入間くん 23 Mairimashita! Iruma-kun 23 by 西修, Osamu Nishi, Osamu Nishi
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Impromptu Match by Lily Mayne
funny
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
3.5
This was such a silly, fun romp of a book! I love Lily Mayne and I was excited to start this new series because I love the way she writes monsters.
This did not disappoint but it was much more comedic and irreverent and just plain goofy at times so it's a definite departure from the more serious tone of her other MM monster books but just as enjoyable.
Taylor Hough is a burnt out corporate worker who lands face first in the world of monsters (and monster wrestling) after a case of mistaken identity and hits it off with Holt the manager of the Goliaths of Wrestling.
We're then introduced to the Goliaths themselves, complete with outlandish names and signature moves and all the over-the-top drama that a good wrestling lineup needs.
This is sweet and low stakes with lots of spice and antics so it's recommended for anyone who wants a cute romantic comedy and a supporting cast to root for.
Book 2 is already out and I'm invested so I'll be picking that one up next.
This did not disappoint but it was much more comedic and irreverent and just plain goofy at times so it's a definite departure from the more serious tone of her other MM monster books but just as enjoyable.
Taylor Hough is a burnt out corporate worker who lands face first in the world of monsters (and monster wrestling) after a case of mistaken identity and hits it off with Holt the manager of the Goliaths of Wrestling.
We're then introduced to the Goliaths themselves, complete with outlandish names and signature moves and all the over-the-top drama that a good wrestling lineup needs.
This is sweet and low stakes with lots of spice and antics so it's recommended for anyone who wants a cute romantic comedy and a supporting cast to root for.
Book 2 is already out and I'm invested so I'll be picking that one up next.
魔入りました!入間くん 22 [Mairimashita! Iruma-kun 22] by Osamu Nishi
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
魔入りました!入間くん 21 by 西修
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
気になってる人が男じゃなかった VOL.1, Volume 1 by 新井すみこ
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book follows four women who are a family of hoodoo practitioners as they navigate life and interpersonal relationships while living under a family curse. The curse being that anyone they fall in love with will die.
We get POVs of each woman but I felt that some perspectives were stronger than others and it made parts of the book tedious to get through. Nanagusta was my favorite as we learn the history of the family book and the curse.
Mostly though it felt like the characters all spent so much of their time literally in their own heads and not enough time communicating with each other. So many of the problems in this book would have been solved by talking things out that it was extremely frustrating at times.
I wish we'd spent more time with the loa and magic aspect of this book. It felt like a really big part in the beginning but takes a backseat as the book progresses.
Although we get to see them break the curse, a lot of the issues that the characters have with each other are never quite resolved or addressed plainly and it feels quite anticlimactic.
We get POVs of each woman but I felt that some perspectives were stronger than others and it made parts of the book tedious to get through. Nanagusta was my favorite as we learn the history of the family book and the curse.
Mostly though it felt like the characters all spent so much of their time literally in their own heads and not enough time communicating with each other. So many of the problems in this book would have been solved by talking things out that it was extremely frustrating at times.
I wish we'd spent more time with the loa and magic aspect of this book. It felt like a really big part in the beginning but takes a backseat as the book progresses.