charlotte113's reviews
40 reviews

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly

dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Pure by Andrew Miller
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.

I didn't get particularly far in, and put the book down and never picked it up, there was nothing compelling me to pick it up, and to be honest, I can't remember what was said in those first 7 pages i actually read.
maybe i'll try it again some day

Pandemic by A.G. Riddle

adventurous challenging dark inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Ok i did eventually fall in love with this book, it took a while to get my grips, but once, i was hooked, i well and truly couldnt put it down. The chapters were timed perfectly (especially in the middle of the book) so i was continually left with cliff hangers and then towards the end they got shorter and shorter as the plot got more and more tense. The plot twists did have me asking questions of why didn't i guess that sooner, and how on earth did that happen?! But i loved it. I loved how Riddle brought back the past to develop the novel further and i read more, and how that was used to develop the plot, and also how characters continually had me questioning whether i could trust them or not. 

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

This is a difficult book to review, because the plot could have been really well written, however I just felt it got repetitive and the same language was used again and again (creating the feeling that it belonged on Wattpad or A03, not a published book). And then when there was an opportunity to expand the plot further and develop the relationship with the characters, it was rushed and thrown away before you were able to appreciate it. James did do a good job of creating a sense of mystery about Grey, and made me want to get to know his history more, but only providing enough for me to have half answers and not be able to work out the full backstory has been fustrating.

I feel many of the other character were wasted, there was potential to develop relationships to enhance the plotline, but after Ana started to get to know Grey, the scenes with other characters became few and far between. 

I did enjoy the develop of the relationship with Grey, feeling it grow and change as they got to know each other, but the ending was definitely rushed, and felt like 100 pages (minimum) had been crammed into 15, leaving me wanting answers and wanting to find out more than just how it ended - even just Ana's feelings. 

I can't believe I say I will read the next book, but I will, because James did a brilliant job at leaving me wanting answers to questions she created.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

This novel really brings light to the brutal truth of life as a black citizen in old America (and possibly part of current America too). I really enjoyed Jones' use of letters at particular times in the book to create a palpable sense of distance between the characters and to leave us playing catch up with some information - I suppose just like the tension of waiting for the next letter to arrive really would be. The characters' problems were painfully true, however the storyline was still engaging (even if it wasn't my usual thriller!). 
A lovely (and ocassionally very sad) novel to open my eyes to the harsh reality people in the world have to unfortunately experience.

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Steadman strikes again with another incredible book....
I think this is possibly one of my favourite Steadman books. She starts with the ending which left me constantly questioning how it was going to reach that point as I read, and of course, I was wrong, and Steadman implimented some brilliant plot twists to keep the reader on their toes. The ending was dramatic and definitely worth the wait - and the wait wasn't even bad! 
I loved this, and struggled to put it down, easily losing track of time when I started reading, getting lost in the story. Incredible

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

challenging mysterious slow-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

3.0

I did enjoy reading this overall, however it did take me quite some time to actually want to pick up the book and read. The plot is very well written and has unexpected twists and turns which I enjoyed, it is just a bit too slow to pick up at the start (having said that, I don't think waiting a year between reading Six of Crows and this was a particularly good call on my behalf, oops!). The ending was very heartwarming in some senses, but also left me with many questions unanswered, and lacking closure for some characters which makes it not quite feel like an end but a long pause. 
It's taken time for me to read, and I'm glad I finished, but at least the book can have pride of place on my bookshelf now!

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

emotional sad 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

4.0

What an emotional rollercoaster. the balance between each character chapter is well written so it doesnt become boring and i really enjoyed developing my own reader opinions using both character POVs. NIven brings a light to a really sensitive topic without using rose-tinted glasses to hide the brutal truth of it. Her words are so perfectly used to create a tragic, heart-breaking story without moving away from the sadness of it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

You'll Never See Me Again by Lesley Pearse

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.0

This was a beautiful book that has made me fall in love with reading again.
Mabel's character is admirable and seeing her take every step of her life in her stride is incredible to read. I particularly enjoyed reading about the Spanish flu pandemic, written pre-Covid but being so similar to the tough times we all endured from March 2020. 

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

This book took a while for me to start to enjoy, however as I learnt more about the characters and the plot I wanted to pick it up more and more. Cavallaro creates a novel which is told through one character's eyes, which cleverly allows you to only understand their thoughts, feelings, and opinions - an aspect I enjoyed. It was beautifully written so at the end the pieces of the puzzles fell neatly into place and the case was solved. 
I loved the hints of romance and comedy which were sneakily wound into the story. 
I can't wait to see where Holmes and Watson's story goes next...