charlottespiers's reviews
304 reviews

Julia by Sandra Newman

dark sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Still thinking about the rating because some of this book was wonderful: the exploration of what Oceania would be like for women (shared hostels, sexcrime and pregnancy) was brilliant. I wanted more of those bits. 

The problem for me came when the book retold 1984, but couldn't do so without keeping the power of the original message.

Winston and Julia betraying each other doesn't mean the same thing if they didn't love each other.

I also agree with the other reviews that the ending could have been 50 pages shorter.

We didn't need to see Crystal Palace and meet BB. Imo it would have been better for Julia to be found in the forest by men, and it's up to the reader to decide what side they were on - and if that even makes a difference to the outcome in their head.

The Tropic Of Serpents by Marie Brennan

adventurous relaxing 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? No

5.0

The Voyage Home by Pat Barker

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin

dark reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Saltblood by Francesca De Tores

adventurous dark emotional medium-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? Yes

4.0

The Silence Factory by Bridget Collins

emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

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

4.5

That's how you write yearning.

Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson

adventurous fast-paced

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

2.0

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5