Take a photo of a barcode or cover
charvi_not_just_fiction's reviews
730 reviews
Find You First by Linwood Barclay
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a breathtaking pageturner of a thriller!
I adore everything Barclay writes but this was just next level. The plot is engaging, the pacing is perfect and I loved getting to know the different characters introduced to us. You're invested in each and every one of them as well as their little subplots. You really think you know what's happening until the plot twists hit you.
It's all beautifully spun together and I loved how it all clicked and made sense in the end leaving me shocked. I'd honestly say go into this without trying to find much of what it's about. Just know that it's a thriller about a dying rich man trying to find his children and connect with them as they start disappearing and getting killed off.
I promise you're in for a wonderful ride!
I adore everything Barclay writes but this was just next level. The plot is engaging, the pacing is perfect and I loved getting to know the different characters introduced to us. You're invested in each and every one of them as well as their little subplots. You really think you know what's happening until the plot twists hit you.
It's all beautifully spun together and I loved how it all clicked and made sense in the end leaving me shocked. I'd honestly say go into this without trying to find much of what it's about. Just know that it's a thriller about a dying rich man trying to find his children and connect with them as they start disappearing and getting killed off.
I promise you're in for a wonderful ride!
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a very cozy, quiet and heartwarming piece of literary fiction.
This book is a bout a set of stories starring different characters as they seek out the Kamogawa diner and the detective agency to recreate a meal from their past lives. Each of them has a different story and a different approach. All in all this book is about family, looking at your past, and living life while appreciating it - especially appreciating food.
Honestly, I feel my expectations were a bit too high and the first couple of stories didn't hit me as hard as the rest. Overall, it's a nice and cozy book but I won't say it's my favourite either. Just a personal preference thing, I guess. The concept is so intriguing, though!
This book is a bout a set of stories starring different characters as they seek out the Kamogawa diner and the detective agency to recreate a meal from their past lives. Each of them has a different story and a different approach. All in all this book is about family, looking at your past, and living life while appreciating it - especially appreciating food.
Honestly, I feel my expectations were a bit too high and the first couple of stories didn't hit me as hard as the rest. Overall, it's a nice and cozy book but I won't say it's my favourite either. Just a personal preference thing, I guess. The concept is so intriguing, though!
All Systems Red (Dramatized Adaptation) by Martha Wells
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I listened to the dramatized adaptation of this novella and wow - it was something else.
I love the concept of a murderbot who wants to protect the humans it likes but would also just rather binge his tv shows and never be interrupted. True introvert core, hehe.
The worldbuilding is well done and very intriguing so I'll probably continue with this series because it left me wanting more. This is very high sci-fi though and I was multitasking while listening to the audiobook so I'd suggest paying full attention to this one, especially if you're not used to high sci-fi.
But yeah, I loved Murderbot's personality and I really liked the messages it carried and stayed true to. Excited to read the next book in the series!
I love the concept of a murderbot who wants to protect the humans it likes but would also just rather binge his tv shows and never be interrupted. True introvert core, hehe.
The worldbuilding is well done and very intriguing so I'll probably continue with this series because it left me wanting more. This is very high sci-fi though and I was multitasking while listening to the audiobook so I'd suggest paying full attention to this one, especially if you're not used to high sci-fi.
But yeah, I loved Murderbot's personality and I really liked the messages it carried and stayed true to. Excited to read the next book in the series!
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I sped through this in the audiobook format! Literally obsessed.
The Book of M has a gripping narrative with a very intriguing premise - what if people's shadows started disappearing and they began forgetting everything? The worldbuilding was good and the characters were honestly my favourite part of it all. I got attached to all our narrators and every side character ever because they were so fleshed out. I was very invested in their journeys and to see how it would all end for them.
The multiple POV works out for this book and really kept me going. It helped build the pace and draw the reader in because there were so many different plot points I wanted to get to know about. It's such an emotional ride with some plot twists you really couldn't have predicted. I was just so blown away - I need some time alone to recover, honestly.
I do see why this isn't for some readers. At some point in the middle, the book turns very much into vibes and characters rather than plot progression and stays like that till almost the very end. So if you're not into that this might not be it for you. The pace also slows considerably in the middle and if I weren't reading the audiobook I might have dragged my feet about finishing the book considering this is a chunky one. So yeah, I'd definitely recommend the audiobook.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The Book of M has a gripping narrative with a very intriguing premise - what if people's shadows started disappearing and they began forgetting everything? The worldbuilding was good and the characters were honestly my favourite part of it all. I got attached to all our narrators and every side character ever because they were so fleshed out. I was very invested in their journeys and to see how it would all end for them.
The multiple POV works out for this book and really kept me going. It helped build the pace and draw the reader in because there were so many different plot points I wanted to get to know about. It's such an emotional ride with some plot twists you really couldn't have predicted. I was just so blown away - I need some time alone to recover, honestly.
I do see why this isn't for some readers. At some point in the middle, the book turns very much into vibes and characters rather than plot progression and stays like that till almost the very end. So if you're not into that this might not be it for you. The pace also slows considerably in the middle and if I weren't reading the audiobook I might have dragged my feet about finishing the book considering this is a chunky one. So yeah, I'd definitely recommend the audiobook.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay
adventurous
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? No
4.0
The first book of 2025 - Linwood Barclay does not disappoint!
I love everything the author writes but he prefaces this book by saying how this is different from his usual work and in my case it has ramped up even further in my alley <3 I love reading books about AI (even though it's so much spookier now, haha) and mash that into a thriller about AI cars taking over and I'm sold.
I really enjoyed the pace of the book and the plot centring around Sandra and her family. Also it was so wholesome and refreshing to see the blossoming friendship between Sandra's teen daughter and the old man Bruce who lived across the street - most iconic duo ever.
Other than that, I just always enjoy how Barclay keeps it real and doesn't sort of shy away from going deep into the nitty gritty or killing characters off when he needs to. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to all thriller lovers.
I love everything the author writes but he prefaces this book by saying how this is different from his usual work and in my case it has ramped up even further in my alley <3 I love reading books about AI (even though it's so much spookier now, haha) and mash that into a thriller about AI cars taking over and I'm sold.
I really enjoyed the pace of the book and the plot centring around Sandra and her family. Also it was so wholesome and refreshing to see the blossoming friendship between Sandra's teen daughter and the old man Bruce who lived across the street - most iconic duo ever.
Other than that, I just always enjoy how Barclay keeps it real and doesn't sort of shy away from going deep into the nitty gritty or killing characters off when he needs to. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to all thriller lovers.
If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was an okay book. I really liked the concept of making things disappear to extend your life by a day and while certain aspects of the narrator's life were very heartfelt, the learnings and lessons from this book didn't kand as hard as I had hoped. I don't know if this is a personal issue (probably??) but a lot of the introspective insights this man reached I'd reached as a teenager so I was just like huh? Is this news to you?
Anyway, a decent story overall.
Anyway, a decent story overall.
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a lovely BIPOC coming-of-age story that just melted my heart. Combine that with an mc who reads and actively engages with the fandom world?? You've got me hooked!
The pacing of the story is a bit slow as we go through Elsie's journey of crushing on girls and gaining the courage to act on them. I didn't mind the pacing and there was also a very interesting subplot of Elsie trying to find what seemed like her friend's grandmother's long-lost lover through the letters the grandmother left behind. All while dealing with some family tensions and trying to figure out the strange relations between her family members as they all grieve Elsie's grandfather.
This book is packed with a lot of stuff, and the author does a great job of pacing between them. At its core, this is a book about family, love and self-discovery and friendships. So if you're into coming-of-age stories, I'd definitely recommend this one!
The pacing of the story is a bit slow as we go through Elsie's journey of crushing on girls and gaining the courage to act on them. I didn't mind the pacing and there was also a very interesting subplot of Elsie trying to find what seemed like her friend's grandmother's long-lost lover through the letters the grandmother left behind. All while dealing with some family tensions and trying to figure out the strange relations between her family members as they all grieve Elsie's grandfather.
This book is packed with a lot of stuff, and the author does a great job of pacing between them. At its core, this is a book about family, love and self-discovery and friendships. So if you're into coming-of-age stories, I'd definitely recommend this one!
Fangs by Sarah Andersen
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This was so cute???
I really went in expecting something darker but like?? A werewolf and vampire romance except it's the cutest thing ever, just snippets from their lives, like a slice of life book illustrated. And gosh,, Sarah Andersen never disappoints with her art - it's all beautiful!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and even lauughed out loud. I could honestly read comic strips from the lives of these characters for days.
Loved it!
I really went in expecting something darker but like?? A werewolf and vampire romance except it's the cutest thing ever, just snippets from their lives, like a slice of life book illustrated. And gosh,, Sarah Andersen never disappoints with her art - it's all beautiful!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and even lauughed out loud. I could honestly read comic strips from the lives of these characters for days.
Loved it!
I'll Be Home For Christmas by Mason Deaver
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The perfect little story to read on Christmas!
I Wish You All the Best has a very special place in my heart so it was a lovely experience to read this companion love story! I'd definitely recommend reading the first book before this, haha but yeah, Ben and Nathan are absolutely adorable together - such cinnamon rolls!!
I Wish You All the Best has a very special place in my heart so it was a lovely experience to read this companion love story! I'd definitely recommend reading the first book before this, haha but yeah, Ben and Nathan are absolutely adorable together - such cinnamon rolls!!
Foster by Claire Keegan
relaxing
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? No
4.0
This was such a short but heartwarming story!
It's a quiet kind of book set in Ireland, about the life of a little girl who goes to live with some strangers. It does a beautiful job depicting themes like family, coming of age and love. Also the imagery?? Gorgeous. It's a lovely book to curl up in bed with :)
It's a quiet kind of book set in Ireland, about the life of a little girl who goes to live with some strangers. It does a beautiful job depicting themes like family, coming of age and love. Also the imagery?? Gorgeous. It's a lovely book to curl up in bed with :)