claymay's reviews
32 reviews

How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

2.25

I wanted so bad to love this book. But I just couldn’t. The novel moves too fast and has too many characters and interconnected plots to allow the reader any room to breath and actually connect to any of the characters. There is so much going on that none of it feels even realistic. The writing jsut needed to slow down. I am disappointed. 

Redshirts by John Scalzi

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

2.75

The problem with Redshirts is that it does not establish the necessary basis in its tone to execute the dramatic switch from a lighthearted adventure, to a deep philosophical discussion. Scalzi is a great writer, and the first part of the book is a good read. However, the final "Coda" pages, simply disrupted what was a good thing going. And if Scalzi wanted to emphasize Jenkins' character into the primary developer, why was Dahl the main character? Really, the primary cast completely dissappear post-Intrepid. Really, this is two books in one, just not in a good way.

Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

emotional mysterious reflective tense 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? Yes

3.75

Has some pacing issues. Felt too slow moving, before fully unraveling all too quickly. Attempted to use an unsatisfying ending, but did not do so effectively. I did enjoy the format and characters especially. 

Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce

emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

3.25

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.25

Not for everyone. And you need to be the right kind of person to detach you personal emotional reactions from the content, and judge the novel objectively. 

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-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

3.5

Wasn’t really the sort of impactful, mind bending read it could have been. I realize it was meant to be a lighter sort of read and more playful, but putting that with a concept that demands thought and attention does not mix terribly well. And really, the whole “Soft Horizon Juice” organization was not executed well. 

Leviathan Falls by James S.A. Corey

adventurous emotional reflective medium-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

4.75

So thats the end. I'm not sure how totally to feel about the book as a whole. It was excellent writing obviously, and brings the entire series to a climactic ending. But we do have to get to that ending. I think the book may really lose some people in the midsection who can't get invested in Tanaka's story or those who don't find all the science too appealing. I fall into that boat, but it was broken up enough to make it still interesting. Hats off to Corey for delivering a masterclass in modern science fiction!

Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

5.0

The most emotional read of the series. And holy that climax was something else. It’s is the best of the series, solidly over Nemesis Games. First half ha some slow bits, but the second half, go go go!

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

adventurous challenging informative fast-paced

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

4.0

Holy literary. No protagonists, no antagonists, just a lot of things happening. Abstract ideas of life and species and frankly just existence. Somewhat difficult to follow, but very unique

Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Very solid. Takes a while to get going, but doesn't slow down once starting. Acts as a transitional piece before what I expect to be a two book, "finale."