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coca_reads's reviews
454 reviews
Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M.C. Beaton
adventurous
funny
fast-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
3.0
Short and fun, but not up to where some of the other Agatha Raisin books are. She's completely man crazy in this one, and it comes across as irritating.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a bumpy ride. It was great, but had it's issues.
Some parts it struggled to find its pacing and kind of dragged on a bit, and others, it felt rushed.
I can put some of the chaotic feeling of the pacing to the way the war was playing out, but the rest kind of felt a little unplanned.
The subject matter is still relevant. The talk of propaganda and methods of control by corrupt govts, seeing people as us vs. them hit home, especially hard.
I'm glad I finally dipped into this series.
Some parts it struggled to find its pacing and kind of dragged on a bit, and others, it felt rushed.
I can put some of the chaotic feeling of the pacing to the way the war was playing out, but the rest kind of felt a little unplanned.
The subject matter is still relevant. The talk of propaganda and methods of control by corrupt govts, seeing people as us vs. them hit home, especially hard.
I'm glad I finally dipped into this series.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not as tense as book 1, but with more action.
The character growth in book 2 felt more focused than in book 1. It was narrower in scope, less about overall maturity, but where it happened, it was stronger and more meaningful.
The messages about symbolism, and fighting for what's right and doing what you need to do to survive. It's all so devastating and so hopeful.
The character growth in book 2 felt more focused than in book 1. It was narrower in scope, less about overall maturity, but where it happened, it was stronger and more meaningful.
The messages about symbolism, and fighting for what's right and doing what you need to do to survive. It's all so devastating and so hopeful.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
This was intense.
I know I'm getting to this almost 20 years late, but I wasn't expecting this to be as good as it was.
The political themes and messages are more relevant today than ever before.
Simply put, this was outstanding.
I know I'm getting to this almost 20 years late, but I wasn't expecting this to be as good as it was.
The political themes and messages are more relevant today than ever before.
Simply put, this was outstanding.
Generation Ship by Michael Mammay
adventurous
tense
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
3.75
This was not bad.
It focuses on the crew of Generation Ship as they approach the conclusion of their 250 year trip to another planet.
It dives into their social structure and society and the politics of keeping a community together and working for that long, in a harsh environment, and with limited resources.
It focuses on the crew of Generation Ship as they approach the conclusion of their 250 year trip to another planet.
It dives into their social structure and society and the politics of keeping a community together and working for that long, in a harsh environment, and with limited resources.
By Book or by Crook by Eva Gates
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Not a bad little mystery novel.
Not really much to say about it.
Lucy moves from Boston to North Carolina and takes up a job as an assistant librarian.
Library board member is murdered, rare books stolen etc.
Fun and easy.
Not really much to say about it.
Lucy moves from Boston to North Carolina and takes up a job as an assistant librarian.
Library board member is murdered, rare books stolen etc.
Fun and easy.
The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was decent.
It pokes a little fun at the genre of detective novels.
Former detective, Hawthorne, is sometimes brought on by the London Metropolitan Police as a consultant on odd cases.
He's also worked as a consultant on prominent, British, police procedural shows.
When the Met asks him to advise on a case where a woman is murdered on a day, hours after she planned her own funeral, Hawthorne sees an opportunity to bring on a gifted writer he knows (Anthony Horowitz), to do a story about the solving of the crime, in real time.
It's a decent detective novel, a mostly unlikeable P.I. and his only slightly more likable sidekick on an interesting case. The big twist to this book is that the author, Anthony Horowitz, is writing it from his own perspective as a character in the book. He's talking about his own real-life accomplishments. He's the author of the Alex Rider books for kids and references it several times as well as some of his other notable works. He's written his real self into a fictional story, and the effect is kind of fun to follow along with.
It pokes a little fun at the genre of detective novels.
Former detective, Hawthorne, is sometimes brought on by the London Metropolitan Police as a consultant on odd cases.
He's also worked as a consultant on prominent, British, police procedural shows.
When the Met asks him to advise on a case where a woman is murdered on a day, hours after she planned her own funeral, Hawthorne sees an opportunity to bring on a gifted writer he knows (Anthony Horowitz), to do a story about the solving of the crime, in real time.
It's a decent detective novel, a mostly unlikeable P.I. and his only slightly more likable sidekick on an interesting case. The big twist to this book is that the author, Anthony Horowitz, is writing it from his own perspective as a character in the book. He's talking about his own real-life accomplishments. He's the author of the Alex Rider books for kids and references it several times as well as some of his other notable works. He's written his real self into a fictional story, and the effect is kind of fun to follow along with.
We the Animals (Tie-In) by Justin Torres
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
- 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
This was touching but heartbreaking.
A story told by the youngest of 3 siblings, about a family who were always struggling but always full of love and loyalty and how their relationship changes over time as the kids grow, and learn about life from their parents.
It's also about the secrets we keep from each other and how we perceive the reality of the things around us.
A story told by the youngest of 3 siblings, about a family who were always struggling but always full of love and loyalty and how their relationship changes over time as the kids grow, and learn about life from their parents.
It's also about the secrets we keep from each other and how we perceive the reality of the things around us.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? N/A
4.0
This is a very short and easy read.
Kind of a memior with some fictionalized elements about the genocide in the Sudan.
Finding hope and making a big difference from small acts and perseverance.
Very touching book.
Kind of a memior with some fictionalized elements about the genocide in the Sudan.
Finding hope and making a big difference from small acts and perseverance.
Very touching book.
Priest of Lies by Peter McLean
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Picking up a few months after the end of book 1, Tomas Piety is living the double life of businessman and gangster while his wife, a spy and agent for the Queen, is steering him to be more of a presence in the upper society.
Tensions are building in Ellinburg as a rival gang is securing half of the city and seem to have the backing of the local Governor and a foreign adversary.
Tomas is trying to maintain order and be true to his ideals while keeping the trust of his people and working covertly for the Queen.
These are fun, dark, gritty, and VERY violent. The characters are likeable because they're just so honest about who they are, and they don't apologize for it.
There's so much scheming going on that you don't really know who is on what side most of the time, even if you can see the major plot threads and where they're headed.
Just plain entertaining to read, though.
Tensions are building in Ellinburg as a rival gang is securing half of the city and seem to have the backing of the local Governor and a foreign adversary.
Tomas is trying to maintain order and be true to his ideals while keeping the trust of his people and working covertly for the Queen.
These are fun, dark, gritty, and VERY violent. The characters are likeable because they're just so honest about who they are, and they don't apologize for it.
There's so much scheming going on that you don't really know who is on what side most of the time, even if you can see the major plot threads and where they're headed.
Just plain entertaining to read, though.