connorreads_'s reviews
22 reviews

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

adventurous tense fast-paced

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

4.0

A great swashbuckling yarn! A fast paced adventure told during an interesting time period. It's a quick, fun read that transports you to the time with great descriptions. It wasn't my favorite crichton book, but it was still worth the read!

Ghost Story by Peter Straub

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Ghost story was a great slow burn. I wasn't a big fan of the style and the ending isn't fabulous but nonetheless I would recommend this to any reader who enjoys a story that builds and builds with tense, dread inducing scenes.

Dreamsongs, Volume I by George R.R. Martin

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This is the first of GRRM that I have read that isn't Game of Thrones. I was pleasantly surprised at his mastery of short fiction. The worlds he builds come to life with beautiful descriptions and wonderous plots. Usually some stories in anthologies are duds, but here I enjoyed every story. They are told well and are really cool ideas. A wonderful read!

Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.0

This is a nice little pallette cleanser between the massive main sequence of Stormlight. It explores some less seen areas of Roshar and its people, which was interesting to see. Lift is a great character and Sanderson's style is a bit different in this but it isn't jarring enough to distract from the story. Solid read!

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous mysterious tense 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

5.0

Sanderson does it again! The second installation of The Stormlight Archive is just as gripping as the first. So much happens in this massive story, plots on plots. A great book 2, looking forward to moving onto Oathbringer! This is a must read series! 

Rant by Chuck Palahniuk

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Rant was not what I was expecting, but in a good way! It was such a bizarre read full of Palahnuik's style - grisly horror, good humor and a wonderful plot. Easily one of my top 5 favorite books. I love the oral biography setup, it makes it a super easy read. Loved it!

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

emotional tense slow-paced

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

2.0

I enjoyed To Kill A Mockingbird when I first read it in school. This sequel however was a disappointing slog that tarnished the legacy that was Atticus Finch. The plot is non-existent, there a multiple flashbacks which are insignificant, and it's just not well written. I was excited to see what this novel held but ultimately I think it was a chance to cash in on the name Harper Lee.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging tense 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

5.0

A wonderfully thick book. Ful of so much lore and fantastic characters. Sanderson drip feeds the reader information on the world in a way that isn't jarring or detracts from the plot. This boom is masterfully written and intricately interwoven to create an amazing read.

Cannot recommend this book enough. A great start to what I imagine will be an amazing series. 

The Regulators by Stephen King, Richard Bachman

dark emotional tense medium-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? It's complicated

2.5

The Regulators is the twin novel to Desperation, and out of the twins this is the lesser novel. There is mostly non-stop action throughout but the characters, setting and plot make the action not worth it. The only saving grace is the bits at the end of each chapter which help flush out the story a little more. I would have much preffered a novel on those. Overall an okay book, if you're a Bachman fan this is the weakest of the bunch.

Desperation by Stephen King

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Desperation is a great, engaging, page turning read. Lots of blood and gore from King in this one. Great story with the usual King flair. One of his better books that tackles religion, and it means to believe. Glad I took the time to check it out!