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crafty_goblin's reviews
73 reviews
Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The narrator of the audiobook on Everand were awesome 🤩 but the story didn't work for me. Taste and colors I guess.
How to Survive a Plague: The Story of How Activists and Scientists Tamed AIDS by David France
informative
slow-paced
5.0
Scuttler's Cove by David Barnett
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It's not a bad book, I liked the general idea and the folklore of Scuttler's Cove but I kind of struggled to be hooked enough to reach the end smoothly. I had to push myself a bit too much on this one. I almost dnf it at 50%. But I was curious to see where the folklore stuff were going so I kept going.
The character development is ... A bit too light and stereotypical for my tastes, especially women. I didn't root for any character at all and that's a massive issue for me as a reader as I need to root for a character to enjoy the ride, especially if the plot is too easy to find out for my tastes.
The general rhythm moves from super slow to super fast.
I liked the memories introduced here and there in the middle of the plot. It gives more context, some hints and a bit more of Scuttler's Cove vibes, which was one thing I liked, the setup of an old and small village changing face during summer due to waves of incomers.
The last 15% were a bit too much for me and not enough at the same time. Like, everything has been throw super fast at the end but it still lacks of something... I don't know what exactly, more creepiness, or more folk, or more substance or less cheap horror stereotypes (the wealthy playing ritual and sacrifices with stereotypical theatrics, for example). Or maybe It just didn't hook me enough to feel the vibes and the ambiance, the atmosphere.
As I said, not a bad book, other readers will probably find their way through it with more passion than I did , it was just not my cup of tea, or not what I thought I was going for.
The character development is ... A bit too light and stereotypical for my tastes, especially women. I didn't root for any character at all and that's a massive issue for me as a reader as I need to root for a character to enjoy the ride, especially if the plot is too easy to find out for my tastes.
The general rhythm moves from super slow to super fast.
I liked the memories introduced here and there in the middle of the plot. It gives more context, some hints and a bit more of Scuttler's Cove vibes, which was one thing I liked, the setup of an old and small village changing face during summer due to waves of incomers.
The last 15% were a bit too much for me and not enough at the same time. Like, everything has been throw super fast at the end but it still lacks of something... I don't know what exactly, more creepiness, or more folk, or more substance or less cheap horror stereotypes (the wealthy playing ritual and sacrifices with stereotypical theatrics, for example). Or maybe It just didn't hook me enough to feel the vibes and the ambiance, the atmosphere.
As I said, not a bad book, other readers will probably find their way through it with more passion than I did , it was just not my cup of tea, or not what I thought I was going for.
The Myth Maker: A Novel by Alie Dumas Heidt
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Fast pace, too much for my taste when it comes to thriller/mystery but it can work for other readers. The writing is good and the plot works pretty well. Not enough character development for me to root for any character. I actually dont remember any name after I finished the book. Ended on a cliffhanger so be aware of this if you prefer to wait for the full series to start reading (me usually 😅).
Overall, a good thriller but not for my tastes.
Overall, a good thriller but not for my tastes.
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Those who’ve been following me for a while know that, as much as I read also outside of my comfort genres (Fantasy and Horror), there is one thing I never read : Romance. Especially Het Romance.
A fellowship of bakers and magic caught my interest at first because it sounds like The Legends and Latte (Travis Baldree) kind of cozy fantasy and I tell myself, why not! A bit light on the character development and world building sides, but it's a cozy fantasy read so It didn't bother me that much.
I’m still not a fan of het romance but it’s pretty light in this book so it kind of worked for me. I loved the messages of tolerance, self acceptance and friendship in this book. I also like the fantasy based baking contest. It’s cozy, warm and sometimes fluffy but in a good way. Way sweater than Legends and Latte style but the same vibes. I, surprisingly, really enjoyed this book (for a non romance reader) and I definitely can see myself coming back to this universe here and there if the author decides to write others adventures or spin off based on this universe.
The Emerald Cave by Jason Behnke
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
This book has been provided as an ARC by the author.
If you are looking for a well written fantasy series, mixing mythic, legend and quest fantasies, you are in for a great read with Tales of Piecora series.
Slow pace, strong character development and excellent, detailed world building, The Emerald Cave is one of the rare indie fantasy reads I read in the last few years, that hooked me from the very beginning.
The style is flawless, the writing is excellent and the descriptions are well built and smooth, allowing the reader to visualize pretty easily this massive world building while still enjoying the plot.
I love how flawed and diverse the characters are. It's not the typical quest/epic hero journey but more a tale of survival and inner lessons.
I definitely recommend this book.
If you are looking for a well written fantasy series, mixing mythic, legend and quest fantasies, you are in for a great read with Tales of Piecora series.
Slow pace, strong character development and excellent, detailed world building, The Emerald Cave is one of the rare indie fantasy reads I read in the last few years, that hooked me from the very beginning.
The style is flawless, the writing is excellent and the descriptions are well built and smooth, allowing the reader to visualize pretty easily this massive world building while still enjoying the plot.
I love how flawed and diverse the characters are. It's not the typical quest/epic hero journey but more a tale of survival and inner lessons.
I definitely recommend this book.
The Nightmare Quest of April May by Rosemary Jones
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Arc provided by Netgalley and the file was compromised. Impossible to edit the font size and the one in the file was too thin and small to. E a comfortable read.
BestGhost by C.J. Daley
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I usually don't read novelette or short story because my neurospicy brain needs hell of a time to warm up to a new universe and hook for the characters. But as I did read Welcome to Cemetery first, it works for me. I always have a thing for those ghost and monsters hunters especially those from UK and USA, they have something for the darkish vibes and dramatics. I'm also a big fan of horror, weird true crime and folk podcasts and documentaries. That's all the vibes I felt in BestGhost. It was so good ! I loved Welcome to Cemetery, a lot, but being more the supernatural kind of reader more than cop thriller kind, Bestghost totally nailed it for me. I want more ! I definitely can see more short stories like this linked to Cemetery universe or even a bigger ghost hunters story. I'm in for it !
Welcome to Cemetery by C.J. Daley
dark
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
4.75
I have so much fun in Cemetery ! the book has been in my TBR with the novelette BestGhost from the same author and I was waiting for them to be sell outside of Amazon to buy them but C.J sent me both as Arc so I read them right away. I’m more horror than thriller, but this thriller (Welcome to Cemetery) is so dark than I felt the horror at every corners ! I've been hooked from the very first page. Give me a city with more crimes than people and a bad-ass, unhinged, queer female lead cop with a weird past and I'm in. Her partner, old life-battered cop trying to care more to catch up with his kind of weirdly protector-like and determined partner is excellent. The duo works pretty well. I like how the story is written, the "villain" was kind of not enough for my taste (based on behavior and acts not about the crimes) but it still work pretty great for me. I definitely want more tales from Cemetery in the near future, I'll read them with pleasure and enthusiasm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder