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duskangelreads's reviews
983 reviews
Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson
3.25
This is the lowest I've ever rated a Maureen Johnson book. Truly Devious is an all time favourite series & Shades of London isn't far behind. Every Maureen Johnson book I've read has been a 4.5 or 5 Star read. This one was just disappointing though.
I love Dual POV, especially in Mysteries. I enjoyed the POV in the past, it was quite fascinating though I feel like the characters could have been a little more fleshed out though. As a whole that POVs Plot, atmosphere & intrigue probably would have gotten a 4/4.5 stars alone. However, the current day POV really let it down.
I wanted to like Marlow but her character was just so flat. As were most of the other characters in the current day POV. Marlow was just so shallow both as a person and as a character. I'm not really sure what the point of the little romance bits were as they didn't add anything to the story at all and just felt all over the place. The plot was also flat. firstly, nothing really happens for a good portion of the book, then when it does it's all over very quickly. The mystery aspect of the current day POV felt very rushed and lacked any depth. This is definitely not Marueen Johnson's best work. We know that she can carve intricate mysteries that will leave you guessing and keep you on the edge of your seat! This one however was not one of them.
Overall I'm just sad about this one. Maybe standalones just aren't Maureen Johnson's forte, I don't know. But I really hope whatever she writes next is back to her usual standard.
I love Dual POV, especially in Mysteries. I enjoyed the POV in the past, it was quite fascinating though I feel like the characters could have been a little more fleshed out though. As a whole that POVs Plot, atmosphere & intrigue probably would have gotten a 4/4.5 stars alone. However, the current day POV really let it down.
I wanted to like Marlow but her character was just so flat. As were most of the other characters in the current day POV. Marlow was just so shallow both as a person and as a character. I'm not really sure what the point of the little romance bits were as they didn't add anything to the story at all and just felt all over the place. The plot was also flat. firstly, nothing really happens for a good portion of the book, then when it does it's all over very quickly. The mystery aspect of the current day POV felt very rushed and lacked any depth. This is definitely not Marueen Johnson's best work. We know that she can carve intricate mysteries that will leave you guessing and keep you on the edge of your seat! This one however was not one of them.
Overall I'm just sad about this one. Maybe standalones just aren't Maureen Johnson's forte, I don't know. But I really hope whatever she writes next is back to her usual standard.
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
A Phoenix First Must Burn by Patrice Caldwell
3.5
When Life Hands you a Lemon Fruitbomb - 3 Stars
Gilded - 4.5 Stars
Wherein Abigail Fields Recalls her First Death and, Subsequently, Her Best Life - 3 Stars
The Rules of the Land - 2 Stars
A Hagiography of Starlight - 3.5 Stars
Melie - 4.5 Stars
The Goddess Provides - 4.5 Stars
Hearts Turned to Ash - 3.5 Stars
Letting the Right One In - 3.5 Stars
Tender-Headed - 4 Stars
Kiss the Sun - 3.5 Stars
The Actress - 2 Stars
The Curse of Love - 3.5 Stars
All the Time in the World - 4.5 Stars
The Witch's Skin - 3.5 Stars
Sequence - 3.5 Stars
Gilded - 4.5 Stars
Wherein Abigail Fields Recalls her First Death and, Subsequently, Her Best Life - 3 Stars
The Rules of the Land - 2 Stars
A Hagiography of Starlight - 3.5 Stars
Melie - 4.5 Stars
The Goddess Provides - 4.5 Stars
Hearts Turned to Ash - 3.5 Stars
Letting the Right One In - 3.5 Stars
Tender-Headed - 4 Stars
Kiss the Sun - 3.5 Stars
The Actress - 2 Stars
The Curse of Love - 3.5 Stars
All the Time in the World - 4.5 Stars
The Witch's Skin - 3.5 Stars
Sequence - 3.5 Stars