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ebonysbookshelf's Reviews (119)
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book had all the right ingredients but, in my opinion, the wrong execution. I’m so bummed that I didn’t love it as I had been looking forward to this one for a long time.
It took me the last week or two to get through and at only 280 pages that’s how I knew something was off for me. The pacing was what really solidified my rating for Devolution, as not only are we reading the first person journal entries of our main character, we also have journalistic interviews and “research” chapters throughout which often times felt unnecessary and dry. This format made the progression of the plot painfully slow.
Following the isolation of a group of people in the Washington wilderness after Mt Rainier erupts and leaves them stranded without connection to civilisation or rescue and, as they prepare to figure out a way to survive the winter, the legend of Bigfoot comes to life in a slow-burn massacre… This sounded right up my alley and it’s a real shame that I came SO close to DNFing so many times. It also put me to sleep even during the high-stakes final 40 pages… something a horror/thriller just shouldn’t do 🫠.
The characters were unlikeable and naive, very two dimensional, and the “development” of our main protagonist was outlandish and frankly comical. I didn’t connect with any of the group and found the most unbelievable aspect that amongst a whole onslaught from a group of predators that you’d journal with such detail. It could’ve have been in a third person survival type of telling and would’ve been far more enthralling. I wasn’t frightened once or on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t even clearly imagine the beasts from the descriptions, not helped by the weird individual names the main character gave to them all.
Love the legend of Bigfoot, so I’m sorry to say I wouldn’t recommend this one. However, I can definitely see that Brooks is a talented author and hope that World War Z is a more enjoyable ride.
It took me the last week or two to get through and at only 280 pages that’s how I knew something was off for me. The pacing was what really solidified my rating for Devolution, as not only are we reading the first person journal entries of our main character, we also have journalistic interviews and “research” chapters throughout which often times felt unnecessary and dry. This format made the progression of the plot painfully slow.
Following the isolation of a group of people in the Washington wilderness after Mt Rainier erupts and leaves them stranded without connection to civilisation or rescue and, as they prepare to figure out a way to survive the winter, the legend of Bigfoot comes to life in a slow-burn massacre… This sounded right up my alley and it’s a real shame that I came SO close to DNFing so many times. It also put me to sleep even during the high-stakes final 40 pages… something a horror/thriller just shouldn’t do 🫠.
The characters were unlikeable and naive, very two dimensional, and the “development” of our main protagonist was outlandish and frankly comical. I didn’t connect with any of the group and found the most unbelievable aspect that amongst a whole onslaught from a group of predators that you’d journal with such detail. It could’ve have been in a third person survival type of telling and would’ve been far more enthralling. I wasn’t frightened once or on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t even clearly imagine the beasts from the descriptions, not helped by the weird individual names the main character gave to them all.
Love the legend of Bigfoot, so I’m sorry to say I wouldn’t recommend this one. However, I can definitely see that Brooks is a talented author and hope that World War Z is a more enjoyable ride.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I’m not always one for reviewing memoirs or autobiographies but I’ve sat with this one overnight and feel it deserves its own spot on my feed. I’ve been a fan of Grammer for a good few years now since my husband introduced me to Frasier (and then we binged Cheers, of course!). I also appreciate his history of musical theatre and love of all things arts. However, this short audiobook of his memoir delved into his adoration of Shakespeare too and his years working his up the ladder in that world. I too love Shakespeare and hearing someone so passionate, and flipping talented, talk about it is infectious!
Kelsey Grammer released this in the mid-90s, probably only in his early 40s at this stage, and so it’s astonishing how much life he’d already lived and how much torment he’d suffered. It was heartbreaking to hear the details of both is father’s murder as well as his younger sister’s, Karen Grammer. I’d vaguely read about the murder and r*pe of Karen Grammer but it was harrowing to hear the softness and anguish in Kelsey revisiting that time in more detail. He paid such beautiful respect to her - he evidently adored Karen and always will.
There is still a lot of light and laughter in this little memoir, from his starting on Cheers and the evolution of one of the most beloved sitcom characters of all time. Plus his childhood and early years finding his way in the world.
My only gripe with this is that it wasn’t longer! I could listen to Kelsey all day and hope he releases a subsequent memoir to fill us in on the 30 years since ‘So Far…’ was released.
If you’re a lover of theatre, Frasier, or people in general then please listen to this. It was heartbreaking, funny, poignant, and inspiring. Loved it! ❤️
Kelsey Grammer released this in the mid-90s, probably only in his early 40s at this stage, and so it’s astonishing how much life he’d already lived and how much torment he’d suffered. It was heartbreaking to hear the details of both is father’s murder as well as his younger sister’s, Karen Grammer. I’d vaguely read about the murder and r*pe of Karen Grammer but it was harrowing to hear the softness and anguish in Kelsey revisiting that time in more detail. He paid such beautiful respect to her - he evidently adored Karen and always will.
There is still a lot of light and laughter in this little memoir, from his starting on Cheers and the evolution of one of the most beloved sitcom characters of all time. Plus his childhood and early years finding his way in the world.
My only gripe with this is that it wasn’t longer! I could listen to Kelsey all day and hope he releases a subsequent memoir to fill us in on the 30 years since ‘So Far…’ was released.
If you’re a lover of theatre, Frasier, or people in general then please listen to this. It was heartbreaking, funny, poignant, and inspiring. Loved it! ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wouldn’t recommend picking up if you’re a fan of horror. Underwhelming, far-fetched and mediocre.
17-year-old Daffodil has left her hometown looking for a job to help pay for her to go college the following year. She ends up in a small village, knocks on a door where she is greeted by a professor who says “actually I do have a job for you…. look after my house and oversee the construction crew in my backyard while I’m gone and you’ll earn the big bucks” and that’s where it starts essentially. I already hated this, but kept reading as one thing I will give to this novel is the character of Daffodil herself is endearing. Her self-deprecating humour is enjoyable at times, but there’s so little depth in Portes’ writing that it became insufferably simplistic as the story progressed.
The storyline itself could have been so fun and creepy - this has all the hallmarks of a classic haunted house story, but what “spooks” she attempted to write in it are so dumb. This isn’t really a spoiler, but for anyone like me who has ZERO interest in teenaged romances please steer clear of this book. The conclusion leans into this and made me go 🤮.
I’m being generous with my rating purely based off of our main character Daffodil being enough to keep me from DNFing.
17-year-old Daffodil has left her hometown looking for a job to help pay for her to go college the following year. She ends up in a small village, knocks on a door where she is greeted by a professor who says “actually I do have a job for you…. look after my house and oversee the construction crew in my backyard while I’m gone and you’ll earn the big bucks” and that’s where it starts essentially. I already hated this, but kept reading as one thing I will give to this novel is the character of Daffodil herself is endearing. Her self-deprecating humour is enjoyable at times, but there’s so little depth in Portes’ writing that it became insufferably simplistic as the story progressed.
The storyline itself could have been so fun and creepy - this has all the hallmarks of a classic haunted house story, but what “spooks” she attempted to write in it are so dumb. This isn’t really a spoiler, but for anyone like me who has ZERO interest in teenaged romances please steer clear of this book. The conclusion leans into this and made me go 🤮.
I’m being generous with my rating purely based off of our main character Daffodil being enough to keep me from DNFing.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved this book!
Joe is the facility supervisor at this top secret human experimentation site, but then one day something from his job follows him home… 👀. You really needn’t know more than this going in. I went in fairly blind to the plot and it made it so enjoyable! I’ve not read a book quite like this one, but heard such great things and am pleased to say for me it lived up to the hype.
I was expecting not to like our main character Joe - mainly due to what he does for work - however, the depth Payne gave to the character made him sympathetic and you really root for him as his life turns upside down in a matter of days. I also throughly enjoyed the development of his relationship with his teenaged daughter Riley. There’s so much nuance to enjoy in this though because as much as you’re rooting for Joe, you do also feel for those being experimented on. The setting itself was 🤌. I could clearly visualise every single location and scenarios playing out. Proof that the author knew exactly what story they wanted to write.
As with lots of horror there is violence and gore, so if that’s not your thing just a heads up. However, to me it felt it enhanced the plot and wasn’t simply there for shock value. Payne’s writing style is easy to digest, which made it the perfect novel to read in my 24hr readathon challenge; I didn’t want to stop reading it, but was so satisfied with how it all came together in the end.
Intercepts has everything you need in a horror/thriller: disturbing human experimentation, amazing characters, an epic nail-biting conclusion, and enough spooky moments to keep you on the edge of your seat and seeing things from the corner of your eye (or was I just delirious due to lack of sleep 🤪).
I took my time in reviewing this one as I almost wasn’t sure what to give it, but I have no notes and no negative comments and absolutely ATE it up. So…
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Go out and read this if it sounds like your cup of tea!
Joe is the facility supervisor at this top secret human experimentation site, but then one day something from his job follows him home… 👀. You really needn’t know more than this going in. I went in fairly blind to the plot and it made it so enjoyable! I’ve not read a book quite like this one, but heard such great things and am pleased to say for me it lived up to the hype.
I was expecting not to like our main character Joe - mainly due to what he does for work - however, the depth Payne gave to the character made him sympathetic and you really root for him as his life turns upside down in a matter of days. I also throughly enjoyed the development of his relationship with his teenaged daughter Riley. There’s so much nuance to enjoy in this though because as much as you’re rooting for Joe, you do also feel for those being experimented on. The setting itself was 🤌. I could clearly visualise every single location and scenarios playing out. Proof that the author knew exactly what story they wanted to write.
As with lots of horror there is violence and gore, so if that’s not your thing just a heads up. However, to me it felt it enhanced the plot and wasn’t simply there for shock value. Payne’s writing style is easy to digest, which made it the perfect novel to read in my 24hr readathon challenge; I didn’t want to stop reading it, but was so satisfied with how it all came together in the end.
Intercepts has everything you need in a horror/thriller: disturbing human experimentation, amazing characters, an epic nail-biting conclusion, and enough spooky moments to keep you on the edge of your seat and seeing things from the corner of your eye (or was I just delirious due to lack of sleep 🤪).
I took my time in reviewing this one as I almost wasn’t sure what to give it, but I have no notes and no negative comments and absolutely ATE it up. So…
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Go out and read this if it sounds like your cup of tea!
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First time reading one of Sodergren’s books and I’m hooked. This is grotesque, pacy, creepy, and oh-so-fun. I loved the atmosphere and the setting in the Scottish Highlands - I’m a sucker for a strong sense of place in horror/thriller novels and Sodergren established that within the first chapter of this little story.
This synopsis doesn’t quite capture the absolute carnage that is inflicted upon every last member of this little town in Scotland 😂. I don’t even know how someone comes with some of the scenes that Sodergren wrote in this. Even though they’re body horror and graphic, I loved it and am keen to read more of it. Totally understand it’s not to everyone’s taste so be mindful before picking this up that it’s brutal and disgusting.
BUT! So fun. I loved the folklore element in it, the naive group of young adult friends stuck in a small town trying to spark some sort of excitement and adventure (with disastrous consequences), the sadness weaved throughout it as well…? So good. There’s a lot to enjoy and a lot to unpack in such a short story.
Recommend for anyone who needs a fast-paced, witchy, gory, small-town-mystery thrill.
This synopsis doesn’t quite capture the absolute carnage that is inflicted upon every last member of this little town in Scotland 😂. I don’t even know how someone comes with some of the scenes that Sodergren wrote in this. Even though they’re body horror and graphic, I loved it and am keen to read more of it. Totally understand it’s not to everyone’s taste so be mindful before picking this up that it’s brutal and disgusting.
BUT! So fun. I loved the folklore element in it, the naive group of young adult friends stuck in a small town trying to spark some sort of excitement and adventure (with disastrous consequences), the sadness weaved throughout it as well…? So good. There’s a lot to enjoy and a lot to unpack in such a short story.
Recommend for anyone who needs a fast-paced, witchy, gory, small-town-mystery thrill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is my second Turton novel and I have to say I am a fan! I throughly enjoy the whacky way in which he’s able to turn a genre on its head and do something different with it. I love books and stories that don’t follow the same old formula and The Last Murder definitely achieve this.
I love a doomsday, post-apocalyptic story with a murder mystery at the core. It’s unique, vivid, and a hell of a ride, and Turton’s writing is so palatable that it’s easy to get sucked into. I really connected with all the characters (in their own ways) and particularly enjoyed the use of artificial intelligence. Don’t want to say too much about that though. The mystery itself was intriguing and constantly evolving.
One of my favourite aspects of this book was how it shone a spotlight onto humanity and how we can act in times of despair, fear, uncertainty. I don’t even know how to explain it, but if you read it hopefully you understand what I mean! It’s almost a story of what it means to be, or become, human and I loved that.
A weird and whacky ride, full of little twists and turns and strong characters. Really fun!
I love a doomsday, post-apocalyptic story with a murder mystery at the core. It’s unique, vivid, and a hell of a ride, and Turton’s writing is so palatable that it’s easy to get sucked into. I really connected with all the characters (in their own ways) and particularly enjoyed the use of artificial intelligence. Don’t want to say too much about that though. The mystery itself was intriguing and constantly evolving.
One of my favourite aspects of this book was how it shone a spotlight onto humanity and how we can act in times of despair, fear, uncertainty. I don’t even know how to explain it, but if you read it hopefully you understand what I mean! It’s almost a story of what it means to be, or become, human and I loved that.
A weird and whacky ride, full of little twists and turns and strong characters. Really fun!
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
N/A
“If Banyan Court was a body, it was very sick indeed.”
First foray into Sims’ writing and, while I quite like his style and flair, unfortunately this book didn’t live up to the hype for me. I struggled getting through it - multiple times I felt my concentration waning and the brain fog appearing. I loved the concept (and artwork!) and with some fun chapters and the promise of a jaw-dropping ending I stopped myself from DNFing.
There are 12 characters in this story, all of whom live in the high rise apartment building Banyan Court in central London, owned by reclusive, ethically corrupt, billionaire Tobias Fell. All we know going in is Fell hosts a dinner party with these 12 residents up in his penthouse and by the end of the night he is found dead and none of the guests will talk about what happened. This sounds great, right? But it doesn’t really match to what the book is in my opinion. It’s definitely got more of an anthology feeling to it, rather than a horror laced whodunit. The chapters were lengthy and all followed the same pattern and, frustratingly, just as each character’s story gets interesting it kind of just ends and the next one begins. Felt like whiplash sometimes. The finale of this book felt rushed and cheesy and the constant switching between POVs during the action made my brain hurt. The ending wasn’t worth the journey.
I also want to point out there are a number of grammatical errors throughout, including the very first sentence of the book. On one occasion even the name of the building is misspelled… I had to re-read it multiple times to be sure as I couldn’t believe such an important thing could be overlooked. The poor editing throughout definitely didn’t bolster my enjoyment.
So sad I didn’t I love this one as I had high hopes. There were some really enjoyable and even fun chapters/characters that helped boost my rating below, but looking forward to picking up something else now.
First foray into Sims’ writing and, while I quite like his style and flair, unfortunately this book didn’t live up to the hype for me. I struggled getting through it - multiple times I felt my concentration waning and the brain fog appearing. I loved the concept (and artwork!) and with some fun chapters and the promise of a jaw-dropping ending I stopped myself from DNFing.
There are 12 characters in this story, all of whom live in the high rise apartment building Banyan Court in central London, owned by reclusive, ethically corrupt, billionaire Tobias Fell. All we know going in is Fell hosts a dinner party with these 12 residents up in his penthouse and by the end of the night he is found dead and none of the guests will talk about what happened. This sounds great, right? But it doesn’t really match to what the book is in my opinion. It’s definitely got more of an anthology feeling to it, rather than a horror laced whodunit. The chapters were lengthy and all followed the same pattern and, frustratingly, just as each character’s story gets interesting it kind of just ends and the next one begins. Felt like whiplash sometimes. The finale of this book felt rushed and cheesy and the constant switching between POVs during the action made my brain hurt. The ending wasn’t worth the journey.
I also want to point out there are a number of grammatical errors throughout, including the very first sentence of the book. On one occasion even the name of the building is misspelled… I had to re-read it multiple times to be sure as I couldn’t believe such an important thing could be overlooked. The poor editing throughout definitely didn’t bolster my enjoyment.
So sad I didn’t I love this one as I had high hopes. There were some really enjoyable and even fun chapters/characters that helped boost my rating below, but looking forward to picking up something else now.