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fireplacebookworm's reviews
413 reviews
This Expanse of Eventually by Ryan Jones
emotional
fast-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
3.5
When @ryansreading asked me to read her book, I couldn’t not say yes. It sounded like a good cry and sometimes that’s what we readers need.
The Expanse of Eventually follows Lainie a year after the death of her twin Leslie whom is a ghost in the story. She is still struggling with her grief and lacks everything a normal senior in high school has. The coming of age novel tackles subjects like grief and survivors guilt head on.
I enjoyed this story but I wish it had more. Parts felt rushed, others lacked depth, and honestly I just wanted more. I wanted more about the parents. I wanted more about Lainie and Leslie’s relationship prior to the accident. I wanted more Lainie and Greyson. I think more showing and less telling would have added a lot of depth to this book. I really enjoyed the scenes with Greyson and the setting of the lake.
The Expanse of Eventually follows Lainie a year after the death of her twin Leslie whom is a ghost in the story. She is still struggling with her grief and lacks everything a normal senior in high school has. The coming of age novel tackles subjects like grief and survivors guilt head on.
I enjoyed this story but I wish it had more. Parts felt rushed, others lacked depth, and honestly I just wanted more. I wanted more about the parents. I wanted more about Lainie and Leslie’s relationship prior to the accident. I wanted more Lainie and Greyson. I think more showing and less telling would have added a lot of depth to this book. I really enjoyed the scenes with Greyson and the setting of the lake.
The Best Lies by David Ellis
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my GOSH are all David Ellis' books this good?! I haven't read a book that fast in a LONG time!
The Best Lies by David Ellis is a twisty tale about corruption and human trafficking. Even when you think you have something figured out..you don't.
I really enjoyed how twisty this one was. There were times I was confused, but if I kept reading my questions were eventually answered. I love how this one was weaved and strung together. Never, until the very last page, did I have any of it figured out. In the beginning the multitude of POVs can be frustrating and confusing, but I promise if you stick with it the ride is worth it.
Read if you enjoy:
🔪 corruption
🔪 twisty tales
🔪 thrillers
🔪 unreliable narrators
🔪 undercover
The Best Lies by David Ellis is a twisty tale about corruption and human trafficking. Even when you think you have something figured out..you don't.
I really enjoyed how twisty this one was. There were times I was confused, but if I kept reading my questions were eventually answered. I love how this one was weaved and strung together. Never, until the very last page, did I have any of it figured out. In the beginning the multitude of POVs can be frustrating and confusing, but I promise if you stick with it the ride is worth it.
Read if you enjoy:
🔪 corruption
🔪 twisty tales
🔪 thrillers
🔪 unreliable narrators
🔪 undercover
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
My school has a student-faculty bookclub and it is so much fun. I don't get to attend the whole meeting due to daycare drop off but I am enjoying the 10 minutes I am there and the books!
Five Survive by Holly Jackson follows Red, a high school senior whose mom was killed when she was 13. Wrapped in grief, her friends and her embark on a spring break vacation in an RV. Though they never make it to their destination, instead are held hostage by a sniper. They are all liars, but one of them holds the secret to get them out.
I'm not sure if it's how we read sections or if the first 200 pages were slow. Honestly there felt to be no tension or build up. The last 100 pages though were a whirlwind that I could not put down. I was not a huge fan of Red's characterization, though I did empathize with her. The twists at the end I did not infer and were definitely fantastic. I enjoy the setting and the way the story was told in timed sections. The last 100 pages definitely make up for the first!
Read if you like
💪🏻 locked room like thrillers
💪🏻 everyone has a secret
💪🏻 unreliable narrators
💪🏻 young adult drama
Five Survive by Holly Jackson follows Red, a high school senior whose mom was killed when she was 13. Wrapped in grief, her friends and her embark on a spring break vacation in an RV. Though they never make it to their destination, instead are held hostage by a sniper. They are all liars, but one of them holds the secret to get them out.
I'm not sure if it's how we read sections or if the first 200 pages were slow. Honestly there felt to be no tension or build up. The last 100 pages though were a whirlwind that I could not put down. I was not a huge fan of Red's characterization, though I did empathize with her. The twists at the end I did not infer and were definitely fantastic. I enjoy the setting and the way the story was told in timed sections. The last 100 pages definitely make up for the first!
Read if you like
💪🏻 locked room like thrillers
💪🏻 everyone has a secret
💪🏻 unreliable narrators
💪🏻 young adult drama
A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
tense
slow-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
3.0
In true me fashion, I read another book in a series out of order 😂.
I truly have no idea how to summarize this book other than a lot of messed up murders but a lot of people.
This one was okay. I think it’s important to note that it was so hard for me to stay awake in. Thus why it took so long to read. The characterization of Lily felt odd and childish at times. And there were scenes I really struggled with the believability. The plot twists didn’t really surprise me. Are the others in the series worth reading? Are they better?
I truly have no idea how to summarize this book other than a lot of messed up murders but a lot of people.
This one was okay. I think it’s important to note that it was so hard for me to stay awake in. Thus why it took so long to read. The characterization of Lily felt odd and childish at times. And there were scenes I really struggled with the believability. The plot twists didn’t really surprise me. Are the others in the series worth reading? Are they better?
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
dark
slow-paced
3.0
I decided to teach a book I don’t love. This was hard for me, but for the sake of teaching genre and rhetoric it was needed.
I really struggled to read this one. The first time and this time. The way the story is woven is boring, I said it. The prose is LONG, like page long paragraphs, making it tedious and dense. The glaring bias Capote had to Perry makes me question many of the “facts.” I also really wish someone would have truly found the “truth” of who did what.
I do enjoy that this is a pioneer in the true crime genre. It’s interesting to see how the genre has evolved. I did enjoy the woven story of murder and Dick and Perry.
I really struggled to read this one. The first time and this time. The way the story is woven is boring, I said it. The prose is LONG, like page long paragraphs, making it tedious and dense. The glaring bias Capote had to Perry makes me question many of the “facts.” I also really wish someone would have truly found the “truth” of who did what.
I do enjoy that this is a pioneer in the true crime genre. It’s interesting to see how the genre has evolved. I did enjoy the woven story of murder and Dick and Perry.
The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke is my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it! It is a dual timeline of past and present. The past timeline follows Allison through her experience during the Scottish Witch Trials. The present day timeline follows Erin through her experience with a cult. Both are engaging and interesting.
The only issue I had was one of a plot twist, thus I cannot say too much. I just want to point out that it was underdeveloped and could have been far more engaging then what it ended up being. There were parts of the present timeline that left me bored and less engaged. I was way more interested in the witch trials than in Erin's story. I think this could have been changed had the certain plot twist been more than it was.
Read this if you enjoy...
🧙🏻witch trials
🧙🏻dual timelines
🧙🏻cult stories
🧙🏻multive POV
The only issue I had was one of a plot twist, thus I cannot say too much. I just want to point out that it was underdeveloped and could have been far more engaging then what it ended up being. There were parts of the present timeline that left me bored and less engaged. I was way more interested in the witch trials than in Erin's story. I think this could have been changed had the certain plot twist been more than it was.
Read this if you enjoy...
🧙🏻witch trials
🧙🏻dual timelines
🧙🏻cult stories
🧙🏻multive POV
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Readers Edition by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba recounts his childhood from famine, getting kicked out of school, to learning how to build a windmill to bring electricity to his mud and grass home. The story I read it the middle grade book through there are many different versions of this text.
I enjoyed the story but was not a fan of the writing style. There was a lot of explanations about science and electricity that I am just not interested in. I also felt the story was told a lot more than showed. I’m not a fan of an “in your face” writing style and this was definitely that. Though the story was interesting and engaging. I think middle grade boys interested in electricity or science would definitely enjoy this one. It’s not very action packed though it’s very heavy on the science.
Read if you like:
🔋Nonfiction
🔋science
🔋rags to riches (ish)
🔋overcoming odds
🔋middle grade
I enjoyed the story but was not a fan of the writing style. There was a lot of explanations about science and electricity that I am just not interested in. I also felt the story was told a lot more than showed. I’m not a fan of an “in your face” writing style and this was definitely that. Though the story was interesting and engaging. I think middle grade boys interested in electricity or science would definitely enjoy this one. It’s not very action packed though it’s very heavy on the science.
Read if you like:
🔋Nonfiction
🔋science
🔋rags to riches (ish)
🔋overcoming odds
🔋middle grade
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland follows Meredith a few years after loosing her husband still grappling with the grief. When she runs into a man who also suffered a tragic loss, she develops an unhealthy relationship with him. She continues to self destructive until it all comes to a head, and nothing is as it seems.
I really enjoyed the absolute inability to truly know what was going on during this read. The MC was absolutely unhinged and since this is a first person pov read; I equally felt as unhinged. Not knowing how or where this story was going was engaging. Meredith's absolute train wreck of choices made me emphasize with her for awhile but after awhile I was annoyed and just wanted her to figure it out. Finally, the plot twist, I still don't know what to think or what exactly I should think!
The only thing I didn't enjoy was the plot seemed to lag in the middle. There was a point where I wanted to know what was going on. I wanted a plot twist earlier than 94% into the book. All in all, I did enjoy this read!
Read if you like:
☾psychological thrillers
☾unhinged MCs
☾late plot twists
☾vague endings
I really enjoyed the absolute inability to truly know what was going on during this read. The MC was absolutely unhinged and since this is a first person pov read; I equally felt as unhinged. Not knowing how or where this story was going was engaging. Meredith's absolute train wreck of choices made me emphasize with her for awhile but after awhile I was annoyed and just wanted her to figure it out. Finally, the plot twist, I still don't know what to think or what exactly I should think!
The only thing I didn't enjoy was the plot seemed to lag in the middle. There was a point where I wanted to know what was going on. I wanted a plot twist earlier than 94% into the book. All in all, I did enjoy this read!
Read if you like:
☾psychological thrillers
☾unhinged MCs
☾late plot twists
☾vague endings
Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair is the 6th book in the Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series. I am embarrassed to say that I once again requested a book in a series that I have never read. In this case, like many others, I jumped in head first and read it and it worked out for me. I really enjoyed reading this book and plan to go back and read the ones that came before!
I really enjoyed both the main characters. They were fun, adventurous, frustratingly real, and had great arcs throughout this novel. I was able to make sense of the storyline even though I knew nothing from the previous 5 books. The writing kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat.
As someone who reads a lot of cozy mysteries, there was a lot of character development in this one and not as much mystery. The mystery, though it appears in the summary as a major plot point, is really a subplot to the character arcs of Sparks and Bainbridge, though this didn't, always, bother me, I do with there was more mystery. I also wish the full mystery had come out prior to being 100 pages in.
Overall, this was a very engaging and suspenseful read. I will be requesting book one on Libby and reading the previous five books. I look forward to book 7!
Read if you enjoy:
🔎cozy mystery
🔎strong women
🔎dicey relationships
🔎post WWII
🔎Gang stories
I really enjoyed both the main characters. They were fun, adventurous, frustratingly real, and had great arcs throughout this novel. I was able to make sense of the storyline even though I knew nothing from the previous 5 books. The writing kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat.
As someone who reads a lot of cozy mysteries, there was a lot of character development in this one and not as much mystery. The mystery, though it appears in the summary as a major plot point, is really a subplot to the character arcs of Sparks and Bainbridge, though this didn't, always, bother me, I do with there was more mystery. I also wish the full mystery had come out prior to being 100 pages in.
Overall, this was a very engaging and suspenseful read. I will be requesting book one on Libby and reading the previous five books. I look forward to book 7!
Read if you enjoy:
🔎cozy mystery
🔎strong women
🔎dicey relationships
🔎post WWII
🔎Gang stories
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
inspiring
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
I feel like I need to go back and reread the first 3 books already! I feel like I may have missed so much foreshadowing.
This one had so much world building, I absolutely loved it. I loved the character development of Celeana. I love all our new characters. I am now fully invested in this series! I can definitely see the hype.
I am also really enjoying how I’m finding bits of other fantasy and how this may have influenced Fourth Wing. Finding these similarities makes reading so much more fun.
This one had so much world building, I absolutely loved it. I loved the character development of Celeana. I love all our new characters. I am now fully invested in this series! I can definitely see the hype.
I am also really enjoying how I’m finding bits of other fantasy and how this may have influenced Fourth Wing. Finding these similarities makes reading so much more fun.