graywild's reviews
679 reviews

If Cats Disappeared From The World by Genki Kawamura

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

An unnamed postman finds out he has terminal cancer. He is afraid to die and the devil shows up with a deal. You can live another day if you agree something will disappear from the world. A lot of reflection about what is really important and what is just a convenience. Makes the reader also reflect. Highly recommend

Where He Can't Find You by Darcy Coates

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

The town of Doubtful had a terrible secret. People disappear and are never seen again. It mainly happens after dark and when people are alone. It could be a man or it might be a monster. Creepy vibes, group of teenagers brave enough to stand up to the problem, decent ending

Come Closer by Sara Gran

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Leans toward a 4. Amanda is happily married to Ed but she is started to change. Is she slowly going insane or is she slowly being possessed by the demon Naamah? Told from her perspective and has good pacing. Recommend

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

Short audiobook.  The beginning was a little slow for me as it established the characters.  This book involves time travel and interrelates the characters. Also events from Station Eleven and Glass Hotel occur here too so I recommend reading those first but not necessary to enjoy.  The last half of the book is very good.  Involves investigation of Gaspery of the characters from the beginning.  Story was engaging and makes you think about what you would do in those various situations.  Definitely recommend. 

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Mackenzie is struggling with the death of her sister Sabrina. The story is intertwined with lore from the Cree.  Mackenzie has moved away from her family and is having terrible nightmares related to her sister.  There is definitely a supernatural aspect to the story.  Parts were really good and parts dragged.  Recommend for a vacation read.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This story  builds of the backstory to The Hunger Games books about Katniss.  This book involves the Hunger Games of Haymitch.  He makes the mistake of showing up President Snow early in the process and now Snow wants to make him an example.  Definitely explains his behavior in the later books.  Recommend if you are a fan of the series.

Monstrous by Jessica Lewis

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Story of Latavia a teenager temporarily living with her aunt in a small Alabama town.  She is getting ready to go to college but is suddenly kidnapped and attempted to be sacrificed to a giant snake that lives in the woods near town.  She survives by making a deal with the snake (who can talk) and seeks revenge on those who were there.  Throughout the book she develops a relationship with the snake who is intelligent and discovers the secret behind the sacrifices.  Ending would seem to indicate a possible sequel.  Recommend for a vacation read

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Alternate timelines that have impact to the ending of the Napoleonic War.  The start of the book finds Joe in 1900s Londre which is part of France.  As the book progresses there is time travel to 1800s London and Scotland as well as mid to late 1700s.  The reason they can time travel is never fully explained but events in the past can greatly effect the timeline of the future.  There is some mystery around the main characters that is not fully resolved.  The ending is left open-ended.  Either a sequel can come or the reader can sort out their own ending.  Good concept and recommended if you like this type of novel.

Julia by Sandra Newman

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Retelling of Orwell's 1984 but from Julia's viewpoint (she was Winston Smith's lover).  If you have not read 1984 do that first or you will be confused.  Apparently this retelling does use the original dialogue from the book while expanding the character of Julia. Still brings across the dystopian world of Big Brother.  Parts drag a little but overall if you like 1984 I think this is a good companion novel. 

Schrader's Chord by Scott Leeds

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

4 records played at the same time open a gate to the dead.  Bad news is if you play them then you start seeing dead people and maybe marked yourself for something bad.  Generally a great concept for a story and it is well paced. Ending is satisfying and not rushed.  Overall a good recommendation.