graywild's reviews
680 reviews

Isola by Allegra Goodman

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-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

3.0

I received this as an ARC. Historical fiction based on Marguerite Roberval who was sailing to Canada from France with her guardian Jean-Francois Roberval when she had an affair with his secretary.  As punishment he left Marguerite, the secretary and her maid on an isolated island near Canada.  She learns to hurt and survive predators such as polar bears.  They story was just ok but might recommend for a vacation read. 

The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

Audiobook version was good.  Modern retelling of Beowolf (which I read in HS).  Centers on 2 mothers. Dana Mills is a soldier who was traumatized during a war (assuming in the Middle East).  She comes back pregnant and gives birth to Gren.  Gren might be a monster but more likely just a POC. Willa lives in the small town of Herot with her husband Roger and son Dylan.  Dylan and Gren are secret friends.  When Roger is killed Willa enlists policeman Ben Wolf to track down and kill Gren and his mother.  The pace of the story is very good and you develop alot of empathy for Gren and his mom.  Willa represents the perceive perfection of Herot.  Recommend.

Holes by Louis Sachar

adventurous challenging dark hopeful medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

The story of Stanley Yelnats and his time in a cruel juvenile prison camp in Texas.  The book is definitely darker than the movie.  The adults at the prison are quite cruel and the boys are serving their time by digging holes.  They are really looking for treasure that the warden wants to acquire.  In general I thought the story was well paced and I felt empathy for the boys.  Recommend.

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

adventurous 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

clever story about Annie (a sentient robot) and her owner Doug.  Annie has feelings and is aware.  She struggles with understanding her emotions and much of the time is very anxious about pleasing Doug so he won't ship her back.  Complicated story about the growing emotional awareness of Annie dealing with the behaviors of Doug, who doesn't appreciate this side of Annie.  Recommend.

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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? No

2.0

I thought the premise of this story was decent.  Cult following a crazy guy who might have figured out how to put magical spells into movies and get benefits for himself and maybe some of his followers.  It took too long for the story to play out for me.  Too much backstory lore.  The ending was find but I struggled to get into the story.

Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions by Steve Martin

funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

2.0

Half the book is a short memoir of Steve Martin and his most memorable movies.  The stories are very short and are illustrated in cartoon form.  The second half is one page/panel cartoon that remind me of Sunday paper cartoons.  Some made me chuckle but basically getting 2 different books in this one.  I wish the memoir was expanded.  Not really a recommend.

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Even though this is over 400 pages I read in one day.  Powerful story of Salama who is living in Syria.  She works at a hospital as a doctor even though she only had a few years of pharmacy school. Difficult to read as the dictator of Syria was oppressing parts of the country and arresting anyone who protested.  Salama has PTSD (as many do) and complicates her life and decision making.  Very well written.  Highly recommend.

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.75

All the stories center on broken or breaking relationships.  The writing is good but at times I wished the short stories had a little more closure instead of just a snapshot in time of the story.  Borderline recommend if you like short stories.

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

On the surface the story is centered on a magical town that is protected by Guardians and is suddenly overrun by zombies.  In reality it is a story about the fight between people who have magical powers.  Some use this power for evil and this makes others fight for their lives and the lives of the other people in the town.  Decent pace and would recommend.

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

Angrboda is a witch who seems to be able to survive death.  She ends up marrying Loki, the trickster god, and they have 3 children together.  At first Loki seems like an ok god but later in the book he betrays Angrboda and their kids.  By the way Thor and Odin are terrible gods. Angrboda foresees Raganrok (the Norse apocalypse) and tries to figure out a way to save her children and her friend Skadi.  I am not familiar with any Norse mythology and I liked the overall flow of the story.  Recommend.