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harryjandrews_99's reviews
84 reviews
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The first half I really enjoyed and then as we went into the other world I was less invested in it. I still enjoyed it but I was expecting more fantasy than fairy tale - despite the name - and the ending just seemed far too easy
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After reading A Little Life just over a year ago and loving it, I was intrigued to read more of Yanagihara’s work. The People In The Trees was a compelling yet awful story and with an unreliable narrator you can’t trust and even despise. It made for a very interesting read, despite its heavy themes, and the thing that I love most about Yanagihara’s work is her ease with which she can make you feel for a character. Whether that be love and pity (as in A Little Life) or despise and hatred (as with The People In The Trees)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Rape
Holly by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wasn’t my favourite Stephen King book but still really enjoyed it, with getting to revisit Holly Gibney again
All That Remains by Sue Black
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A very professional look into the life and work of a forensic anthropologist. I found it very intriguing and felt I was actually learning a lot from it, and at times throughout Black’s humour shines to make the darker subject matter more palatable. This book resulted in me staying up till 2am watching public lectures Black has given and once again I was just enthralled and the science she studies and practises
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fun little Xmas story for fans of The Appeal, I didn’t love the Appeal as much as Hallet’s other books but this short Christmas story was a fun revisit to the characters from the original. It also helped me wrap up some things from the Appeal too
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was given to me by a friend with the description “I don’t think you’ll like it, but it’s wild and I want to know your reaction.” At the start I really didn’t think it was for me but the more I read the more I got into it. The ending annoyed me though but I understand there’s a sequel so it’s setting that up, but as it’s own book I wish the story wrapped up a bit more
Lightlark by Alex Aster
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Outsider by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
End of Watch by Stephen King
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed End Of Watch but it’s definitely my least favourite of the Bill Hodges trilogy. The others were set in a very ‘real’ world and this final one added a touch of supernatural elements to it that I wouldn’t have expected from the first too books. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it and loved learning more about Holly Gibney. Can’t wait to read Holly soon