heidz's reviews
346 reviews

An Invocation of Monsters by Cate Corvin

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed the continuation of this story. This book didn't hit as hard as book one for me. Elle came off a bit whinny from time to time and it was hard for me to connect with her. The story felt deeper and darker than book one which I enjoyed. I am curious to see if there will be a book 3 to this series. I would read another book in this series. 

The Lost Sisters by Holly Black

fast-paced

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

2.0

The book was a waste of time to read. Taryn is still annoying. 2 star for the writing. 

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

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? No

1.5

Nothing about this book is good. The story itself is bland and has been done before. The characters are one dimensional and have no real growth. I hate the dynamic of the characters. The ‘love story’ and ‘longing’ between Carmilla and Laura is so bland. 

This would have been an DNF if it wasn’t for a book club. 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark emotional slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

I tired reading this in high school and wasn’t able to get through it. Part of me is glad that I didn’t finish the book until I was an adult with some life experience. 

This book starts off as a book about a fairly regular young woman and nose dives when her mental illness takes over. The story encapsulates what it was to be a woman that didn’t fit the ‘norms’ of this era. 

They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib

medium-paced

5.0

This is an eloquent and beautiful collection of essays. While I feel anyone can step into this book and feel what the author is trying to convey, as someone that grew up in Columbus, Ohio I feel that I was able to connect to the stories on a different level. 

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook because the author is the narrator and I really feel that you get to experience a different level due to this being his life experience. 

I highly recommend everybody picking up this book. 

Beowulf: A New Translation by Unknown

adventurous fast-paced

3.0

This was a good re-telling of the classic poem. I forgot how arrogant Beowulf is and I really wanted him to stop talking. I didn't like the use of 'Bro' in this story. I didn't work for me with this writing style.  

Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth

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? It's complicated

2.5

2.5 star. The concept of this book is so interesting. I really enjoyed the beginning and the end of the book. The middle, not so much… 

I enjoyed Libby’s character and felt so bad for her and how her fans were treating her. Peanut on the other hand. I hated every time I had to read her POV. I get she is a child but I just wanted her to shut up every time she said anything. 

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Evil Eye by Etaf Rum

challenging emotional reflective 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

4.5

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

I really like the way this story was written and how the story unfolds. The beginning felt like you were getting an info dump so that was a lot all at once. The story was so different than anything I've read. The story felt like it dragged a little in some parts. All in all I enjoyed the book and all of the characters.