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hellokatya's reviews
157 reviews
The Butterfly House by Katrine Engberg
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
to start off: this book was a little hard to read. i wish the perspectives had their own respective chapters, rather than short accounts meshed into long chapters, but aside from that it was a really good read.
i loved the way anettes journey to motherhood was portrayed, it really cemented her as a well rounded and realistic character.
i will say, the twists and turns were pretty predictable - not a bad thing! the author laid out the story very well and all the clues added up, just was expecting more shock from other reviews.
all the (main) characters had their own storylines and conflicts that made them well rounded, without interfering with or overshadowing the overall plot line.
the language was a bit to get used to, and the names of places were difficult to remember, but with consistent reading and note taking, it got easier.
would definitely recommend this book for anyone Not lo9king for a quick read, definitely one that encapsulates you and a whole world building theme to it.
i loved the way anettes journey to motherhood was portrayed, it really cemented her as a well rounded and realistic character.
i will say, the twists and turns were pretty predictable - not a bad thing! the author laid out the story very well and all the clues added up, just was expecting more shock from other reviews.
all the (main) characters had their own storylines and conflicts that made them well rounded, without interfering with or overshadowing the overall plot line.
the language was a bit to get used to, and the names of places were difficult to remember, but with consistent reading and note taking, it got easier.
would definitely recommend this book for anyone Not lo9king for a quick read, definitely one that encapsulates you and a whole world building theme to it.
The Dry by Jane Harper
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this book had me enthralled from the moment i opened it.
the story unravels in a really digestible and addictive way.
i found the flashback sequences intertwined with current times a little disheveling, but ultimately worked.
i would recommend this book
the story unravels in a really digestible and addictive way.
i found the flashback sequences intertwined with current times a little disheveling, but ultimately worked.
i would recommend this book
An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
this book had me from the first page. in the beginning, i was a little frustrated that the themes, parallels, and plots were so in your face, but once that’s put aside it’s a hell of a ride.
thoroughly enjoyed, it was insanely easy to read and digest, and beautifully written.
highly highly recommend as a binge read
thoroughly enjoyed, it was insanely easy to read and digest, and beautifully written.
highly highly recommend as a binge read
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
i enjoyed the premise of this book, though i wish it could’ve been executed differently. i feel it could’ve done without: so many misdirects, people involved in the circumstances of the murder, and either been a fully light hearted read or a murder mystery. i dont think it did the best job of mixing the two.
partially my own fault for expecting a different genre out of the book, but overall just wasn’t thrilled with the answers received.
overall writing was good, i loved jumping from joyce’s journal entries to the other character perspectives.
would recommend to anyone looking for an easy / light read. not one you need to put much thought into.
partially my own fault for expecting a different genre out of the book, but overall just wasn’t thrilled with the answers received.
overall writing was good, i loved jumping from joyce’s journal entries to the other character perspectives.
would recommend to anyone looking for an easy / light read. not one you need to put much thought into.
Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
i really enjoyed this book.
it was a bit frustrating up until the 35-40% mark, not having many answers whilst being so far in, but damn is it worth it.
it was hard to put down once you started, read really well, written and laid out nice, & i would highly recommend.
the ending was one that made complete sense with the entirety of the book, and had just enough clues throughout that you could piece it together without being disappointed.
i felt the characters (mainly ariel) were well rounded and three dimensional. a few fell flat, but that was their intention.
please read this book
it was a bit frustrating up until the 35-40% mark, not having many answers whilst being so far in, but damn is it worth it.
it was hard to put down once you started, read really well, written and laid out nice, & i would highly recommend.
the ending was one that made complete sense with the entirety of the book, and had just enough clues throughout that you could piece it together without being disappointed.
i felt the characters (mainly ariel) were well rounded and three dimensional. a few fell flat, but that was their intention.
please read this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Grief
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Ararat by Christopher Golden
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
2.75
this book was just not good.
up until about 30% into the book, it read awful. i’m not sure if it was the writing style or just too much information packed too tight, but it was hard to get through.
fell into a lot of tropes, too many names (though on the same coin i was irritated that all characters weren’t introduced, some were thrown in occasionally then immediately killed off), and just didn’t unfold well.
also a few typos… how?
wouldn’t recommend to anyone - ending was garbage
up until about 30% into the book, it read awful. i’m not sure if it was the writing style or just too much information packed too tight, but it was hard to get through.
fell into a lot of tropes, too many names (though on the same coin i was irritated that all characters weren’t introduced, some were thrown in occasionally then immediately killed off), and just didn’t unfold well.
also a few typos… how?
wouldn’t recommend to anyone - ending was garbage
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i really really enjoyed this book, up until the 80% mark.
i thought it was written really well, kept me engaged throughout the whole thing, and was unfolding beautifully —
until that mark.
too much muddying of the plot and motives, and i felt the overall reveal was weak and overdone.
wish it would’ve been a stronger finish, that had more clues throughout the book - rather than an AHA! moment to outsmart the reader.
could’ve been a truly outstanding and noteworthy book.
also - not a big fan of the last chapter. was it a ruse to get readers to buy the second book?
i thought it was written really well, kept me engaged throughout the whole thing, and was unfolding beautifully —
until that mark.
too much muddying of the plot and motives, and i felt the overall reveal was weak and overdone.
wish it would’ve been a stronger finish, that had more clues throughout the book - rather than an AHA! moment to outsmart the reader.
could’ve been a truly outstanding and noteworthy book.
also - not a big fan of the last chapter. was it a ruse to get readers to buy the second book?
A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
3.25
i think this book had a lot of potential that wasn’t acted upon.
it felt very rushed at times, and i had my suspicions from page one about who had done it.
the last page was a nice twist, but overall it fell flat.
would recommend for a quick, one sitting, read.
it felt very rushed at times, and i had my suspicions from page one about who had done it.
the last page was a nice twist, but overall it fell flat.
would recommend for a quick, one sitting, read.
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
this book really kept me engaged throughout the entire thing. chapters are a good length, the way the story unfolds is beautiful, and i would highly highly recommend.
author laid out the clues and timelines in a way that made you piece it together yourself, and fall together perfectly.
author laid out the clues and timelines in a way that made you piece it together yourself, and fall together perfectly.
The Woods by Harlan Coben
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. i first heard about Coben through his TV show, the stranger, and was very interested in his books. it did not disappoint. it kept me enthralled and attentive to the story. his ability to create such an intricate and well thought out story is immaculate and i admire it so so much. would highly recommend this book, and will most definitely be reading more.