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holdenwunders_'s reviews
330 reviews
What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The moment I read The Connellys of County Down, I went to Tracey Lange’s Goodreads page and immediately added What Happened to the McCrays? There was no cover, no synopsis, no release date, just the name of a new book I knew I already wanted to read.
There has been a slew of family drama books in literary fiction for some years but Lange is still one of the best to do it. She captures the nuances of family life, grief, pain, while also encapsulating the joy and community that is necessary to tell a story like this. And that is why she’s the best. It’s not a mirage of deep seated grief without the dual perspective that needs to accompany it, hope.
Just like One Tree Hill isn’t about basketball, and Ted Lasso isn’t about football, What Happened to the McCrays isn’t a book about hockey so please don’t let this fool you into not reading it. It’s an overarching plot line that lends to the true story between Casey and Kyle and the community bound to them. Through the endless, unconditional love thrust upon them they are able to grow separately and together.
With that being said, I wasn’t completely enamored with these characters as I was with County Down but I wasn’t disappointed either. It could be the time I’m reading it, the specific characters that I just didn’t connect with as deeply but it also didn’t take away from this beautifully written story. I will always recommend Lange to anyone who wants a story about people because that’s what she does best.
There has been a slew of family drama books in literary fiction for some years but Lange is still one of the best to do it. She captures the nuances of family life, grief, pain, while also encapsulating the joy and community that is necessary to tell a story like this. And that is why she’s the best. It’s not a mirage of deep seated grief without the dual perspective that needs to accompany it, hope.
Just like One Tree Hill isn’t about basketball, and Ted Lasso isn’t about football, What Happened to the McCrays isn’t a book about hockey so please don’t let this fool you into not reading it. It’s an overarching plot line that lends to the true story between Casey and Kyle and the community bound to them. Through the endless, unconditional love thrust upon them they are able to grow separately and together.
With that being said, I wasn’t completely enamored with these characters as I was with County Down but I wasn’t disappointed either. It could be the time I’m reading it, the specific characters that I just didn’t connect with as deeply but it also didn’t take away from this beautifully written story. I will always recommend Lange to anyone who wants a story about people because that’s what she does best.
The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I hate how many books like this are coming out but also feel so weirdly seen by them as well. I’m hating it for the fact of how many young women have been abused by their mothers, while also identifying and feeling not alone anymore in that particular struggle.
A harrowing read that can be extremely triggering, or incredibly validating depending where you’re seated.
A harrowing read that can be extremely triggering, or incredibly validating depending where you’re seated.
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a sick, twisted, disgusting story and I mean that in the best way possible.
While reading Victorian Psycho, there were two different pieces of media it reminded me of and ironically both have Margaret Qualley in them. If you don’t know Victorian Psycho has already been picked up for a Hollywood movie staring Qualley, coincidence? Who knows. But it has some disgusting (positive) vibes similar to The Substance while also invoking a horror themed Poor Things quality. Either way I can see why this has already been picked up to be a movie as it’s a visual delight in the most gruesome way possible.
When Notty comes to a new household to be the governess for two spoiled children, murder and mayhem ensue and we are truly pulled along for the ride. It is an incredibly quick read but there were still multiple surprises along the way that had me muttering out loud “oh no” on many occasions. I love a good horror book, a gore fest, and a woman being an absolute sicko. There was nothing I didn’t like about this book and am honoured to have gotten an ARC for it.
While reading Victorian Psycho, there were two different pieces of media it reminded me of and ironically both have Margaret Qualley in them. If you don’t know Victorian Psycho has already been picked up for a Hollywood movie staring Qualley, coincidence? Who knows. But it has some disgusting (positive) vibes similar to The Substance while also invoking a horror themed Poor Things quality. Either way I can see why this has already been picked up to be a movie as it’s a visual delight in the most gruesome way possible.
When Notty comes to a new household to be the governess for two spoiled children, murder and mayhem ensue and we are truly pulled along for the ride. It is an incredibly quick read but there were still multiple surprises along the way that had me muttering out loud “oh no” on many occasions. I love a good horror book, a gore fest, and a woman being an absolute sicko. There was nothing I didn’t like about this book and am honoured to have gotten an ARC for it.
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
3.0
I absolutely hate DNFing a book, especially one with such a beautiful premise and cover but that’s where we are at now. I have not finished it and there’s nothing inherently wrong so I’ll give this stars and hope it finds the correct audience, which sadly I’m not.
I have seen this book be compared to a Studio Ghibli film multiple times and don’t necessarily think that’s wrong but what pushes Ghibli over the edge is not the cozy whimsical magic but how in depth the world building is and I found this lacking. I enjoyed the premise of all the magical elements but found the depth to be lacking for me personally. I also have seen it compared to The Starless Sea and can see how the polarizing aspect of that book could be compared here but felt reading The Starless Sea was all depth and world building.
Audience wise, if you love a solid instant love, whimsy, cozy, magic then this story is most likely for you. There’s a lot to like about this book but over months of trying to come back to it, I was doing a disservice to myself and the authour at this point. This book will be HUGE and not wrongfully so. I’m excited for those that will eat this up and hope it even gets picked up for a theatrical release one day!
I have seen this book be compared to a Studio Ghibli film multiple times and don’t necessarily think that’s wrong but what pushes Ghibli over the edge is not the cozy whimsical magic but how in depth the world building is and I found this lacking. I enjoyed the premise of all the magical elements but found the depth to be lacking for me personally. I also have seen it compared to The Starless Sea and can see how the polarizing aspect of that book could be compared here but felt reading The Starless Sea was all depth and world building.
Audience wise, if you love a solid instant love, whimsy, cozy, magic then this story is most likely for you. There’s a lot to like about this book but over months of trying to come back to it, I was doing a disservice to myself and the authour at this point. This book will be HUGE and not wrongfully so. I’m excited for those that will eat this up and hope it even gets picked up for a theatrical release one day!
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Feeney is such a fun writer and I have been looking forward to his book for months and was not let down at all. She often falls into ALL of the thriller tropes but writes them in a way that still feels fresh and fun and reading her is always a grand time. There was a brief moment where I wasn’t sure I liked where it was heading and then she confirmed my faith in her and set it all right.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sometimes a book comes along that the world raves about and you think to yourself that it can’t be that good, it’s even better.
A true masterpiece of literary fiction that will stay in my bones forever. There was such an innate pushing and pulling, giving and taking that draws you as a reader and makes you feel apart of it. This book is truly indescribable in its perfection. There are minute things that I didn’t like at first but after reading it’s not even worth mentioning because nothing can diminish the experience this authour brings.
Just wow.
A true masterpiece of literary fiction that will stay in my bones forever. There was such an innate pushing and pulling, giving and taking that draws you as a reader and makes you feel apart of it. This book is truly indescribable in its perfection. There are minute things that I didn’t like at first but after reading it’s not even worth mentioning because nothing can diminish the experience this authour brings.
Just wow.