holdenwunders_'s reviews
330 reviews

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. 

The Compound: A Novel by Aisling Rawle

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

There are some books that are incredibly addictive while reading and this is one of them. I’m not sure if it’s the cohesive writing, the plot line of the reality tv show that strokes that part of our brains, or the low key apocalyptic vibes that lie under the surface. Either way, I couldn’t put this down and stayed up way too late consuming this. 

The irony of my overconsumption of this book is that overconsumption is truly the main plot line of this book. There are many books that take the reality tv plot and they’re always fun but this book has a depth that was surprisingly enjoyable. This book highlights our societies need to consume, the effects of that culturally, environmentally, sociopolitically and psychologically without overtly shoving it in our face.  We need to be gently lulled into our wrongs as a society and Rawle does this impeccably. 

I’m truly so excited for this book to come out and have everyone eat it up, unironically. 

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? No

5.0

Wow. What a masterful piece of writing. I’ve never read Ariel Lawhon before but know going forward, this will not be the last I consume by her. 

While the perfect story for a cold winters night, I will slam this book with a myriad of trigger warnings for those that may not have the constitution to read about sexual assault. I can see it being extremely triggering but also incredibly validating. Justice was served in a way that is many victims dream. 

I quite literally laughed. I wept. I sighed when it was over. A fully encompassing emotionally charged and stunningly beautiful piece that will have me thinking of it for years to come.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence

The Winter Spirits: Twelve Ghostly Tales for Festive Nights by Catriona Ward, Natasha Pulley, Laura Purcell, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Bridget Collins, Jess Kidd, Andrew Michael Hurley, Stuart Turton, Imogen Hermes Gowar, Elizabeth Macneal, Susan Stokes-Chapman, Laura Shepherd-Robinson

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense

4.0

There was so much enjoyable about this little collection and I happened to coincidentally start it so reading one story each day counted me down to Christmas perfectly. Instead of doing a full review I’m going to just give a little blurb about each story as there were some AMAZING ones that were worth it alone to read this and some that were meh. I pray none of the authours read this. 

The Host by Kiran Hargrave: A lovely opening to the ghost stories and a unique story. I was enamored with the idea and morality presented and the ending was definitely a choice (not in a bad way). 3.5 ⭐️

Inferno by Laura Shepherd-Robinson: The technical writing here had me questioning what I was going to get in the full book. I absolutely loved the premise of this story and unfortunately my likes ended there. 2 ⭐️ 

The Old Play by Andrew Michael Hurley: I wanted so much more from this story that it had my imagination running the entire time while reading. I loved that aspect of it but it didn’t hit for me and I found I liked all the ideas I had in my head of what I thought would happen more than the actual story. 2 ⭐️ 

A Double Thread by Imogen Hermes Gowar: THIS is what I was looking for when picking up a novel like this. There will always be a hit or miss among a myriad but oh lord this one had me struck. You know it’s good when you are looking up the authour and seeing what else they’ve written. Obsessed. 5 ⭐️ 

The Salt Miracles by Natasha Pulley: This was a unique story and I really appreciated that. It didn’t absolutely blow my mind but I wouldn’t skip this by any means. I was actually more interested that I wish it could’ve been longer and explored more and that would’ve helped even more. 3 ⭐️ 

Banished by Elizabeth Macneal: Absolutely thrilling. Horrifying. Too realistic while also extremely satisfying. This one is based on a true story then turned into a ghost story about revenge and is every woman’s worst nightmare. I also looked up this authour and cannot wait to read another by her. 5 ⭐️ 

The Gargoyle by Bridget Collins: I’m a fan of Collins and this was a big let down and unfortunately my least favourite of the entire compilation. The writing was drab, the same plotline that’s been done since the beginning of writing and I was bored and annoyed by this inclusion. 1 ⭐️ 

The Master of the House by Stuart Turton: Turton is the reason I bought this book to read so the hopes were high but he did let me down before with his second book so I was tentative. But this was IT. The story was so unique. So chilling. Gruesome. Horrifying. While also hauntingly beautiful. This alone made the series worth it for me. 5 ⭐️ 

Ada Lark by Jess Kid: I’ve never read anything by Kid before but that will change after this. It was a familiar story made new with a beautiful ending and a lot of stunning closure. The writing was beautiful. 4 ⭐️ 

Jenkin by Catriona Ward: If youre catching the theme, the strongest stories were at the end and Jenkin was no different. It was a cool manifestation of inner demons and reminded me a bit of The Haunting of Bly Manor. Stunningly written and unique. 4 ⭐️ 

Widows Walk by Susan Stokes-Chapman: This was a unique read as the way it was written, you know what’s coming the whole time but the story is better for it. It’s a lovely experience to see the future while reading and holding your breathe watching it unfold right before your eyes. I loved the experience of reading this story. 4 ⭐️ 

Carol of the Bells and Chain by Laura Purcell: Purcell is the other authour that drew me to this series and love this Krampus story was left to close out the book. Her writing is so haunting and her technique is always top notch. Absolutely loved. 4.5 ⭐️ 

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0

Laila Lalami the writer you are! My first sit down with her as an authour and while this is my favourite genre, my bias typically works against me with the highest of hopes and the biggest let downs. Fortunately for me, Lalami did not let me down. 

In a not so distant future, technology is “helping” to curve the crime rate by picking up “criminals” before committing the actual crime they’re being retained for. It’s “not” prison, right?  Through heavy monitoring, big brother is watching, even through your dreams. 

As a lover of scifi, apocalypse, societal monitoring, philosophical and psychological exploration, I found Lalami hit all of my wants and needs while still maintaining a solid story without bouncing all over the place. We follow one main character throughout and while there was one perspective switch mid story that had me confused then quickly had me jaw dropping loudly, everything was well honed and succinct. 

There were so many things packed into this tight story that would make Kazou Ishiguro and fans alike pleased. While this sparks hints of my love for things like Black Mirror, it’s less doom filled while still being entirely bleak. I know it’s unlikely to happen but I’d absolutely love for a bunch of other stories set in this world of new characters experiences. We don’t get much of anything in the outside world, and this is a necessary choice for the book, but Lalami creates a luscious world I just seem brimming with potential. 

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

There are so many words that come to mind upon finishing this book. Languishing. Yearning. Luxuriate. Haunting. 

I first read Diane Setterfield when I was still a young girl figuring out what books were and picked up The Thirteenth Tale. I recall being so astounded by it and how romance wasn’t the main plot point of the book and was so enveloped by a fully imagined world and characters. It wasn’t a book that was catered to my age group and while I loved Twilight growing up, it was something completely new and it breathed new life into me.  The Thirteenth Tale became one of my favourite books and I was honestly a bit scared to pick up Once Upon A River. What if my eyes as a grown woman didn’t see the spark anymore? What if they were just the new meanderings of a teenager finding a love in books? 

I did a disservice to myself and Setterfield by not ravishing this earlier. Historical fiction gets a bad rap for “being slow” but if you can just sit, truly sit, this book will move your soul. Setterfield should have as many props as Kristin Hannah gets and is a true master of her field. Her writing, characters, plot, stylistic choices and just her expertise in weaving words will leave you breathless. 

There was no reason to truly cry at the end but I did. I am sad to leave my beloved new friends behind, but as Setterfield says at the end, I surely have rivers of my own to attend to. 

The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

5.0

Parents Weekend: A Novel by Alex Finlay

dark sad medium-paced

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

2.5

I’ve been a fan of Alex Finlay for a while and have always found their books to be a 3-4 star so giving this less does hurt a bit. 

I did quite like the intention, multiple POVs and overall idea for the plotline. But I did have trouble categorizing this as a thriller. The majority of the time stayed with the parents of the college kids that it felt more like a domestic family drama than it did on the thriller aspect. I wish there had been more thriller and more of the POV from the kidnapped perspective and think that would’ve made things more exciting. 

While I didn’t dislike the perspective changes and the familial drama, there wasn’t a lot of emphasis on the college kids and their lives so when the “bad guy” was revealed, I had to remember who that person was and in relation to everyone else. It felt very choppy and thrown together in this aspect that I wish it just hit harder earlier in the book.  I also absolutely despised one of the character deaths as it felt so unnecessary and happened “off camera” too and I just didn’t get the point. I thought it was a joke for a moment and had to go back and reread it multiple times and I still can’t get there for it. 

Sadly rating this book lower than any other from Finlay but this unfortunately wasn’t his best. I didn’t hate that I read it but also didn’t feel good upon finishing it either. 

Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler

2.5

I really wanted to like this book but went in with little to no expectations and came out on the other side still not pleased with my experience. 

I always hate giving a negative review but there was little here that I felt intrigued by or left in the end with any positive feelings toward having read it. 

A lot of the negative reviews harped on the unlikeability of characters but that’s one of the few things I didn’t hate about this. I went in thinking this would almost be a mix of Anna Delvy smashed with the “older” movie The Roommate. I absolutely love heinous characters and they shouldn’t have to be likeable to be apart of an amazing book. 

Mainly, I wish there was just more intention here. From the “unlikeable” characters to the writing and technique, to the 9/11 backdrop to overall plot devices. Everything was met with a caveat in a plot device that I just felt were strung together in a way that wasnt enjoyable for me to read. 

I can see this book doing well on booktok and feel like maybe I’m just not the right target audience for it. I do enjoy a good thriller and a mindless read but I still require a depth I couldn’t find here. 

The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket

4.5