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honeyreads1066's reviews
340 reviews
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did.
Honestly, did I like the characters? No. Was I a massive fan of the writing? Also no. But this plot had me in a gorilla grip and I honestly had no idea where it would go. The fact that this followed teenagers and incredibly young kids. The fact that this was set in a store where they could have everything they want and needed. I have no idea why it worked so much but it is so different from anything that I have ever read.
The characters I was not a fan of probably for the reason that they really did act like teens. Idk how Laybourne managed to write them to be so realistic but honestly, I'm gonna pretend that I was never like that. Being around kids quite often, the way the kids were written was also incredible. The hysterics, how annoying they are, the fact they feel like they know everything, it was incredibly realistic. The characters did do things or think things that really gave me an icky feeling but I have chosen to ignore it because the other characters make it clear the majority of the time that it's not okay.Mainly the way they view Sahalia, they all gawk at her even though they make it clear they all see that she's a child and her behaviour isn't really seen as that bad even though she is literally 13.
The plot was its biggest success. A series of natural disasters force these kids to be stuck in a supermarket with no adults and they can't leave.A chemical leak that affects people based on their blood type (which nobody knows so it's a toss-up as to which person is going to have which effect). I really just had no idea where it was gonna go until the very end.
Overall, was it an absolute masterpiece of literature? No. But I will read the rest of the series and greatly enjoy the nostalgia for that era of dystopian fiction that it gives me.
Honestly, did I like the characters? No. Was I a massive fan of the writing? Also no. But this plot had me in a gorilla grip and I honestly had no idea where it would go. The fact that this followed teenagers and incredibly young kids. The fact that this was set in a store where they could have everything they want and needed. I have no idea why it worked so much but it is so different from anything that I have ever read.
The characters I was not a fan of probably for the reason that they really did act like teens. Idk how Laybourne managed to write them to be so realistic but honestly, I'm gonna pretend that I was never like that. Being around kids quite often, the way the kids were written was also incredible. The hysterics, how annoying they are, the fact they feel like they know everything, it was incredibly realistic. The characters did do things or think things that really gave me an icky feeling but I have chosen to ignore it because the other characters make it clear the majority of the time that it's not okay.
The plot was its biggest success. A series of natural disasters force these kids to be stuck in a supermarket with no adults and they can't leave.
Overall, was it an absolute masterpiece of literature? No. But I will read the rest of the series and greatly enjoy the nostalgia for that era of dystopian fiction that it gives me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual violence
My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Basically, I just felt it was a little too cheesy for me. Not bad but just in a way I think I'm too old for.
After the End by Amy Plum
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I have had this book on my to-read list for such a long time I thought it would be time to read it, but honestly I think I waited too long and I'm just too old to enjoy it the way I wanted to.
This book follows Juneau, who lives with her clan in the middle of Alaska. They have been taught to be completely self-sufficient after WW3 wiped out most of humanity in 1984. Except when a mysterious organisation takes her clan and she goes on this journey to find them, she realises that her whole life has been a lie and there was never a WW3 at all. Now she can only trust herself, nature and possibly this boy Miles who has promised to take her to where her people are being held captive.
I really liked the premise of this book. It was giving an M. Night Shyamalan twist and I was here for it. The concept of the Yara and the betrayals were done really really well, as was Juneau's survival abilities but honestly, that was all I sort of love from this.
The other characters felt very 1 dimensional and somewhat irritating. I felt like they were there specifically to further the plot and had no other purpose. I didn't like Miles at all, I have no idea why he was the love interest and honestly, the best parts were the bits he was not in. I had no attachment to anyone in Juneau's clan and was not particularly bothered about whether she saved them or not.
Though the plot itself was enough to keep me going. I had no idea where any of that was going to go in terms of why Juneau is connected to the Yara and why her clan was taken. I had no idea where Whit fit into anything and it almost made me read the second book but I couldn't do it.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book but it did have an awesome concept. I think had I been a couple of years younger, I would have liked it a lot more.
This book follows Juneau, who lives with her clan in the middle of Alaska. They have been taught to be completely self-sufficient after WW3 wiped out most of humanity in 1984. Except when a mysterious organisation takes her clan and she goes on this journey to find them, she realises that her whole life has been a lie and there was never a WW3 at all. Now she can only trust herself, nature and possibly this boy Miles who has promised to take her to where her people are being held captive.
I really liked the premise of this book. It was giving an M. Night Shyamalan twist and I was here for it. The concept of the Yara and the betrayals were done really really well, as was Juneau's survival abilities but honestly, that was all I sort of love from this.
The other characters felt very 1 dimensional and somewhat irritating. I felt like they were there specifically to further the plot and had no other purpose. I didn't like Miles at all, I have no idea why he was the love interest and honestly, the best parts were the bits he was not in. I had no attachment to anyone in Juneau's clan and was not particularly bothered about whether she saved them or not.
Though the plot itself was enough to keep me going. I had no idea where any of that was going to go in terms of why Juneau is connected to the Yara and why her clan was taken. I had no idea where Whit fit into anything and it almost made me read the second book but I couldn't do it.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book but it did have an awesome concept. I think had I been a couple of years younger, I would have liked it a lot more.
Parasite Gods by Morgan Chalfant, Nicole Lynn, Marcus Hawke, Kyle J. Durrant, J.D. Wheeldon, Nick Harper, Robin Grieve, Liam Blunt, David Burchell, Carla Eliot, Spencer Hamilton, Cass Oakley
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This is the first short story collection I think I've ever read.
With a short story collection, as with any collection, you obviously won't like every story. However, this one started and ended off SO WELL. While I wasn't keen on the majority of the stories and thought they were just okay, the first one "she carries the cosmos," one in the middle "The Stalker" and the final one "the great winter reef" was incredible. They were tense, weird, and scary in a different way than I expected. Especially as someone who reads a lot of thrillers but not horror. I will definitely look up those authors and aim to read other bits and other bits and pieces by them.
I felt that the order was okay but the vibes of the stories were so different at times that it sort of gave me whiplash. Again I liked the way it ended and began but that's kind of it. I think that the writing styles were really distinct and each of the stories had its own flair in them which at times can be rare. I am also really impressed by the way that each writer was able to tell a complete story and I was satisfied with how each of them finished.
Overall, I think there's something in there for everyone as there would be in any collection and I would certainly recommend it.
With a short story collection, as with any collection, you obviously won't like every story. However, this one started and ended off SO WELL. While I wasn't keen on the majority of the stories and thought they were just okay, the first one "she carries the cosmos," one in the middle "The Stalker" and the final one "the great winter reef" was incredible. They were tense, weird, and scary in a different way than I expected. Especially as someone who reads a lot of thrillers but not horror. I will definitely look up those authors and aim to read other bits and other bits and pieces by them.
I felt that the order was okay but the vibes of the stories were so different at times that it sort of gave me whiplash. Again I liked the way it ended and began but that's kind of it. I think that the writing styles were really distinct and each of the stories had its own flair in them which at times can be rare. I am also really impressed by the way that each writer was able to tell a complete story and I was satisfied with how each of them finished.
Overall, I think there's something in there for everyone as there would be in any collection and I would certainly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, and Murder
The Trial by S.R. Masters
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book, to me, started so well but then stagnated.
This book follows Elle, who, after a small money issue, decides to attend a trial on a private island where she has to take an experimental drug. It starts good and well, and then the headaches start, and bodies start to show up.
I loved the beginning of this; the way the characters were laid out and the way that Elle's backstory was introduced. Honestly, I was eating it up. I also loved a lot of the other characters. I felt that there were too many to be able to form good opinions, but I liked Harrison and Hallie. I'm not even sure why, but I was so entertained by Harrison.
I felt the plot stagnate a little once we got to the island, which is weird because you would have thought that's where it would have picked up. I also didn't particularly like the ending. I felt that it was a little too ambiguous and in the bits leading up to it I got a little confused and couldn't keep track of what happened to a lot of the characters. That may have just been me, though.
Overall, I think I was expecting more from this book, but it was okay, I guess, but I don't think I would recommend it.
This book follows Elle, who, after a small money issue, decides to attend a trial on a private island where she has to take an experimental drug. It starts good and well, and then the headaches start, and bodies start to show up.
I loved the beginning of this; the way the characters were laid out and the way that Elle's backstory was introduced. Honestly, I was eating it up. I also loved a lot of the other characters. I felt that there were too many to be able to form good opinions, but I liked Harrison and Hallie. I'm not even sure why, but I was so entertained by Harrison.
I felt the plot stagnate a little once we got to the island, which is weird because you would have thought that's where it would have picked up. I also didn't particularly like the ending. I felt that it was a little too ambiguous and in the bits leading up to it I got a little confused and couldn't keep track of what happened to a lot of the characters. That may have just been me, though.
Overall, I think I was expecting more from this book, but it was okay, I guess, but I don't think I would recommend it.
Upgrade by Blake Crouch
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think I expected to like this book significantly more than I did because of how much I loved 'Dark Matter'.
This book follows Logan, who notices his body going through changes after he comes face to face with a bomb designed to rewrite his DNA. He goes through a journey to figure out what is happening to him and finds himself trying to save the world in the process.
I really did like the plot, I feel like there were a lot of philosophical questions and ideas that I'll probably be ruminating on for the next couple of days or maybe weeks. There were a lot of big ideas that felt very digestible which I liked.
I also liked how fast-paced everything was. The story progressed really quickly and I felt like there was a lot going on all the time. It made it all not drag out. Although there were some time skips that seemed rather large and confused me a little. I sort of wish there was more detail in that time period.
I think one of my main issues was Logan as a character. I felt that mainly because it was in the first person we should have fully been in his head and able to notice the drastic differences in his tone and the way he thinks as his body goes through but we didn't really get that. He felt very flat and generic at times and I felt like he didn't have his own voice. I also didn't like the science aspect of it. I love that Crouch tried to explain the science but I was still confused, that may have been just me but I was lost.
This book follows Logan, who notices his body going through changes after he comes face to face with a bomb designed to rewrite his DNA. He goes through a journey to figure out what is happening to him and finds himself trying to save the world in the process.
I really did like the plot, I feel like there were a lot of philosophical questions and ideas that I'll probably be ruminating on for the next couple of days or maybe weeks. There were a lot of big ideas that felt very digestible which I liked.
I also liked how fast-paced everything was. The story progressed really quickly and I felt like there was a lot going on all the time. It made it all not drag out. Although there were some time skips that seemed rather large and confused me a little. I sort of wish there was more detail in that time period.
I think one of my main issues was Logan as a character. I felt that mainly because it was in the first person we should have fully been in his head and able to notice the drastic differences in his tone and the way he thinks as his body goes through but we didn't really get that. He felt very flat and generic at times and I felt like he didn't have his own voice. I also didn't like the science aspect of it. I love that Crouch tried to explain the science but I was still confused, that may have been just me but I was lost.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
I read this book because of the hype, and while I didn't hate it, I felt a little disappointed with it.
This book follows January, who is a writer struggling to write, so she moves to a small town after her father dies to clear out his home. She finds out her neighbour is an old "friend" from college, and after making a bet concerning their genre of book, they become increasingly attached.
I did, for once, not hate January as a character. I didn't find her annoying or prefer Gus. I really liked them just the same. I feel like the side characters were a little more interesting, and honestly, I would read a book about Shadi or Pete and Maggie. I really did like Gus, though. I thought he'd be too much of a cliche for me, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but he didn't say things that I expected him to and I liked that.
The thing I didn't like (and this seems so silly) was their names. Trying to root for people named Augustas who you call Gus, and a girl named January is hard. Honestly, there have definitely been worse names in fiction but it did pull me out of it because at times I couldn't help but laugh hearing January say the name, Gus. The saucy scenes were tame as I sort of expected but I wish they weren't and honestly, the books that they were writing didn't feel all that good which is actually funny in a way.
Overall, this was cute and I didn't hate it but I don't exactly understand the hype and don't feel too strongly about it. I just don't think I would recommend it unless someone is craving that sort of sweet book.
This book follows January, who is a writer struggling to write, so she moves to a small town after her father dies to clear out his home. She finds out her neighbour is an old "friend" from college, and after making a bet concerning their genre of book, they become increasingly attached.
I did, for once, not hate January as a character. I didn't find her annoying or prefer Gus. I really liked them just the same. I feel like the side characters were a little more interesting, and honestly, I would read a book about Shadi or Pete and Maggie. I really did like Gus, though. I thought he'd be too much of a cliche for me, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but he didn't say things that I expected him to and I liked that.
The thing I didn't like (and this seems so silly) was their names. Trying to root for people named Augustas who you call Gus, and a girl named January is hard. Honestly, there have definitely been worse names in fiction but it did pull me out of it because at times I couldn't help but laugh hearing January say the name, Gus. The saucy scenes were tame as I sort of expected but I wish they weren't and honestly, the books that they were writing didn't feel all that good which is actually funny in a way.
Overall, this was cute and I didn't hate it but I don't exactly understand the hype and don't feel too strongly about it. I just don't think I would recommend it unless someone is craving that sort of sweet book.
Glitterati by Oliver K. Langmead
funny
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Honestly, I did not expect to like this book as much as I did.
This book follows Simone, a member of a mysterious ultra-rich society obsessed with fashion. Trends come and go and there is always a hunt for a new trend. Simone accidentally does commit a fashion atrocity and while asking a friend to make sure there are no pictures, the friend instead steals the idea and becomes a fashion icon. This causes Simone's world to go into chaos and with every decision he makes and an abundance of secrets about the world he lives in gets revealed.
This book was definitely a slow starter. I was really apprehensive about the way things were written and didn't think that it would be for me but once it started getting weirder I got immediately more interested. I loved the way that the fashion and places were described and found it really easy to visualise. The characters I didn't really root for but I don't think I was supposed to, so that's okay. I thought they were described well and it was clear what their motivations etc were.
I was not a fan of the ending though. I felt like it came out of nowhere and while I appreciate the message it attempted to send, I don't feel like it fit the story particularly well. I just wanted a little more of a buildup or an exploration of the elements leading to it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, every time I thought I knew where this was going to go, I was very wrong. Though a little weird and a slow start it definitely kept my interest until the very end.
This book follows Simone, a member of a mysterious ultra-rich society obsessed with fashion. Trends come and go and there is always a hunt for a new trend. Simone accidentally does commit a fashion atrocity and while asking a friend to make sure there are no pictures, the friend instead steals the idea and becomes a fashion icon. This causes Simone's world to go into chaos and with every decision he makes and an abundance of secrets about the world he lives in gets revealed.
This book was definitely a slow starter. I was really apprehensive about the way things were written and didn't think that it would be for me but once it started getting weirder I got immediately more interested. I loved the way that the fashion and places were described and found it really easy to visualise. The characters I didn't really root for but I don't think I was supposed to, so that's okay. I thought they were described well and it was clear what their motivations etc were.
I was not a fan of the ending though. I felt like it came out of nowhere and while I appreciate the message it attempted to send, I don't feel like it fit the story particularly well. I just wanted a little more of a buildup or an exploration of the elements leading to it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, every time I thought I knew where this was going to go, I was very wrong. Though a little weird and a slow start it definitely kept my interest until the very end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
All the Flowers Kneeling by Paul Tran
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
It's crucial to highlight that poetry is deeply personal, and without shared experiences or ways of thinking, it's unlikely that a person will relate to or take something from every poem in a collection.
This collection delves into a variety of topics, ranging from US imperialism to sexual violence. "Bioluminescent" and "Incantation" are two of my personal favourites. Tran's approach to these topics, particularly their phrasing and word choice, strikes me as extremely valuable.
My primary issue was that I didn't think the first two poems should have been at the start. They weren't the best, and I thought that beginning with something that really set the tone for the rest of the collection would have been better. While I'm assuming this is due to Tran's background, I also noticed that a lot of the wording was very scientific, which, although it works in some cases, made certain poems difficult to understand and alienated me as a reader.
Overall, the fact that there were a few poems that really spoke to me was what drew me to this collection. I think it's worth reading, but poetry is so personal that I can only hope that others value it as much as I do or that it resonates with them as much as it did with me.
This collection delves into a variety of topics, ranging from US imperialism to sexual violence. "Bioluminescent" and "Incantation" are two of my personal favourites. Tran's approach to these topics, particularly their phrasing and word choice, strikes me as extremely valuable.
My primary issue was that I didn't think the first two poems should have been at the start. They weren't the best, and I thought that beginning with something that really set the tone for the rest of the collection would have been better. While I'm assuming this is due to Tran's background, I also noticed that a lot of the wording was very scientific, which, although it works in some cases, made certain poems difficult to understand and alienated me as a reader.
Overall, the fact that there were a few poems that really spoke to me was what drew me to this collection. I think it's worth reading, but poetry is so personal that I can only hope that others value it as much as I do or that it resonates with them as much as it did with me.
Priest by Sierra Simone
challenging
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
This book HIT THE SPOT.
It follows Father Tyler Bell, a catholic priest who joined the church after a shocking event that rocked the community. He then meets Poppy, a young woman who had recently moved into the area and ends up in his confession booth. Tyler becomes increasingly enamoured with Poppy and the feeling appears to be very much mutual. But how is one supposed to compete with God?
I was really looking for something that had religious conflict, passion and guilt and honestly this hit every spot that I had. The characters themselves were brilliant, you really found yourself rooting for Tyler, and felt his conflict from the very beginning to the very end. Simone wrote his struggle very well and it was completely believable.
Now the sex was brilliant. There were several times that I actually had to put this down to have a breather because OMG it was hot. There was just enough of it, it wasn't repetitive and I liked that it was from Tyler's perspective. You don't often read books like this from the perspective of a man. Basically, Simone was aware of what they could write well and they WROTE IT WELL.
I think the only thing I didn't like was the little sections about Poppy. I felt we got a lot of her backstory through things she told Tyler and other events and it just didn't feel needed. Also, just a little appreciation for Millie because I love her.
Clearly, I would recommend this if this is your type of thing.
It follows Father Tyler Bell, a catholic priest who joined the church after a shocking event that rocked the community. He then meets Poppy, a young woman who had recently moved into the area and ends up in his confession booth. Tyler becomes increasingly enamoured with Poppy and the feeling appears to be very much mutual. But how is one supposed to compete with God?
I was really looking for something that had religious conflict, passion and guilt and honestly this hit every spot that I had. The characters themselves were brilliant, you really found yourself rooting for Tyler, and felt his conflict from the very beginning to the very end. Simone wrote his struggle very well and it was completely believable.
Now the sex was brilliant. There were several times that I actually had to put this down to have a breather because OMG it was hot. There was just enough of it, it wasn't repetitive and I liked that it was from Tyler's perspective. You don't often read books like this from the perspective of a man. Basically, Simone was aware of what they could write well and they WROTE IT WELL.
I think the only thing I didn't like was the little sections about Poppy. I felt we got a lot of her backstory through things she told Tyler and other events and it just didn't feel needed. Also, just a little appreciation for Millie because I love her.
Clearly, I would recommend this if this is your type of thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content