ivories's reviews
203 reviews

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I feel like nothing happened to push the story forward. I didn't get the connection between the two main characters that would cause them to harbour feelings for years and ruin lives. 
I would've loved more details about Natalia mother suicide as it was used to explain her bad choices. 

Why bring up the story line with Aubrey & the military guy if there was not closing or follow through. 

Recursion by Blake Crouch

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

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

3.5

I wanted to DNF after 70%. The plot was lost and became convoluted and I got lost in what was going on. An okay read via audio. I don't understand how the two main characters were shipped together so fast without more back story of why they were in love after 3 months. 

I enjoyed dark matter better if I had to compared.

Perfect Peace by Daniel Black

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

I have mixed feelings. At times the dialogue was repetitive. I did enjoy how each of the Peace members were captured although I would loved to unpack more with Paul's life. 

The Attic Child by Lola Jaye

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

I read this book in 1.5 days. It's a a perfect novel that is well written and researched.  Would recommend.

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

I spent a little over an hour listening to the audiobook and I just didn't care about the story.

The Minders by John Marrs

emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I feel like this is not a good book and has to be the worst one that Maars has written. Nothing happens that was interesting. I thought the plot was interesting but the character and content was lacking.  If you like you can read "the passagers" and "the one" first to understand some of the reference but overall not his best writing. 2 Stars for be finishing the novel and short chapters.

The Echo Man by Sam Holland

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Read like an episode of criminal minds. I wasn't impressed. Very predictable. 

The Family Experiment by John Marrs

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Once you get past the endless addition of character the book is just okay. Marrs does a good job sheading light on the negative impacts of AI technology and he loves exposing secrets. The middle of the book I was bored. I found myself wanting to DNF. The ending is wrapped up in a perfect bow. I did enjoy the reference to his other novels "the passengers' "the marriage act" 'the one". I recommend reading those first to catch the easter eggs.

The Marriage Act by John Marrs

dark mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

At times  the many POVs was confusing but this is a solid read and concept.  The ending fell flat and reason it lost a star rating. Recommend reading 'the one ' and "the passengers' novels before reading to understand the easter eggs.

Tampa by Alissa Nutting
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.

Just couldn't stomach the premise.