jadahreads's reviews
49 reviews

Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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? Yes

2.5

“One day, a cataclysmic event occurs: all the white people in America walk into the nearest body of water.” This was what drew me to read this book. I liked the unique premise but found one of the main characters to be rather insufferable for a majority of the novel and I was underwhelmed/slightly confused by the ending. 

I’ll provide a thorough reflection @whatchaareading on instagram.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

You’ll enjoy this book if you like stories about drifting con artists. It really reminds me of a series called Imposters with the same kind of plot: a con artist who works in a larger group of cons with a mysterious boss at the front. 

The only thing that was slightly disappointing is the low stakes of the “big reveal”. For my taste it was a bit underwhelming but this book kept me interested the entire way.

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

What a fun and interesting read. I enjoy movies and books on cons and heists so two women who run a counterfeiting business struck my interest. The book gave a nice insight into that world with a lighthearted tone. The ending and epilogue felt a bit rushed and a departure from the overall flow/pacing.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

emotional lighthearted relaxing slow-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

3.5

All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

dark reflective tense medium-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

3.5

I almost threw the book at the end. The narrator is neck and neck for most painfully annoying character with the narrator of The Secret History. Lies, steals, double downs, gaslights, and repeats. Still an amazing book that kept me hooked until the end. 

Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Great pacing, great plot, and even though I never knew what to expect turning the page, I was happy with the ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“,“Two things everybody's got tuh to do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves” -Janie 

Indeed Janie, indeed. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny and Racial slurs

An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Kidnapping

Scenes from My Life: A Memoir by Jon Sternfeld, Michael K. Williams

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Michael K Williams’ is a pure soul who left Earth too soon. His memoir is so profound and bittersweet. Wish he was still here to share his wisdom, art, love, and kindness with the world. 😢

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Death, and Drug use

Minor: Homophobia