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jdgcreates's reviews
1504 reviews
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A moving and (rightly) horrifying portrait of American enslavement and the abolitionist movement as experienced by two women. It was well done and an important look at the historical figures of the Grimke sisters!
West with the Night by Beryl Markham
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I could not get into Markham's writing style. Loved the fictionalization of her life in Paula McClain's "Circling the Sun," though, so I would definitely recommend that!
A Darker Domain by Val McDermid
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
While I do like the deep character development of this series, I am OVER the excessive perspectives we're exposed to, as I want DI Pirie to be the focus. The mysteries were okay in this one, but having two that inevitably converge was less enthralling to me - my attention was too divided. I'll try book 3 soon and see if I want to continue on or find a new mystery series instead...
The Distant Echo by Val McDermid
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was disappointed that the first book in the DI Karen Pirie book barely featured her at all but it does give important background for future books. There were some surprises to be sure, and I was pretty engrossed, but at least 100 pages less and better writing would've made for an improvement. Same goes for the perspectives - too many!
Lake in the Clouds by Sara Donati
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I really enjoyed that we get to know Hannah and Lily more in this installment, and to see them both grow: Hannah as a doctor, and Lily as an artist. As usual, this book could've been at least 100 pages shorter and would've been better for it, but such is the pattern for this series (and for Outlander too). Plenty of heartbreak and adventure to be found, and also an epidemic that was stressful to read about during the COVID-19 pandemic! Again, I'm not sure why Donati keeps adding in random perspectives (i.e. Jed McGarrity at the end), when it only jars the reader and dilutes the story of the Bonners that we follow the rest of the book; I also hated Jemima Southern, so her parts were unpleasant but important for this story arc in particular. A bit uneven, but am engrossed by these characters!
The Short History of a Prince by Jane Hamilton
3.0
This is my favorite of hers so far. It's not as depressing as Map Of The World and not as narrow-minded as Disobedience. I appreciate Hamilton's ability to convincingly express the voice of the character through the entire book, even if I don't really care for the voice that comes through.