jkaufman's reviews
48 reviews

Shark Summer by Ira Marcks

adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

This was quite cute and fun and I love the sprinkle of film knowledge from filming Jaws. Bunch of kiddos making a summer film and being kids and having fun 

Spirit Week by Ira Marcks

adventurous funny mysterious 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? Yes

3.5

3.5/5 stars. It was fun! The ending threw me a bit for a loop, but I still enjoyed it. Little spoof on The Shinning for kids, which is fun. Love anything film related, so I enjoyed it and liked the cartooning style too. Wish there was a little more horror or scare-factor, though understand it’s a kids GN 

Recursion by Blake Crouch

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.0

This story is a mindfuck I will say. Call it the Tenet of books. Though wouldn’t consider it a mystery/thriller, this is definitely a science-fiction book. It’s interesting will give you that, just confusing at times will all the time jumps, loops, and alternate lifetimes.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.0

Need to see this “crooked smile”, because DAMN it was described A LOT! Mr. Gus you must have one Cheshire Cat swoon worthy smile

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark 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? Yes

2.0

Will admit this one was a doozy- took me a few days and I was getting bored 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark mysterious fast-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? Yes

3.0

Lite fantasy with dark thematics. The magic system with Grisha is pretty interesting and well thought out, I will admit. I am a sucker for fantasy books with maps, sold! The conversations and plot are your typical YA, but if you’re looking for a fun magic system with decent world building that isn’t complicated, then this series is for you. Will read the rest because I’m trying to get out of a slump, and it’s an easy/quick read. 

Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff

adventurous dark 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? Yes

3.0

I’m gutted. Really enjoyed the first two books, but I couldn’t wait to be done with the third.. it was dragging. And I may be in the minority, but wasn’t a fan of the ending, just left me with “really that’s it”… 

Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman

funny lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

3.5

“Once More With Feeling” is a musical theater lovers wet dream, it’s fun, comical, Sondheim loving, theatre kid’s fantasia, lighthearted, and predictable- but that’s the point; it’s a story about redemption and second chances. 

I normally sway from romance novels, they aren’t usually my jam, however throw musical theatre into the mix… well you’ve got me interested. I haven’t read “Funny” yet, it’s on my list, but I will admit I throughly enjoyed Elissa Sussman’s “Once More With Feeling”. The characters are quite vibrant. Kathleen got on my nerves sometimes, but that was her whole personality, and makes sense with the events that happened. Loved Harriet and Cal! And the mention of the beloved and amazing Marie’s Crisis! 

While romance isn’t my typical genre, I really enjoyed it. However, in those odd moments when I do read a romance I’m pretty big on enemies to lovers- I know TYPICAL (sue me), but I also do like second chance romances, because YES I may be a sap at heart- shhs don’t tell my friends and family. 

Definitely would say if you need a lighthearted, fun, not too serious, yet consuming book this is the one for you! (Though serious on the consuming part, couldn’t put it down and got like 3 hours of sleep before work- bad time management on my part, but heck it was FUN!)


*** Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the early ebook ARC.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.5

Wow! Where to start with this book… Nevernight is a mix of The Red Room- Marvel, meets Dauntless- Divergent, meets GOT Faceless Men of Bravos, with more blood, revenge, sex, and fantastical elements; and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you were a fan of Arya Stark be prepared to fall in love with Mia Corvere. 

I will admit the first 50 pages or so made me want to rip my hair out, because I wasn’t used to the change in perspective/writing style, but I realized I wasn’t alone (hello Reddit fellows), however once Mia arrived at The Red Church it all clicked! Definitely stick it out if you are having trouble, it’s honestly a little bit of a learning curve at first, but it’s worth it. 

The aspect of the book that sold me, was the world building and attention to detail that Kristoff had when crafting the medieval city that is Godsgrave; it’s quite impeccable. One can automatically take note that his inspirations were driven from Italy, specifically Venice and Rome, but this fictional world is well crafted and researched- even if one can say that, as it’s not a real place- but it truly is a treat, and you’re fully emersed into the world that Mia was born. 

Ultimately, I had a really great time reading this book, and was fully swept into the whole story and the characters. Can’t wait to get my hands on the next two books in the series! Never flinch. Never fear. Never ever forget. 

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.0

All I will say is if I read Godsgrave when it first came out and had to wait till Darkdawn was released in 2019, I would be having major problems! (Probably should go to sleep, as I have work in the AM, but I don’t make wise choices, Darkdawn here I come) 

Review: It took me awhile to warm up to the second book- if I’m being honest, wasn’t until halfway that I really started to get into the book/storyline and the new characters. AND THEN the final quarter of the book- well I was hooked. THAT CLIFFHANGER THOUGH!