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jmboff's reviews
114 reviews
The Library of Legends by Janie Chang
3.0
When I read the synopsis of this book I was enthralled! Some fantasy aspects, some history, some romance. Sign. Me. Up!
However, it fell FLAT. The writing was monotonous and repetitive, especially for the first 250 pages. I felt like I was reading the same thing every chapter. The character development fell flat for me and I was not invested in the characters or their journeys. Every time I thought I was starting to get invested, the narrative went right back to being monotonous and repetitive. If the author would have had less irrelevant characters and focused this attention into the main characters development, it could've been better. I feel like there were too many very minor characters.
On the aspect of fantasy, it was hardly even there. Every, maybe, 10 chapters, there would be a fleeting paragraph about the Legends. The most I feel like I know about the library of legends is that they're books. There wasn't any insight into the legends, into the books, or into the stories. Which, whatever, if this wasn't literally the name of the book.
If the rest of this book was like the last 50 pages, I would've maybe enjoyed it more. Even though the ending felt rushed to be wrapped up, even though there wasn't much to wrap up anyways. Overall, this was a chore to read and finish, and while the cover is gorgeous and the premise was promising, this was a big let down for me.
I'm thinking this is a 2.5⭐, rounded up to 3.
However, it fell FLAT. The writing was monotonous and repetitive, especially for the first 250 pages. I felt like I was reading the same thing every chapter. The character development fell flat for me and I was not invested in the characters or their journeys. Every time I thought I was starting to get invested, the narrative went right back to being monotonous and repetitive. If the author would have had less irrelevant characters and focused this attention into the main characters development, it could've been better. I feel like there were too many very minor characters.
On the aspect of fantasy, it was hardly even there. Every, maybe, 10 chapters, there would be a fleeting paragraph about the Legends. The most I feel like I know about the library of legends is that they're books. There wasn't any insight into the legends, into the books, or into the stories. Which, whatever, if this wasn't literally the name of the book.
If the rest of this book was like the last 50 pages, I would've maybe enjoyed it more. Even though the ending felt rushed to be wrapped up, even though there wasn't much to wrap up anyways. Overall, this was a chore to read and finish, and while the cover is gorgeous and the premise was promising, this was a big let down for me.
I'm thinking this is a 2.5⭐, rounded up to 3.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
5.0
Riley Sager does it again. The writing and premise sucks you in, trying to figure out along with Maggie if her father was being honest or not in his accounts of Baneberry. I loved the alternating chapters between present day in Maggie's perspective and chapters from the Book, and how the two comparisons paralleled so perfectly.
Just when you think you have an understanding of what's going on and you have it all figured out, boom. Think again. Even the ending, I was shook. Finally had answers. Then. NOPE. Twists and turns galore that I didn't see coming, except for one little*sweet* aspect. Loved this one!!
Just when you think you have an understanding of what's going on and you have it all figured out, boom. Think again. Even the ending, I was shook. Finally had answers. Then. NOPE. Twists and turns galore that I didn't see coming, except for one little*sweet* aspect. Loved this one!!
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5.0
A who-dunnit, coming of age story that teaches you about life, independence, and the need for human connection.
I absolutely loved how Delia Owens wrote this. The descriptive writing, you can literally picture every scene so vividly and clearly; she paints with her writing. I LOVE how the dialect was conveyed in the writing. I felt like I was in North Carolina listening to the characters speak. Each character definitely had a distinct voice.
Kya had so many levels of development throughout her life and journey in the marsh. Learning about life, love, trust, compassion, nature, and the inverse of all of these. This was an emotional, heart-string-pulling story that I was INVESTED in the whole time. Your heart will be wrecked for Kya.
And the ending I did not even expect.
I absolutely loved how Delia Owens wrote this. The descriptive writing, you can literally picture every scene so vividly and clearly; she paints with her writing. I LOVE how the dialect was conveyed in the writing. I felt like I was in North Carolina listening to the characters speak. Each character definitely had a distinct voice.
Kya had so many levels of development throughout her life and journey in the marsh. Learning about life, love, trust, compassion, nature, and the inverse of all of these. This was an emotional, heart-string-pulling story that I was INVESTED in the whole time. Your heart will be wrecked for Kya.
And the ending I did not even expect.
Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
4.0
I listened to this on audiobook and honestly feel like it may have gotten 5 stars if I actually physically read it
However this had a LOT of twists and turns, especially at the end. The beginning and ending drew me in and captivated me, but the middle was kind of mundane at times. Definitely a fantastic read/listen overall though! Very suspenseful, twisty, and messed up in all the right ways!
However this had a LOT of twists and turns, especially at the end. The beginning and ending drew me in and captivated me, but the middle was kind of mundane at times. Definitely a fantastic read/listen overall though! Very suspenseful, twisty, and messed up in all the right ways!
A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight
4.0
4.5 stars! This was a read filled with drama and mystery and had me suspecting everyone of everything. I didn't know who to trust and the people I thought I could trust I guess I couldn't! Definitely a few twists I didn't anticipate at all. I also enjoyed how everything was connected in one way or another.
The Beauty in Breaking: A Memoir by Michele Harper
5.0
I absolutely adored this memoir. If you're a healthcare provider I would highly suggest this.
An Anonymous Girl by Sarah Pekkanen, Greer Hendricks
4.0
This was a messed up, psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat Wondering what was going on in everyone's heads. This really shows you how manipulation can be so detrimental to a person.
Watching You by Lisa Jewell
3.0
Between a 2 and 3, so I'll leave it at a 3 for now but I really could've gone without ever reading this and that disappoints me.
First, there are a lot of main characters, and I felt no attachment to any of them. I HATED Joey. She's not likeable at all and I hope I wasn't supposed to ever empathize with her because I absolutely never did. Jenna and Freddie were the only characters I *maybe* gave an inkling of caring towards.
Second, the plot was uneventful and bland. We read about teenagers going to school, and people going about their days with their minimal issues. Jenna's mom has some type of schizophrenia which makes her character mildly intriguing but it never amounts to anything significant in the plot. I figured out pretty early on that Rebecca was going to be the culprit. It was easy to decipher that from the way her character was portrayed from the getgo. And the other "twists" at the ending (because that was the only time anything even remotely twisty or exciting happened) was not thrilling or shocking or surprising whatsoever.
I mean, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, but I could have definitely been okay if I never read it either.
First, there are a lot of main characters, and I felt no attachment to any of them. I HATED Joey. She's not likeable at all and I hope I wasn't supposed to ever empathize with her because I absolutely never did. Jenna and Freddie were the only characters I *maybe* gave an inkling of caring towards.
Second, the plot was uneventful and bland. We read about teenagers going to school, and people going about their days with their minimal issues. Jenna's mom has some type of schizophrenia which makes her character mildly intriguing but it never amounts to anything significant in the plot. I figured out pretty early on that Rebecca was going to be the culprit. It was easy to decipher that from the way her character was portrayed from the getgo. And the other "twists" at the ending (because that was the only time anything even remotely twisty or exciting happened) was not thrilling or shocking or surprising whatsoever.
I mean, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, but I could have definitely been okay if I never read it either.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
4.0
Listened to this as an audiobook. This was a cute, fun, quirky story about discovering yourself and who you truly are. I really enjoyed it and the way it was written, in large the format being a lot of written letters/emails, etc between characters. I do wish we had more of a closure as to what happened to everyone in the end more than just what the proposed plans were for the end, but it's also nice to be left open for interpretation.