joyceheinen's reviews
187 reviews

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark emotional sad tense 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

5.0

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark emotional sad tense 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? No

5.0

Deciding to dedicate the month of April to rereading the entire “The Hunger Games” series, before diving into the newest book, is the best decision. I read it first in 2011, I believe, and I really loved it. But I have never read it since. And, from chapter one, I remember why I loved this series so much.

Panem is what used to be North America. It was divided into 13 District, with only 12 left. The Capitol is holding all the Districts under a strict regime and they make each District send one boy and one girl, between the ages of 12 and eighteen, to compete in the Hunger Games. A game, on live TV, that makes 24 youngster fight to death, until there is only one left. Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 and sees her sister Primrose being the chosen one for this year’s Hunger Games. But out of love for her young sister, 16-year-old Katniss volunteers to take her place to fight in the 74th annual Hunger Games.

I remember, when reading it the first time, Katniss won me over from the start. She is a strong character, easy to relate to and to root for. And I believe that she still is, for people reading it now for the first time.

The story deals with serious issues like political corruption, violence, survival, love and sacrifice. The world Suzanne Collins created is really dark, it feels like there is no hope whatsoever. The story is compelling, exciting, tense, dark and it’s really a book you can’t put down. It kept me reading for hours that first time and it did it again while rereading it.

I’m so happy that I reread it and that I will be immersed into this world for the entirety of April. It’s such a good series, and “The Hunger Games” is an amazing first in that series. 

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? No

5.0

 “Parable of the Sower” tells the story as the various crises that are now also taking place in 2025 have developed further. The climate crisis has led to environment where it almost never rains. Water is scarce. The economic crisis has increased the gap between rich and poor. Polarization has caused entire groups of people to be pitted against other people and you can no longer trust anyone again. The story starts in 2024, but was written in 1993. That blows my mind.
 
In this America that Octavia E. Butler wrote about, cannibalism is back. Drugs that numb cause the worst type of crimes. Lauren Olamina is our protagonist. She lives with her father, a preacher, in a walled community in the hope of being protected from her anarchy outside. Lauren is very sensitive, has hyperempathy, and picks up emotions and pain from other people. Lauren has developed her own ideology, the Earthseed. She believes in a God who is change. This belief develops over the course of the story and ensures that she can persevere.
 
“Parable of the Sower” is a very special book. Especially because of the world Butler is describing and the fact that it was written over 30 years ago. Lauren is a wonderful character, easy to empathize with. Lauren’s beliefs in change, which she shapes and develops through her thoughts, makes you realize that change is possible. That gives hope and courage. And each chapter starts with a piece of her journal: Earthseed, the book of the living.
 
The writing style is descriptive and compelling. More people should read this book to realize what kind of world we would create if we do nothing. Because it is reality, even though this book is categorized as science fiction. Sadly Octavia E. Butler passed away in 2006, but I will read everything on her backlist. 

The Last Town by Blake Crouch

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

 

“The Last Town” is the third and final book in the “Wayward Pines” series. And it’s different in tone. Where “Pines” and “Wayward” were more sci-fi, mystery, thriller, “The Last Town” has more horror elements to it. And it’s really good.
 
WARNING! IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE PREVIOUS TWO BOOKS OR ARE READING THEM RIGHT NOW, PLEASE BE AWARE THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!
 

In “The Last Town”, only a month has passed since Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke has arrived at Wayward Pines. He has finally confronted the residents of the town with the horrific truth that its creator David Pilcher has been hiding from them. But has Ethan done the right thing? After all, aren’t the residents much better of living in ignorance? But Pilcher has his own plan and confronts the residents with the horrific outside world. The result: a life and death struggle.
 
In the previous books the tension was mainly caused by the secrets in the town. Not knowing what was really going on. But in “The Last Town”, the story becomes significantly terrifying because of the monsters on the loose and bloody attacks. It’s very easy to see the story happening in your head while reading and that’s all due to Blake Crouch’s wonderful writing.
 
The main characters in the book are the same ones who played important roles in the other books. In the process we learn more about their pasts. What led Pilcher to create Wayward Pines. What secrets does Theresa carry with her? Beautiful in this is to see how each of the characters deals with the prevailing danger. The writing style is accessible with short chapters, cliffhangers and POV changes.
 

“The Last Town” is an exciting, terrifying and very worthy finale in the “Wayward Pines” trilogy. With a perfect score for all three books, this series became one of my favorite books series I’ve ever read.

 

Wayward by Blake Crouch

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

 Imagine living in a beautiful small village. The surroundings are breathtaking and the families who live there look perfect. Everyone has jobs and a beautiful house to live in. it sounds great, but as we all know, nothing is perfect. And Wayward Pines certainly isn’t.
 
“Wayward” is the sequel to “Pines”, in the “Wayward Pines” series. The first book ended with a cliffhanger that shook the entire story. The second book builds on this reveal we got and it works amazing.
 
WARNING! IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST BOOK OR ARE READING IT RIGHT NOW, PLEASE BE AWARE THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!
 

Ethan Burke has accepted the challenge and now works as the sheriff of Wayward Pines. Although he has little to do most days, he carries a big secret with him – the truth. And as soon as his wife Theresa reveals that she has doubts about Wayward Pines, Ethan is faced with a decision whether to inform her or not. In doing so, he plays a double role as sheriff. On the one hand, the wants to do something himself with what he knows. On the other hand, he must make sure that the residents of the town continue to behave themselves and, above all, do not find out the truth.
 
The sequel delves more into the history and origins of Wayward Pines. This ensures, that the cliffhanger the first book ended with becomes more believable. The reader gets more fo a handle on the explanation regarding the origins of Wayward Pines. In the process, the reader also learns more about Ethan Burke and his past before his arrival in Wayward Pines.
 
“Pines” was one of the best books I read in 2024, and I think “Wayward” will be in 2025. Its just as good as its predecessor and I immediately want to read the third book, since this one also ended with a cliffhanger.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Did not finish book. Stopped at 72%.

Only hundred pages left, but I just couldn't keep going. Such a good start, but now I was just bored...

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Many fans must have been disappointed with the fact that Richard Osmam didn’t release a new book in his popular series “The Thursday Murder Club”. But no worries, “We Solve Murders” is the first book in a new series, that follow a retired detective and his daughter-in-law solving crimes.
 
Steve is a widower and a retired detective, living a quiet life in the English country. He still does some investigative work, but more in the line of finding someone’s lost dog. His daughter-in-law Amy is working in the private security sector and is in for some excitement. When a murder occurs, and someone’s are also after her, Amy asks Steve for help. Taking him our of his trusted, quiet habitat.
 
Richard Osman is a fantastic author and his strength lies in the way he brings his characters to life. Steve and Amy are both amazing characters and especially loved their dynamic together. It’s fun to read from a father and daughter-in-law relationship.
 
I’ve never given any of his books a 5-star rating, mainly for the same reason. The books are always a bit slow and dragging in the middle. But all of his books, so far, have been winners and they are all super solid. And so is “We Solve Murders”. Even though I didn’t like it as much as “The Thursday Murder Club” series, I did really enjoy the mystery and especially the two main characters. And I am looking forward to reading more about Steve and Amy’s adventures together. 

Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show by Bethany Joy Lenz

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

I don’t read non-fiction a lot, especially not when it’s a memoir. I’m not particularly drawn to them, nor do they interest me for the most part. But “Dinner for Vampires” is different. I watched “One Tree Hill” when it aired in the early 2000s and my favorite character, from the start, was Haley James, played by Bethany Joy Lenz. I have followed Lenz on social media for years and I was not aware of what life she had outside her job as an actor, until she wrote this book.
 
In “Dinner for Vampires” Lenz talks about her life, how she started as and actor. But also about her life outside that and that she was part of a cult. Because of her lack of belonging when she moved away from her home to become and actress, she joined a Bible study group. There Lenz felt like people understood her and she didn’t feel so alone anymore. While being part of the group, she landed her breakthrough role on “One Tree Hill”. No one ever knew she was on a cult, even though there were several people that had suspicions or at least found her Bible group family a bit strange.
 
Lenz is very openhearted in her memoir. She is open, has wit, uses humor in her storytelling as well, even though it being a heartbreaking story at times. I’m not religious, I don’t feel a connection with any religion. In fact, religion kind of scares me. And this book shows exactly how scary things could get. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that everyone practicing any religion is automatically in a cult. I respect everyone’s believes and would never judge anyone for believing in a higher power. But, religion can be dangerous if people use it to gain from it or to manipulate other people. And that’s what Lenz had to endure. Het faith was very important to her and people took advantage of that. Making her doubt herself, she had lack of self-worth and Lenz sacrificed a lot for her religion.
 
If you decide to read this, I would highly really recommend the audiobook. It’s narrated by Bethany Joy Lenz herself, with some guest appearances from a few of her “One Tree Hill” co-stars. It being read aloud by the author herself makes this story hit even more. There is one moment in the end where her co-star Paul Johansson says some kind words to her and that really made me cry. Just like that moment that followed. She tells a beautiful, heartbreaking story and I’m very happy I read it. 

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
Did not finish book. Stopped at 71%.

I felt so bored

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

“We Used to Live Here” was all over Booktube in 2024. This debut novel by Marcus Kliewer ended up on many readers’ favorite lists. I already had it on my TBR and it was time for me to finally read it as well. And it really met my expectations.
 
We meet Eve, who lives together with her girlfriend Charlie. They just bought a new house. One day, when Eve is home alone, a family stands before her door. The father tells Eve he used to live in the house and he wonders if he could show his family around. After much hesitation, Eve lets them in. But strange things start to happen and for some reason the family doesn’t leave.
 
By reading the premise, you can already have many theories of what will happen. But you can throw them all inthe bin, because you will never guess where this story is headed. This book constantly keeps you guessing. It’s mysterious, creepy, scary, unpredictable and very original.
 
In the end, you still don’t really know what happened. It’s ambiguous. It leaves you guessing. And I do love an open ending where there is much room for your own interpretation. But there were some questions I did want answers to.
 
The story is told from the perspective of Eve. And in between you get these chapters that share certain information. At first, they seem like random pieces of information, no idea why they are shared. But eventually these pieces fall into place. And at the end of these chapters, there is a word in morse code. If you decipher these words, you get a sentence that will give you a very important hint.
 
I can’t believe this is a debut novel. Marcus Kliewer wrote a very well-crafter horror story, that is very original and clever, and it really haunted and scared me. This book gives you a lot of food for thought, because a lot has not been explained. Perfect book for a book club discussion. I really loved “We Used to Live Here” and I hope Kliewer will write more books in the future. Because he’s a talented author to look out for.