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katieb94's reviews
653 reviews
Doctor Who Archives: The Tenth Doctor Vol. 2 by John Reppion, Tony Lee, Leah Moore
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Three Small Bones by Jennifer Chase
dark
informative
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? No
4.0
I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but I also feel you don’t need to, as Detective Katie Scott is a well established character from the start. There’s a little bit of backstory but just to give you some background and that’s all that is needed.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the need for the killer to try and wipeout everyone connected to the case, it seemed a bit needless to have all the death.
The case and the cold case were interesting, especially when it was worked out they were linked. Unfortunately the killer was exactly who I thought it would be because although they try and move away from it, it was obvious.
However, it was a really enjoyable story. It’s clear that the forensics and dog-training side of the story are well researched, I ended up getting lost in the story as I really wanted to know who the killer was! I wanted to see if I’d got it right or not.
Katie is a great detective, she’s great friends with her colleagues and everyone felt like a family. It was nice to read them bonding between the grittiness of the crime.
4/5 stars
I would recommend.
I’m tempted to go back and read the others now
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the need for the killer to try and wipeout everyone connected to the case, it seemed a bit needless to have all the death.
The case and the cold case were interesting, especially when it was worked out they were linked. Unfortunately the killer was exactly who I thought it would be because although they try and move away from it, it was obvious.
However, it was a really enjoyable story. It’s clear that the forensics and dog-training side of the story are well researched, I ended up getting lost in the story as I really wanted to know who the killer was! I wanted to see if I’d got it right or not.
Katie is a great detective, she’s great friends with her colleagues and everyone felt like a family. It was nice to read them bonding between the grittiness of the crime.
4/5 stars
I would recommend.
I’m tempted to go back and read the others now
Doctor Who Archives: The Tenth Doctor Vol. 1 by Tony Lee, Gary Russell
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
In Search Of Us by Ava Dellaira
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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 did enjoy this book but the only reason I’m giving it three starts is because it had a slow start and sometimes the flashbacks didn’t really link up to the current time line. However, it is a good book and does look at some quite relevant issues.
We follow Angie, a young African American girl on a journey to find her father. It takes her to LA where her mother used to live and everything starts to fall into place. She learns the tragic truth, and it changes everything.
Especially as her mother is a white woman.
I knew that her dad was dead going into the book because you’re told pretty early on, but how he died was a mystery and I didn’t predict it which made it extremely shocking.
Police brutality is still a very current thing and it made it awful.
I do feel like Marilyn could have told Angie the truth sooner but as she blamed herself I can see why she didn’t but I don’t think Angie should have shamed her for something which hurt her so much to talk about.
Overall this book is a lovely story about family and how important they are, as well as about self discovery. It’s a good read.
3/5 stars.
We follow Angie, a young African American girl on a journey to find her father. It takes her to LA where her mother used to live and everything starts to fall into place. She learns the tragic truth, and it changes everything.
Especially as her mother is a white woman.
I knew that her dad was dead going into the book because you’re told pretty early on, but how he died was a mystery and I didn’t predict it which made it extremely shocking.
Police brutality is still a very current thing and it made it awful.
I do feel like Marilyn could have told Angie the truth sooner but as she blamed herself I can see why she didn’t but I don’t think Angie should have shamed her for something which hurt her so much to talk about.
Overall this book is a lovely story about family and how important they are, as well as about self discovery. It’s a good read.
3/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Police brutality
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual content and Drug use
Black Canary (2015-2016) Vol. 2: New Killer Star by Matthew Rosenberg, Brenden Fletcher
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
Black Canary, Volume 1: Kicking and Screaming by Brenden Fletcher
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I almost DNFed this book- almost. The first 100 pages were really hard to read, both with how it’s written and the characters personality.
But it picked up as soon as they opened their bookshop- all I needed was books to get me more hooked into the story.
Our two main characters are Reyna, a palace guard, and Kianth, a mage (we’re told this in every other sentence that describes her) who are badass lesbians, escaping their roles and running away to open a bookshop and serve tea. It’s cute and they do make a good couple, but obviously things all crash around them. The drama added to the story but I also felt that things seemed to happen just to cause trouble.
That being said, both characters end up needing medical assistance and the other then frets and worries.
At one point I was wondering why?
They don’t listen to each other so it seemed a fight was on the horizon and then although it never happened it just felt like the author was putting the couple in danger just for the sake of it.
Overall though, the story is good and the ending wasn’t what I expected. I liked the prequel story at the end which adds to their relationship and you realise where they started.
I don’t think I’ll be reading the sequel though.
3/5 stars.
I almost DNFed this book- almost. The first 100 pages were really hard to read, both with how it’s written and the characters personality.
But it picked up as soon as they opened their bookshop- all I needed was books to get me more hooked into the story.
Our two main characters are Reyna, a palace guard, and Kianth, a mage (we’re told this in every other sentence that describes her) who are badass lesbians, escaping their roles and running away to open a bookshop and serve tea. It’s cute and they do make a good couple, but obviously things all crash around them. The drama added to the story but I also felt that things seemed to happen just to cause trouble.
That being said, both characters end up needing medical assistance and the other then frets and worries.
At one point I was wondering why?
They don’t listen to each other so it seemed a fight was on the horizon and then although it never happened it just felt like the author was putting the couple in danger just for the sake of it.
Overall though, the story is good and the ending wasn’t what I expected. I liked the prequel story at the end which adds to their relationship and you realise where they started.
I don’t think I’ll be reading the sequel though.
3/5 stars.
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m very fussy when it comes to fantasy and this was on I actually enjoyed. The only fantastical element of it was the soothsayers and although a main part of the plot it wasn’t thrown in your face.
We follow Hesina who becomes Queen of a kingdom called Yan after her father dies- or murdered, as she thinks. She wants to find the truth, even if it means going against the people she is supposed to protect.
There’s some great world building and I may have had to look up whether the setting was an actual region of China and although it isn’t, it felt real.
The characters also feel very well rounded and although I found Hesina really irritating in places, I could understand why she was acting the way that she was.
It’s a good fantasy, encompassing Chinese lore as well as family drama, to make the reader really feel for the characters.
Beautifully written.
4/5 stars
I’d recommend
We follow Hesina who becomes Queen of a kingdom called Yan after her father dies- or murdered, as she thinks. She wants to find the truth, even if it means going against the people she is supposed to protect.
There’s some great world building and I may have had to look up whether the setting was an actual region of China and although it isn’t, it felt real.
The characters also feel very well rounded and although I found Hesina really irritating in places, I could understand why she was acting the way that she was.
It’s a good fantasy, encompassing Chinese lore as well as family drama, to make the reader really feel for the characters.
Beautifully written.
4/5 stars
I’d recommend
Ariel and the Curse of the Sea Witches (Disney Princess) by RH Disney
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Marie of the Cabin Club by Arnold Petri, Ann Petry
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Short and sweet! I could understand the emotions of the protagonist but felt it could have been longer