ladyk23's reviews
483 reviews

The Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

I stumbled upon this book because I saw that one of its narrators was Outlander actor Steven Cree, and I have to say a massive thank you to him for picking this project because my god what a story. I shouldn’t really read books about “witches” because they make me very emotional and angry that these ordinary women going about their day were treated so abominably by their peers, ministers etc just because they had something about them, whether it be a knowledge of healing/herbs etc, disfigurement of some kind (as is the case in this story), or simply the confidence to speak out about injustice. As a woman who will most likely end up with dementia (both of my parents have it) the addition of the “witch” being condemned because she could no longer remember the Lord’s Prayer is heartbreaking to me. This is a beautiful but utterly devastating book. Please read it. It’s important. 

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

Henry VIII: King and Court by Alison Weir

emotional funny informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

I’ve said it was slow paced but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and more just the nature of re-telling history. It was a fascinating read and definitely held some surprises along the way. Interested in reading more by this author. 

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

If, like me, you read this book after Casey McQuiston’s more recent works, you will probably also think, as I did, that this feels like an early work from that author. It has all their later hallmarks, but the writing isn’t as good as their later novels. And that’s absolutely not a bad thing. It shows growth in their work. This was a perfectly nice book, with interesting characters, it just didn’t appeal to me as much as say, The Pairing did. It’s also very PG compared to that book. But it’s got loveable characters and a fun story and I very much enjoyed reading it. 

My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand

adventurous funny 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

4.0

Taking off one point because the audiobook narrator was too shouty! If I’d read this physically I probably would’ve given it 5 stars. 

Choice by Jodi Picoult

informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Firstly, I wish this were a full story and I hope Jodi will write a longer fleshed out version of this at some point because I was just getting into it when it was all over. Secondly, I really wish this story would reach the ears of the men who need to hear it. The men who make decisions about women’s bodies. But sadly, I would doubt very much that it will. Regardless, I will do what the authors note asks and will share this within my circle. It’s a brilliant idea, and very well executed. 

The Fourth Man by Agatha Christie

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon

mysterious 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 knew this story was about Joan but I had no idea it also included The Comte and Master Raymond. I’ve read a few of the stories from the Seven Stones collection and I have to say this is one of the strangest. Unless there is a Master Raymond story in the works I really can’t see the point of it, or how it fits into the overall Outlander world. Tenuously yes, but not in any way that matters. Read it if you’re done with the rest of the big books and short stories but just know that it’s a bit pointless. 

The Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie

dark informative mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was the reading equivalent of watching The Great British Bake off or Masterchef, it made me want to eat everything they ate, drink everything they drank, and experience all of the places they go to. I’m lucky enough to have been to some of the places on Kit and Theo’s tour, but man I want to go back to them and experience them with new eyes. This book is beautiful, breathtaking, and rich with detail. I liked Red, White and Royal Blue but this book has made me a Casey McQuiston fan. I will read everything they have written. It’s happy, sad, reflective on two lives formerly intertwined, and it makes you so hopeful that these two kids can work it all out. I’m so glad I went on this tour with them.