ladykatka's reviews
827 reviews

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

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? It's complicated

5.0

This book gave me strong House by the Cerulean Sea vibes and I approve since I love that book. I liked the cute romance and the cute children. Hopeful ending was sweet. Just an all around nice read.

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne

adventurous 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

4.0

This was a lovely book and I think I have now learned that I've been pronouncing gothel all wrong my entire life since I listened to the audio version. 

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

I don't even know how to rank this book. I ended up crying and sobbing all the way through because this is not a book to read. If you don't want to be reminded that your pet is going to die one day. So it just squeezed my heart and was so painful to read. But any book that can bring up that kind of emotion has to be a good one, right?

The only reason why this is a four star book instead of a five-star book is because of the weird section about the boat in the middle. It just kind of seemed out of place. I didn't really believe this book was magical realism because it seemed like any person with a pet who speaks to your pet and your mind, and this person is going through a hard time because of the reality that they're facing. Delusional mental break something like that maybe but magical realism nah. However, then we get to the boat scene and then you're like. This is almost a switch in genre so I have to take a star off. 

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

Read this for book club and had no expectations at all going in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each of the ladies was very lovable in their own way. I also appreciate that most of the men characters were also fine. Upstanding men, for novel set at this time in history that seems to be rare. So it was very refreshing to see some kindness and lovingness from these characters. 

Billy Buckhorn Abnormal by Gary Robinson

mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

Due to the Mian character being 16 it shows this book is meant for teens but the language and writing style is rudimentary so it is also for low level readers. 

I am not sure how many times the author could write Cherokee but it was so many times it was getting a little tedious. We get it, the characters are cheroky, don't beat us over the head with it. There was a lot of telling rather than showing at the end of the book to tie up loose ends but as a high interest low level book this is fine.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I listened to the audiobooks and I think that was a mistake because the kids came off very whiney and it was annoying to listen to them talk. It was nice to finally read the story that served as inspiration for so many others including Stephen King. 

The Silver Coin, Vol. 1 by Kelly Thompson, Michael Walsh, Chip Zdarsky, Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire

dark fast-paced

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

2.5

Like many others have said the stories are too short to have any kind of depth.

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

It's ok overall but there are definitely better books out there. For the first half of the book I was convinced this took place on a college campus due to all the alcohol, sex, and parties. During the party chapter I was concerned the soccer team was preying on high school girls when I realized they are high school boys. I was shook because I could have sworn this book took place at a dorm in university. But here we are.

Also, the story goes how you would expect it to. Bad idea blows up in his face. Not ground shattering stuff here. I like Heartstopper way better.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Mental illness, and Outing

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

The twists weren't super obvious but also not super surprising either if you lived through the popular era of heist movies that had twists and turns much like this. I figured the voice modulator meant that it was someone she knew already, but who? There were other hints too for anyone paying attention. I don't hate it and it was really easy to listen to. Also enjoyed that it was a low level criminal shacking up with another low level criminal, that's just wholesome fun right there.

Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail by Andrea Lankford

informative reflective sad slow-paced

3.5

Very interesting and made me want to research thru hiking more however it left me with a feeling of hopelessness since despite all the efforts a person goes through sometimes a person is still never found. 
Like another reviewer I also didn't like how much time was given to the psychic.