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leandrathetbrzero's reviews
159 reviews
The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
FLAMING FEATHERS!! Perfect for fans of Land Before Time and Jurassic Park!
When Eleri is exiled to the Deadlands for treason, all expect him to perish quickly. In fact, one mysterious dinosaur calling themself Shadow pays a Wind Whisperer to be sure it happens. Out aspiring storyteller not only survives, however. He finds a family where he least suspected it, creating his own herd with other dinosaurs who were rejected by their kind for one reason or another. The band of exiled youths also stumble upon a discovery that places everyone's survival in their claws...
It took me a few chapters to fully get used to this narrative following dinosaurs as main characters, especially one so complex with its history, politics, culture, and legends. Once I felt familiar with each main character, however, I absolutely loved their dynamic. The conversations among the group of exiles were handsdown my favorite, from the snarky comments to those made with empathetic understanding and mutual vulnerability. This very much reads as Land Before Time slightly aged up to the younger teen age range, and that is a compliment of the highest order!
I can easily see middlegrade lovers of all things dinosaurs, fantasy/science fiction, and adventure. And I will be recommending the library where I work to buy this series for our collection if we do not already have it.
When Eleri is exiled to the Deadlands for treason, all expect him to perish quickly. In fact, one mysterious dinosaur calling themself Shadow pays a Wind Whisperer to be sure it happens. Out aspiring storyteller not only survives, however. He finds a family where he least suspected it, creating his own herd with other dinosaurs who were rejected by their kind for one reason or another. The band of exiled youths also stumble upon a discovery that places everyone's survival in their claws...
It took me a few chapters to fully get used to this narrative following dinosaurs as main characters, especially one so complex with its history, politics, culture, and legends. Once I felt familiar with each main character, however, I absolutely loved their dynamic. The conversations among the group of exiles were handsdown my favorite, from the snarky comments to those made with empathetic understanding and mutual vulnerability. This very much reads as Land Before Time slightly aged up to the younger teen age range, and that is a compliment of the highest order!
I can easily see middlegrade lovers of all things dinosaurs, fantasy/science fiction, and adventure. And I will be recommending the library where I work to buy this series for our collection if we do not already have it.
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Barbarian's Heart by Ruby Dixon
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Barbarian's Taming by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spy x Family, Vol. 5 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Spy x Family, Vol. 4 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I listened to this as an audiobook, and I think the author brings up some important topical issues including substance abuse, grooming, sexual assault and consent. This is the first book I've read discussing grooming and praying on children in a "legal" way, and I really appreciated how the author addressed it. One of the final twists at the end did feel too convenient, especially because - by that time - I had completely forgotten about a specific plot thread started at the beginning of the book and never returned to until the ending.
I would try this author again for sure though!
I would try this author again for sure though!
Death Comes to Marlow: A Novel by Robert Thorogood
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I know that I am biased when it comes to Robert Thorogood's writing because I love the TV series, Death in Paradise. As I have watched and rewatched that series too many times, seeing it as a comfort watch at this point, I think that has translated to his published works as well. From his Death in Paradise novelizations (of which I have only read 1 but thoroughly enjoyed it) to his newest project, The Marlow Murder Club.
I find the mysteries to be intricate and very "Thorogood," with everything explained by the end. While I often guess the endings, I never get everything right and I attribute my correct guesses to being so familiar with the author's go-to narrative plotting. I also love the dynamic between the three women sleuths. Each are so different with varying personal issues and pasts, but they all seemed to be lonely and in need of friendship when they found each other, which I find very sweet. I've preordered book 3 because I find the series a nostalgic, cozy blanket at this point.
Better - in my opinion - than The Thursday Murder Club!
I find the mysteries to be intricate and very "Thorogood," with everything explained by the end. While I often guess the endings, I never get everything right and I attribute my correct guesses to being so familiar with the author's go-to narrative plotting. I also love the dynamic between the three women sleuths. Each are so different with varying personal issues and pasts, but they all seemed to be lonely and in need of friendship when they found each other, which I find very sweet. I've preordered book 3 because I find the series a nostalgic, cozy blanket at this point.
Better - in my opinion - than The Thursday Murder Club!
The Right Murder by Craig Rice
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
I'm just a sucker for Craig Rice's classic mysteries. She gives her characters a chaotic energy that keeps me entertained by the shenanigans while still invested in the mystery at hand. I continue to love the friendship between John J Malone and the dysfunctional romantic couple, Helene Brand and Jake Justis. It shined through in this one probably the most compared to the earlier books.
This book is part of the greater John J Malone series, but it also exists in a little duology as a continuation of the mystery played out in The Wrong Murder which precedes this novel. I am sure Rice's high-energy, wild ride mysteries are not for all who love American Golden Age mysteries, but she has yet to disappoint me.
This book is part of the greater John J Malone series, but it also exists in a little duology as a continuation of the mystery played out in The Wrong Murder which precedes this novel. I am sure Rice's high-energy, wild ride mysteries are not for all who love American Golden Age mysteries, but she has yet to disappoint me.
Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
*BOOK RATING CATCH UP #20/54 😳*
I read the second installment in this series first, Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld, and I enjoyed it so much that I immediately went back to read book 1. The dynamic between Miss Caroline Thornton and Mrs. Frogerton is just so enjoyable, as both women understand what it is like to be ostracized or snubbed by societal for being "unconventional women." Even though Caroline is her Lady's Companion, Mrs. Frogerton treats her with well-deserved respect. I love that the two women are so different personality-wise, yet their both have sharp minds for solving crimes.
I liked this book more than book 2 mainly because it holds so many elements I always love to see in my mysteries:
1. Country estate setting
2. Terrible storm keeping the suspects all under one roof
3. A romantic subplot
4. Multiple deaths and multiple crimes/mysteries to be solved
Highly recommended for those who enjoy cozy historical mysteries set during the Regency era with strong feminist characters.
I read the second installment in this series first, Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld, and I enjoyed it so much that I immediately went back to read book 1. The dynamic between Miss Caroline Thornton and Mrs. Frogerton is just so enjoyable, as both women understand what it is like to be ostracized or snubbed by societal for being "unconventional women." Even though Caroline is her Lady's Companion, Mrs. Frogerton treats her with well-deserved respect. I love that the two women are so different personality-wise, yet their both have sharp minds for solving crimes.
I liked this book more than book 2 mainly because it holds so many elements I always love to see in my mysteries:
1. Country estate setting
2. Terrible storm keeping the suspects all under one roof
3. A romantic subplot
4. Multiple deaths and multiple crimes/mysteries to be solved
Highly recommended for those who enjoy cozy historical mysteries set during the Regency era with strong feminist characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Trafficking
The Boomerang Clue by Agatha Christie
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
*BOOK RATING CATCH UP #19/54 😳*
This is the first book that I listened to exclusively with audio, although I do own the book physically. It was an interesting experience to see if I would still enjoy Christie's writing in audiobook format. This book has confirmed for me that I am a huge fan of Christie's canon of younger sleuths. Yes, I'll take a Poirot or Marple any time, but the books that I have the most FUN with--the books that make me laugh and get caught up in the excitement in--are those with her young protagonists: The Secret Adversary, Partners in Crime, The Man in the Brown Suit, and now The Boomerang Clue (aka Why Didn't They Ask Evans?).
To whom would I recommend this book?
Those who love:
✓ Young, bold amateur sleuths
✓ Adventure plot mixed with light humor
✓ Christie's Tommy & Tuppence books/The Man in the Brown Suit
This is the first book that I listened to exclusively with audio, although I do own the book physically. It was an interesting experience to see if I would still enjoy Christie's writing in audiobook format. This book has confirmed for me that I am a huge fan of Christie's canon of younger sleuths. Yes, I'll take a Poirot or Marple any time, but the books that I have the most FUN with--the books that make me laugh and get caught up in the excitement in--are those with her young protagonists: The Secret Adversary, Partners in Crime, The Man in the Brown Suit, and now The Boomerang Clue (aka Why Didn't They Ask Evans?).
To whom would I recommend this book?
Those who love:
✓ Young, bold amateur sleuths
✓ Adventure plot mixed with light humor
✓ Christie's Tommy & Tuppence books/The Man in the Brown Suit