leevanescent's reviews
132 reviews

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

adventurous challenging funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This was such a good read, I finished the book in 2 sittings.
The ending wasn't as sudden & abrupt as the last book. Everything was executed beautifully. I liked the multiple pov thing happening, & I liked following on Citra & Rowan's adventures, even when they couldn't get 2 minutes between the chapters to breath.
Of course, there's parts I still think were a bit ??? Like

Rowan & Citra being so in love. I guess distance grow the heart founder?

oh, & that massacre gleaming at the end, when they wouldn't have even felt pain, so why bother killing everyone? But I guess we could say now they're 100% dead, not deadish & lost in the sea?

Anyway, I like Grayson

& his identity crisis, & the fact he ended up somehow joining a cult😭

hope book 3 be just as good🙏🏽

The Outsider by Stephen King

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

3.5

A very well written book (it's SK after all) but damn, was it LONG. I got lost in the book somewhere, & I kept going just to finish it. I think I'll watch the series, maybe that should clear stuff more.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A good quick read.
I think Drew need more character development, if so this could've been higher on my rating.

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.5

I didn't enjoy this book. I thought it was very, very slow. They kept talking and doing nothing it was frustrating!
Much of telling and not showing, I got so bored I almost dropped this 2 times.
I would give it the 2.5⭐️ cause at least, I did like some plot twists. Not all, but at least it was something.

Can't believe this was the last book in my reading goal💀

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.5

Good. Not as amazing as I thought it would be, but it's good.
Felt a bit too rushed, and the

down fall of the bad guy came in a flash and left me hanging

but the romance was cute.

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

I'm not a fan of the writing, but in all honesty I just got bored with the story.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

mysterious reflective 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? Yes

3.75

I can't decide between 3.5 & a 4 so I'm giving it a 3.75. Could've been a 4, but I got bored at some point & took a 2 months off before finishing it.

I liked it, I loved this twist at the end -confused as I was- & I liked the writing. Nella and Eliza's story was very interesting, I never wanted it to end.

Carolyn though...
It's not her fault her husband kept appearing in the book, but I could've done with less of them together. Can't believe girl let him

stay with her in the same room after that

anyway, he was an eyesore, the main reason I got bored with the book when I did.

The idea of the book is unique & refreshing, I would love to read more stories like this one.

How Old Holly Came to Be by Patrick Rothfuss

emotional fast-paced

3.0

Well, that was sad.

Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

4.0

What an emotional little story :')

This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.5

The book should've been called "Mercy McAlpine can't cache a break" cause damn, woman must've been a serial killer in her past life to end up with this.

Not bad read, though it did loop around for a bit. There was this feeling of "informative dumping" where I will be like: "woh, woh, wait what?".
& the ending wasn't THE cleanest. I guess that's realistic, but I wanted something MORE.

Anyway, a good(?) story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Incest, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault