leoimj's reviews
18 reviews

The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden

dark 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? Yes

4.0

Took longer to grip me than the others in the series but one it starts going it GOES! McFadden can write a twist like a mother fucker and this book is no different, it shocked me the most out of the three. So good. Literally read most of it in one sitting because i just had to get to the end. 
It ties everything up really nicely Id be happy if this was the last Housemaids book, if there is a forth id want a 2.5 set before this one that explores what Enzo and Millie did while working with Benny. He's such a fun character and didn't get enough page time! Classic good cop in a bad system, grizzled and willing to bend the rules.

I genuinely didn't see the Ada twist coming at all! McFadden puts so much information in her books that it overwhelms you. it's needed because you know a twist is coming and when there's a bunch of factors your remembering it's harder to guess at what could happen accurately. But she pulls it all together in the the third act, even with the Housemaid-patented midway twist that completely changes the way. you view everything else so fair

also bringing back Cecelia was such a move! such a good callback and a great way to bring the series full circle

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Mort by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

4.5

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Nagata Kabi

dark informative slow-paced

4.0

it's very raw and honest she talks about stuff i couldn't imagine anyone admitting to. it's a very interesting book especially if your interested in mental health and sexuality 

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

dark funny 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? Yes

4.0

So good?? not really the type of book I go for but i absolutely tore through it. The main characters internal dialogue is so good, reminds me of katniss's in the hunger games weirdly? they have the same dry wit and observe people in a similar way. 

There are lots of twists down to the last page and they make you rethink everything you've read so far and put it all back in the right places. An interesting, intense read definitely recommend 

The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

4.5

Loved this! if you read the colour of magic and was put off but the hard to follow plot then don't give up on discworld! this book has all the charm, lovably characters and funny dialogue of the first but is much easier to understand. It also has a much better plot (eg: one that exists outside of stuff happening to the characters) and continues to build the wonderful world of the disc :)

Dead Girls by Selva Almada

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

the author has wonderful insights into the murderers she is writing about and supplements the stories with personal antidotes and her experiences from writing. you get a real understanding of the experiences of these women and how prevalent violence against women and feminicide is. This could have very easily been exploitive but it doesn't read that way, the other is reflective and well informed. the story isn't just about the victims but also herself and her own life growing up affected by the constant stories of dead girls. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Murder

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

immediately fell in love with the characters, i know Vimes is a discworld fan favourite and i can see why :)

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny 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? It's complicated

3.5

if this is your introduction to discworld i'm begging try a later book as well!!
it's very fun, the characters are super enjoyable (rincewind love you) but it's also difficult to follow. I know it's meant to be a satire of fantasy tropes but since i didn't grow up with content from the era it's satirising i'm mostly lost. didn't stop me from enjoying it and the world building tidbits are lots of fun of course
if could explain what happened when they were on a plane for a couple pages that would be grand
regardless i can't hate it for being confusing but it's so fun and charming

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.5