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loiereads's reviews
208 reviews
Monsters by Emerald Fennell
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Coming from the director of Saltburn, I was expecting this book to be a lot more creepy and disturbing than it actually was. Don’t get met wrong, there were moments in this book that made me quite uncomfortable, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I was expecting.
It was a compelling read, and had me hooked. I flew through the first half of the book, but slowed down a little in the second half. I was expecting a slightly bigger plot twist as well, but the ending was pretty predictable.
It definitely seems as though it’s been set up for a second book, and I would be super interested to see what happens next if there ever was a second instalment.
However, I’m only going to give this book a 3 stars, as I was expecting a little more from it.
Idk, I’m feeling a little picky this year 🤷🏻♀️
It was a compelling read, and had me hooked. I flew through the first half of the book, but slowed down a little in the second half. I was expecting a slightly bigger plot twist as well, but the ending was pretty predictable.
It definitely seems as though it’s been set up for a second book, and I would be super interested to see what happens next if there ever was a second instalment.
However, I’m only going to give this book a 3 stars, as I was expecting a little more from it.
Idk, I’m feeling a little picky this year 🤷🏻♀️
Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
STORY:
Woah, the concept for this book was SO FASCINATING. I love, love, LOVE books with unique concepts that really make you think, and this book had that going for it. It did get a little confusing at times, as there was a lot of jumping around, which is required for this type of book, but I did find myself feeling a little lost here and there.
I heard that there were lots of great twists in this book, and while there were twists and turns every now and then, they weren’t as mind blowing as I was hoping they would be. I really wanted it to PUNCH me you know, but it wasn’t quite capable of that.
WRITING STYLE:
This author knows how to write beautiful sentences. I love artful writing styles, and this book had exactly that. I’ll definitely have to check out more of this author’s work!
CHARACTERS:
I can’t lie, I didn’t really feel any major connections with any of these characters, I was more interested in what they were doing, rather than their character as a whole. There was nothing that made me want me root for any of them.
ATMOSPHERE/VIBE:
So intriguing. It always left me wanting to read more, to find out more, to get to the big twists. I have to admit that I was more drawn in and hooked at the start of the book. Near the end, I feel as though it started to lose a bit of its magic and the ending was a little disappointing, juuuuust a little 🤏
Nevertheless, this was a super interesting read that makes you think on a deep level, and is definitely worth checking out!
Woah, the concept for this book was SO FASCINATING. I love, love, LOVE books with unique concepts that really make you think, and this book had that going for it. It did get a little confusing at times, as there was a lot of jumping around, which is required for this type of book, but I did find myself feeling a little lost here and there.
I heard that there were lots of great twists in this book, and while there were twists and turns every now and then, they weren’t as mind blowing as I was hoping they would be. I really wanted it to PUNCH me you know, but it wasn’t quite capable of that.
WRITING STYLE:
This author knows how to write beautiful sentences. I love artful writing styles, and this book had exactly that. I’ll definitely have to check out more of this author’s work!
CHARACTERS:
I can’t lie, I didn’t really feel any major connections with any of these characters, I was more interested in what they were doing, rather than their character as a whole. There was nothing that made me want me root for any of them.
ATMOSPHERE/VIBE:
So intriguing. It always left me wanting to read more, to find out more, to get to the big twists. I have to admit that I was more drawn in and hooked at the start of the book. Near the end, I feel as though it started to lose a bit of its magic and the ending was a little disappointing, juuuuust a little 🤏
Nevertheless, this was a super interesting read that makes you think on a deep level, and is definitely worth checking out!
A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
STORY:
I was feeling in the mood for something mysterious, and when I read the premise for this book, I thought it matched to what I wanted pretty well. I have to admit though, that it was the reviews on Goodreads that swayed me into reading this one.
I do feel a little disappointed coming away from the book, as there was a huge selection of good book reviews on Goodreads, and while I do feel that this book was good, it didn’t quite meet the expectations I had for it.
There were some pretty good plot twists, but it took a rather long time to get to them, and a lot of the really good stuff came right at the end, which I always find to be a bit of a bummer.
The story itself wasn’t anything that spectacular and unique; there are a lot of books very similar to this one out on the market, but it was still an enjoyable and cozy book to curl up with.
WRITING STYLE:
I really liked the writing style in this one. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts from the girls’ podcast, which was nice as we got to hear a little more of Bristal’s individual personality coming through. Everything flowed quite well, the dialogue was believable for the age range of the characters, and made for smooth reading.
CHARACTERS:
Okay, I am IN LOVE with Bristal. I have a real soft spot for characters that are hard and harsh on the outside, but we see their exterior melt to reveal their sweet and wholesome side. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship grow and strengthen between Lydia and Bristal as well; it was done really smoothly and organically which was a real strength for the story.
ATMOSPHERE/VIBE:
The vibe was cozy in this one, and as I’ve been sick with a nasty cold for the last couple of days, I’ve mainly been snuggled up under my blankets with this book, and it’s been a real comfort, so if I’m grateful to this book for anything, it’s that.
I was feeling in the mood for something mysterious, and when I read the premise for this book, I thought it matched to what I wanted pretty well. I have to admit though, that it was the reviews on Goodreads that swayed me into reading this one.
I do feel a little disappointed coming away from the book, as there was a huge selection of good book reviews on Goodreads, and while I do feel that this book was good, it didn’t quite meet the expectations I had for it.
There were some pretty good plot twists, but it took a rather long time to get to them, and a lot of the really good stuff came right at the end, which I always find to be a bit of a bummer.
The story itself wasn’t anything that spectacular and unique; there are a lot of books very similar to this one out on the market, but it was still an enjoyable and cozy book to curl up with.
WRITING STYLE:
I really liked the writing style in this one. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts from the girls’ podcast, which was nice as we got to hear a little more of Bristal’s individual personality coming through. Everything flowed quite well, the dialogue was believable for the age range of the characters, and made for smooth reading.
CHARACTERS:
Okay, I am IN LOVE with Bristal. I have a real soft spot for characters that are hard and harsh on the outside, but we see their exterior melt to reveal their sweet and wholesome side. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship grow and strengthen between Lydia and Bristal as well; it was done really smoothly and organically which was a real strength for the story.
ATMOSPHERE/VIBE:
The vibe was cozy in this one, and as I’ve been sick with a nasty cold for the last couple of days, I’ve mainly been snuggled up under my blankets with this book, and it’s been a real comfort, so if I’m grateful to this book for anything, it’s that.
Demon Road by Derek Landy
adventurous
funny
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
2.5
This was a little disappointing. It had a premise that intrigued me, and I haven't read a YA supernatural book for a while so it seemed like a good pick. It started off pretty strong and had me captivated, but then it just seemed to go a little flat, and wasn't all that enticing and gripping. It felt a little predictable and not really that interesting the more it went on.
The characters were OK, some of the dialouge was a little cringe and unrealistic. Glen was my favourite out of all the characters and he definitely deserved better.
Even though I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked, it has made me want to continue reading more books in the supernatural genre, so I'll now be on the hunt for something else to read, but don't think I'll pick up the other books in this series.
The characters were OK, some of the dialouge was a little cringe and unrealistic. Glen was my favourite out of all the characters and he definitely deserved better.
Even though I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked, it has made me want to continue reading more books in the supernatural genre, so I'll now be on the hunt for something else to read, but don't think I'll pick up the other books in this series.
Heart, Haunt, Havoc by Freydís Moon
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Just a quick little read. Pretty interesting, but I did lose interest around the halfway mark.
The Buried by Melissa Grey
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
This book started off pretty slowly, and then seemed to ramp up a bit, and then deflated again. I just couldn’t really seem to get into it all that much. I didn’t connect with the characters, and as a result I don’t really care about what happened to them. The change of perspectives of the three main characters was a little distracting as they all sounded the same, making it hard to differentiate between who was actually talking.
I love the idea of bunkers, and the concept sounded like something right up my alley, but it just didn’t deliver the quality that I was expecting.
I love the idea of bunkers, and the concept sounded like something right up my alley, but it just didn’t deliver the quality that I was expecting.
Tears in the Water by Margherita Scialla
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is a very modern love story, with modern and current issues running throughout, focusing on mental health, sexuality and identity.
I found that I really related to the main character - a lot of her anxieties and worries are the same that I used to struggle with; small things that may seem tiny and inconsequential to others, but world-crushing to me.
I really enjoyed the swimming aspect of it, and the sports university that the characters studied in was an interesting concept. It would have been nice for there to be a bit more focus on that part of the book too, which would have gone hand in hand nicely with the other issues raised in the book, and would have given it a lot more depth, I think.
It was a cozy book, and reminded me that my life is special and important, no matter what I decide to do with it, and has motivated me to work hard to reach my own personal goals.
Overall it was a sweet, short, enjoyable and easy to read book that was just what I needed.
I found that I really related to the main character - a lot of her anxieties and worries are the same that I used to struggle with; small things that may seem tiny and inconsequential to others, but world-crushing to me.
I really enjoyed the swimming aspect of it, and the sports university that the characters studied in was an interesting concept. It would have been nice for there to be a bit more focus on that part of the book too, which would have gone hand in hand nicely with the other issues raised in the book, and would have given it a lot more depth, I think.
It was a cozy book, and reminded me that my life is special and important, no matter what I decide to do with it, and has motivated me to work hard to reach my own personal goals.
Overall it was a sweet, short, enjoyable and easy to read book that was just what I needed.
After You Vanished by E.A. Neeves
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was really interesting. It didn’t pack as big of a punch as I was expecting it to, but the storyline was still interesting nonetheless.
I was pretty captivated at the start of the book and really enjoyed the direction that the story was going in, but it always felt like it was going to lead up to some big plot twist, but it just never really got there.
The relationship development between Teddy and Toby was really sweet, and the sadness of Teddy’s loss really did pluck at my heartstrings.
I liked the ending and how it leaves the reader with some unanswered questions, yet it still manages to be a satisfying ending, reflecting on the fact that in life we don’t always get the answers we want.
Overall this was a really good, cosy read, but I would have liked just a little extra something.
I was pretty captivated at the start of the book and really enjoyed the direction that the story was going in, but it always felt like it was going to lead up to some big plot twist, but it just never really got there.
The relationship development between Teddy and Toby was really sweet, and the sadness of Teddy’s loss really did pluck at my heartstrings.
I liked the ending and how it leaves the reader with some unanswered questions, yet it still manages to be a satisfying ending, reflecting on the fact that in life we don’t always get the answers we want.
Overall this was a really good, cosy read, but I would have liked just a little extra something.
The Marriage Act by John Marrs
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There’s no denying that John Marrs is a brilliant author, and that his story concepts are ELITE, but unfortunately this book felt a little disappointing to me. I think I went into it with extremely high hopes, and those hopes weren’t quite met. I just couldn’t connect to the story very much and couldn’t get on board with any of the characters. It felt pretty dragged out, and compared to the other John Marrs books I’ve read, this one just wasn’t able to grip me enough to keep me truly, deeply invested. I’m sure loads of others have the complete opposite opinion to me, and that’s fine.
I just was a little disappointed that I couldn’t get 100% invested in this book like I’ve been able to for the other books of his I’ve read.
Nevertheless, I look forward to still supporting and reading more of John Marr’s books in the future!
I just was a little disappointed that I couldn’t get 100% invested in this book like I’ve been able to for the other books of his I’ve read.
Nevertheless, I look forward to still supporting and reading more of John Marr’s books in the future!
What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There’s just something about John Marrs - he is BRILLIANT. He knows exactly how to grab a reader and keep them hooked, wanting to read and read and read. The ideas he comes up with are just so insanely brilliant and I’m so glad he exists.
If you’re looking for gritty, tense and traumatic stories, he is your ticket.
I absolutely loved The Passengers and The One, which introduced me to this author and was so glad to see that his brilliantness was evident just as much in this book.
The book really helps us to see the complexity of the human mind and the fragility that comes with trauma and intense love.
I can’t wait to read more of his works!
If you’re looking for gritty, tense and traumatic stories, he is your ticket.
I absolutely loved The Passengers and The One, which introduced me to this author and was so glad to see that his brilliantness was evident just as much in this book.
The book really helps us to see the complexity of the human mind and the fragility that comes with trauma and intense love.
I can’t wait to read more of his works!