lynnenad's reviews
154 reviews

The Burning White by Brent Weeks

adventurous slow-paced

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

2.0

By far the worst book in the series. Did Brent Weeks refuse to be guided by an editor? Editors are good, man, and may have helped you avoid the long, repetitive, boring, self-referential BS that this book is full of. Disappointing. 

The Golden Age by Joan London

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

A charming book about children growing up with polio in Australia in the 1950s. Elegantly written with great insights into the human condition. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a gentle sedate work of high quality literature. 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

3.0

Why did this win the Booker prize?  It’s pleasant enough and competently written but it doesn’t teach me anything about the human condition or anything else.  Good book if you want to ponder the universe while drifting off to sleep. 

The Happiest Little Town by Barbara Hannay

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

A sweet little romance with the added benefit of having an extra plot or two ticking along behind the romance as well. Not high literature. Not even well written. Full of cliches. But sweet and relaxing and brain numbing. 

The Stories Of Tobias Wolff by Tobias Wolff

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

The author writes terrifically well, drawing you in to caring about the characters within a short paragraph or two of each story. Very few of hhe stories had a plot twist at the end but those that did were well executed. The strength of these stories lies in the realistic, comprehensive characterisations but also in the unexpected insights that the author has into his people. Thoroughly enjoyable and a masterclass in short story writing. 

The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

funny tense medium-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

4.0

An amusing light-hearted mystery with occasional novelties. Good for light entertainment. 

The Blood Mirror by Brent Weeks

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

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

3.5

So many characters and all of them seem to change allegiances. I got a bit confused. 

Snow by John Banville

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

A well written murder mystery. Most pleasant to read. Satisfying. Lovely imagery. Interesting detective. What’s not to love?

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

emotional tense slow-paced

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

2.0

I found the slow, obsessive nature of this book unpleasantly oppressive. I wanted to slap all of the characters in an attempt to make them get on with it. The sex scenes seemed to last forever. The ending was unbelievable IMO. All of the themes had all been done a million times before. Perhaps I have just grown out of romances. 

They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

A novel outlook which is refreshing in a YA book but a bit too cheesy towards the end for me.