maevekilcarr's reviews
281 reviews

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

dark 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? No

3.5

I really enjoyed the characters, the small-town setting, and the take on vampires. The writing was pretty good and I got a good sense of each character’s personality and voice in each perspective.

I wish the ending was stronger. The way the monologue kinda spells everything out took away from the potential this story had. Otherwise, this would have been rated higher ☹️

Nothing Can Hurt You by Nicola Maye Goldberg

dark reflective sad 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? No

2.0

I don’t think the framing of the story worked in the thematic aim of the author. Each character was interesting, but it wasn’t building toward something or revealing something in my opinion. It just kinda existed to be different I think 

In Case of Emergency by E. G. Scott

dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

I don’t have very strong feelings about this read. I was never bored or uninterested, but I will also likely not remember it in a few weeks

Edit: changing to a 2.5. The more I think about it, the more the stupid detectives and the extremely cartoony "villain reveals all" monologue sour me on the experience. 

Wavewalker: Breaking Free by Suzanne Heywood

adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

Not my favorite writing ever in a memoir. Sue’s story, however, is so fascinating and enraging. I hope the unschooling moms take a second to rethink their perspective and read this book

The Hunger by Alma Katsu

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Loved how rich the characters and relationship dynamics were. The atmosphere was incredible!! I only wish all storylines were fully concluded and that the ending wasn’t so abrupt 

Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie

challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.5

I’m going back-and-forth between a 3.5 and a 4. I might officially make my mind up after I sleep on it lol. 

I loved the multi-media style. The strongest part for me were the characters and the relationships they had with each other and (specifically in Jessica’s case) their loved ones. The ending really hit an emotional punch for me. 

I did think the story was missing a little something to push it all the way to the high 4 and 5 range. Maybe it was down to buying into the characters decision-making. I still enjoyed it overall 

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

adventurous mysterious tense medium-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? No

1.5

I’m giving it half a star for Michael’s unmatched science infused prose. 

Everything else sucked. There were so many characters and absolutely none of them read differently from each other or had any semblance of personality. The ending was so disappointing. Oh what could’ve been done…sigh. 

Instead we got a flavorless slab of grey and bleak boringness. So devastated I didn’t like this 

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-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? No

2.0

A mixed bag of bad writing, a terribly convenient ending, and, simultaneously, an decent good-for-her story. 

Edit: the writing isn't good enough for a 2.5 imo

Harbor by John Ajvide Lindqvist

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Had a lot of interesting pieces, but struggled to put everything together 

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

2.5

I’m just not into relationship-centered books and stream-of-consciousness style, sorry!