maggies's reviews
678 reviews

Network Effect by Martha Wells

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adventurous funny reflective 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

Fantastic full-length Murderbot novel with high-stakes and hijinks. Loved loved loved
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

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adventurous funny mysterious 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

4.0

Finlay Donovan's life is a hot mess and I'm here for it. Loved getting to know some more side characters better (Cam + Mrs. H: 5⭐️/ Sylvia: 0⭐️). Not sure I found Finlay and Nick's relationship believable at this point, and there were a few plot holes that bugged me, but the shenanigans were fun and fast-paced, and I'll be back for more!
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

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

5.0

Wonderfully wacky and weird
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

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emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

This book was recommended to me by TSG's recommendation engine and it was a real bullseye. I didn't expect to be sucked in by Fern and Will and Jamie and Peter and Margaret and Brookbanks Resort, but I so was. Made me cry.
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Pulphead: Essays by John Jeremiah Sullivan

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funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

*Read as part of my challenge to (attempt to) read all 100 of NYT's best books of the 21st century*

Essays on wide-ranging topics, often with a focus on music in some capacity, that are empathetic and humanizing. Really lovely writing, though not all essays are equal.
The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas

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

4.0

A locked-door murder mystery plus time travel—what's not to love? As with all timey-wimey books, keeping track of the timeline is admittedly difficult, but the payoff was worth it in the end. Plot holes weren't too egregious either. 
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Scorched Skies by E.J. Mellow

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adventurous emotional 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

Scorched Skies filled the gap left by good romantasy for me lately. The world-building throughout slowed down the pace, but the action was actioning. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers with an unconventionally strong FMC and a prince MMC who chafes under others' expectations for him. I am hugely looking forward to finishing the series when the second book in the duology is released! When???

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson

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slow-paced

3.0

I prefer faster paced books, and this was far too slow for me, but it was really gorgeously written. I also found the time/POV jumps jarring, though I don't have a sense for how they could have been done differently. The primary theme of the book—cultivating and preserving the land—was salient and accessible. I loved the ending. I wish I had listened to the audiobook to hear the proper pronunciation of the Dakota language.
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Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

4.0

Love fake dating, love Regency romance. This is a fun, light, easy read. I intend to read the rest of the trilogy, if they hold up to the first.
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Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

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adventurous funny reflective 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

5.0

So much growth!