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mandykool's reviews
537 reviews
The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
4.0
I want a second book. Magic is going to come back into Jane’s life.
This book was definitely a favorite of the year. I’m giving it 4.5 stars.
It was a perfect blend of Gothic Novel with creepy horror. It was twisty and unexpected and absolutely original.
Starling did a great job of using Gothic Tropes (like the weird out of place, unrealistic romance, the creepy house, the “damsel”, the macabre and sublime) and adding her own modern twist.
The magic was where I got confused. I don’t really understand how it worked and I think a background in extreme off-path math knowledge is needed. Those were the parts that tripped me up.
All in all, I want to read more from this author and this one needs a sequel!
This book was definitely a favorite of the year. I’m giving it 4.5 stars.
It was a perfect blend of Gothic Novel with creepy horror. It was twisty and unexpected and absolutely original.
Starling did a great job of using Gothic Tropes (like the weird out of place, unrealistic romance, the creepy house, the “damsel”, the macabre and sublime) and adding her own modern twist.
The magic was where I got confused. I don’t really understand how it worked and I think a background in extreme off-path math knowledge is needed. Those were the parts that tripped me up.
All in all, I want to read more from this author and this one needs a sequel!
False Witness by Karin Slaughter
5.0
This book. I couldn’t put it down. Any chance I could get I was reading.
Slaughter has a way of making characters that are beautifully broken and you root for them even with their tragic stories. Calli and Leigh are no different.
There’s heaviness and some pretty triggering topics, but this book is so good and so relevant for life in 2021.
Slaughter has a way of making characters that are beautifully broken and you root for them even with their tragic stories. Calli and Leigh are no different.
There’s heaviness and some pretty triggering topics, but this book is so good and so relevant for life in 2021.
The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith
1.0
DNF at 45%
I was quite interested in the story, but I was not okay with where the romance was going.
Someone following a person for years, leaving notes on their pillow, and then saying they invaded their dreams is not okay.
It’s 2021. Bodily autonomy matters. Will not recommend.
I was quite interested in the story, but I was not okay with where the romance was going.
Someone following a person for years, leaving notes on their pillow, and then saying they invaded their dreams is not okay.
It’s 2021. Bodily autonomy matters. Will not recommend.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
3.0
I gave this book 3 stars because the author can write, but this didn’t work for me.
I dislike how it’s pitched as a horror/gothic/thriller when that is not what it is.
To me, hyping mental illness up as a serial killer horror and using a real sickness as a plot twist is just not okay.
I’d have been much happier to pick this up and read it knowing right away Ted has DiD.
The best part of the whole book was the perspective of the cat. I could have a whole book in her viewpoint and love it. Very Stephen King-esque in those sections.
While I like that the author portrayed it in a more positive light, it just didn’t completely work for me.
Dee was unnecessary and took away from the plot as well.
I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with and I’ll give another book a shot, but this one was not it.
I dislike how it’s pitched as a horror/gothic/thriller when that is not what it is.
To me, hyping mental illness up as a serial killer horror and using a real sickness as a plot twist is just not okay.
I’d have been much happier to pick this up and read it knowing right away Ted has DiD.
The best part of the whole book was the perspective of the cat. I could have a whole book in her viewpoint and love it. Very Stephen King-esque in those sections.
While I like that the author portrayed it in a more positive light, it just didn’t completely work for me.
Dee was unnecessary and took away from the plot as well.
I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with and I’ll give another book a shot, but this one was not it.
As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson
2.0
The first two were 5 star reads, but as much as I appreciate a good twist, this wasn’t it.
I am sad that this is the end of what was an amazing series.
I will read more Holly Jackson in the future but with caution.
I am sad that this is the end of what was an amazing series.
I will read more Holly Jackson in the future but with caution.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
5.0
I put this one down last month because I wasn’t in the mood for it, but I picked it back up and I’m glad I did.
Beautiful. Best book I’ve read all year. I just love it!
Beautiful. Best book I’ve read all year. I just love it!
Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis
3.0
Just a sweet, precious love story that deals with chance meetings, old romances, and grief.
I loved Noelle and her evolution through the book. I wasn’t sold on Sam completely. I was happy with how to book tied all the strings in the story, but maybe I just wanted more sparks flying.
All in all, it was an enjoyable sweet story. One I’d recommend to people who like G-rated happy romance books.
I loved Noelle and her evolution through the book. I wasn’t sold on Sam completely. I was happy with how to book tied all the strings in the story, but maybe I just wanted more sparks flying.
All in all, it was an enjoyable sweet story. One I’d recommend to people who like G-rated happy romance books.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
4.0
This one was a sweet book. It kept my attention. Emily Henry can write.
It would be a five star, but there are just a few things with the pacing that felt off. Comparing to Beach Read, this one just isn’t as good. Still a stellar book, but in places it drug.
It would be a five star, but there are just a few things with the pacing that felt off. Comparing to Beach Read, this one just isn’t as good. Still a stellar book, but in places it drug.