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mandykool's reviews
537 reviews
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
3.0
This book was incredibly enjoyable - which is why I gave it three stars, however, there is just too much wrong with it to give it more.
The beginning was enticing and I wanted to know more right off the bat. However, the letters from her former self got in the way and drove me mad. To the point where it broke the narrative up in pointless, annoying pieces that never really mattered.
It was a unique way to world build, but also an annoying one.
Finally, the conclusion came and I won't go into too much detail, but it seemed fast, forced, and not as detailed as the rest of the book.
I will read the next one in the series because I enjoyed the world and the characters, but this one, like many debuts was a bit rough.
The beginning was enticing and I wanted to know more right off the bat. However, the letters from her former self got in the way and drove me mad. To the point where it broke the narrative up in pointless, annoying pieces that never really mattered.
It was a unique way to world build, but also an annoying one.
Finally, the conclusion came and I won't go into too much detail, but it seemed fast, forced, and not as detailed as the rest of the book.
I will read the next one in the series because I enjoyed the world and the characters, but this one, like many debuts was a bit rough.
The Shining by Stephen King
3.0
This is one that had I read in my younger years, maybe I’d have enjoyed it more?
But I struggled with King’s usage of words and terms that should have never been okay to use.
At the heart of this story it really is about a family torn apart by a man’s vices and I see that being compelling, but parts were long and King is winded so often and even in his beginning books, he needed an editor to cut half the book.
Overall, entertaining, but one I won’t jump back and read again.
But I struggled with King’s usage of words and terms that should have never been okay to use.
At the heart of this story it really is about a family torn apart by a man’s vices and I see that being compelling, but parts were long and King is winded so often and even in his beginning books, he needed an editor to cut half the book.
Overall, entertaining, but one I won’t jump back and read again.
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
3.0
3 stars. definitely not a thriller.
This book was just okay for me. It was well-written, engaging, and a beautiful story.
But I don’t know. I just didn’t care for it as much as I thought I would. I also was not a fan of the ending.
This book was just okay for me. It was well-written, engaging, and a beautiful story.
But I don’t know. I just didn’t care for it as much as I thought I would. I also was not a fan of the ending.
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
5.0
I almost didn’t finish this book at the half way mark, and man, would I have been so sad.
This book was beautiful. Just beautiful. No other words.
It’s one of those books that is real slow, you don’t think you’re going to care and then it has you sobbing at the end.
It’s not the normal thriller, it’s more literary fiction for sure, but with characters that are so brilliant. I didn’t expect the small little details to tug at my heart strings so very much. I think this one is going to stick with me a long time.
This book was beautiful. Just beautiful. No other words.
It’s one of those books that is real slow, you don’t think you’re going to care and then it has you sobbing at the end.
It’s not the normal thriller, it’s more literary fiction for sure, but with characters that are so brilliant. I didn’t expect the small little details to tug at my heart strings so very much. I think this one is going to stick with me a long time.
The Last Final Girl by Stephen Graham Jones
3.0
Solid 3.5 stars.
“Then I’ll spit on your grave myself, take you to the last house on the left before dawn.”
What a fun ride. IF you love slasher movies and I mean, have seen them all, understand the lore and all the tropes.
I am a slasher fan, and clearly Stephen Graham Jones is as well.
I loved this book. I loved the premise. I loved the characters.
However, there were a few things that just didn’t work for me, even in a book that is playing on tropes, the grand finale, “ghost-face” reveal didn’t work for me. It may for others, but nah for me.
The other issue I have is that this book reads like a screenplay, but in novel form. A really unique way to write a book, but it left it feeling not all put together and confusing. There were many scenes that I also had to reread because I wasn’t sure what was going on and things could have been described clearer.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to a horror fan. It was fun, funny, and horror-rific.
“Then I’ll spit on your grave myself, take you to the last house on the left before dawn.”
What a fun ride. IF you love slasher movies and I mean, have seen them all, understand the lore and all the tropes.
I am a slasher fan, and clearly Stephen Graham Jones is as well.
I loved this book. I loved the premise. I loved the characters.
However, there were a few things that just didn’t work for me, even in a book that is playing on tropes, the grand finale, “ghost-face” reveal didn’t work for me. It may for others, but nah for me.
The other issue I have is that this book reads like a screenplay, but in novel form. A really unique way to write a book, but it left it feeling not all put together and confusing. There were many scenes that I also had to reread because I wasn’t sure what was going on and things could have been described clearer.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to a horror fan. It was fun, funny, and horror-rific.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
3.0
4 stars. I liked it.
There’s a curse on the house. There’s spooky elements. There’s the macabre and the sublime. Gothic horror for sure.
I can’t pinpoint what I didn’t like, but sometimes the characters just didn’t work for me and it took a little bit to get into it. Overall though, great and spooky book.
There’s a curse on the house. There’s spooky elements. There’s the macabre and the sublime. Gothic horror for sure.
I can’t pinpoint what I didn’t like, but sometimes the characters just didn’t work for me and it took a little bit to get into it. Overall though, great and spooky book.
Comfort Me with Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
5.0
I don’t want to give anything away for this short, brilliant book.
It’s a wild ride. Just read it. So good and such a fresh take!
It’s a wild ride. Just read it. So good and such a fresh take!
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
5.0
I’m so happy there is a sequel to this book coming this year.
This book was so good. I loved it. If you like stories about magical schools and students who are learning where they belong in the world, pick this one up. Amari is the protagonist we should all want to read about.
So lovely, lovely, lovely.
Gah.
This book was so good. I loved it. If you like stories about magical schools and students who are learning where they belong in the world, pick this one up. Amari is the protagonist we should all want to read about.
So lovely, lovely, lovely.
Gah.
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill
4.0
Adorable. The artwork is amazing. It could use a little more in depth story, but otherwise great.