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marydish's reviews
396 reviews
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Having finished the second book in the Beartown series with one book left to go, I can confidently say this is one of my all time favorite series.
An astonishing feat from this author is that he tells you exactly what will happen to the characters, with no room left for doubt. However, it’s the emotional impact and how he writes the story and allows it to unfold that hits you the hardest. You know how it will end, but each sentence hits you like a gut punch that truly immerses you in the feelings and circumstances affecting each person.
I don’t think there’s a character in this book that I don’t love (well, minus one smarmy politician). The character development for everyone is so beautifully detailed, with wonderful arcs, flaws, and personal challenges that they each face. Every character is tested throughout this book and series, and they all come out stronger for it, wedging themselves inside readers’ hearts with their likability and relatability, but also because of their resilience. And of course, the goings on of the novel being rooted in hockey adds an element of drama and tension that makes you hold your breath with each turn of the page.
Can’t wait to read book 3.
An astonishing feat from this author is that he tells you exactly what will happen to the characters, with no room left for doubt. However, it’s the emotional impact and how he writes the story and allows it to unfold that hits you the hardest. You know how it will end, but each sentence hits you like a gut punch that truly immerses you in the feelings and circumstances affecting each person.
I don’t think there’s a character in this book that I don’t love (well, minus one smarmy politician). The character development for everyone is so beautifully detailed, with wonderful arcs, flaws, and personal challenges that they each face. Every character is tested throughout this book and series, and they all come out stronger for it, wedging themselves inside readers’ hearts with their likability and relatability, but also because of their resilience. And of course, the goings on of the novel being rooted in hockey adds an element of drama and tension that makes you hold your breath with each turn of the page.
Can’t wait to read book 3.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Rape, Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Poisoned Pawn: Lost Sovereigns Book 1 by K. L. Vincent
adventurous
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
4.75
This was such an adventurous, inspiring read. The cast of characters is truly diverse, with wonderful representation, and any reader can find themselves relating to one of them.
The novel itself focuses on Æri, a huntress in Særenfell. There’s a lot of mysteries left to unravel in this book, and one of the biggest ones is why did The Split occur and how can Æri help find a cure for the Blodlyst? As she searches the answers for these questions, her progress is thwarted when she is taken prisoner. The book then follows her encounters with people both new and familiar, and each person she meets appears to be integral to advancing her time in Fironbec. There’s so much intention and thought that’s gone into each plot point, character introduction, and conversation. Her relationship with Rione is complicated, yet full of yearning and comfortable companionship that was delightful to read about and see unfold. The pacing was wonderful, and I feel like there was a great mix of intrigue and knowledge - we found a few things out but we are encouraged to pick up the next book because this book truly allows us to invest in the plot and characters and want to know what happened. We are right there with Æri as things are revealed to her and with her wanting to find out more about the gods’ intentions.
Lastly, the technology aspects in this book are sooo cool, and almost gives me steampunk needs hands vibes. Overall…I need book two like yesterday.
The novel itself focuses on Æri, a huntress in Særenfell. There’s a lot of mysteries left to unravel in this book, and one of the biggest ones is why did The Split occur and how can Æri help find a cure for the Blodlyst? As she searches the answers for these questions, her progress is thwarted when she is taken prisoner. The book then follows her encounters with people both new and familiar, and each person she meets appears to be integral to advancing her time in Fironbec. There’s so much intention and thought that’s gone into each plot point, character introduction, and conversation. Her relationship with Rione is complicated, yet full of yearning and comfortable companionship that was delightful to read about and see unfold. The pacing was wonderful, and I feel like there was a great mix of intrigue and knowledge - we found a few things out but we are encouraged to pick up the next book because this book truly allows us to invest in the plot and characters and want to know what happened. We are right there with Æri as things are revealed to her and with her wanting to find out more about the gods’ intentions.
Lastly, the technology aspects in this book are sooo cool, and almost gives me steampunk needs hands vibes. Overall…I need book two like yesterday.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
This review includes minor spoilers.
The Women was an excellent narrative about Frances McGrath, a young woman who joins the Vietnam war as an army nurse. This book starts and ends with love. As quoted in the book, Frankie is shaped, challenged, and transformed by the events that she goes through, the people who are introduced to her, and the people she loses.
What I liked about this book is that it doesn’t really good job detailing the effect of PTSD. It doesn’t shy away from heavy topics and allows, you to really feel the emotional distress of Frankie. I can also appreciate the underlying message of the importance of remembrance, and more specifically the importance of women in such a monumental moment in American history. I love Frankie’s journey and her healing. It felt like a really special story..
With that said, I think this is one of Kristin Hannah’s weaker books. I think that the romance in the story was messy, and I was a little disappointed with the character arc of Frankie’s father. I wish that we got more forgiveness and emotional growth from him. I also wish that we got more of the history between Frankie and her brother Finley, as well as Rye, before the war. I feel like that would’ve helped for a deeper emotional connection with what happened with them both.
The Women was an excellent narrative about Frances McGrath, a young woman who joins the Vietnam war as an army nurse. This book starts and ends with love. As quoted in the book, Frankie is shaped, challenged, and transformed by the events that she goes through, the people who are introduced to her, and the people she loses.
What I liked about this book is that it doesn’t really good job detailing the effect of PTSD. It doesn’t shy away from heavy topics and allows, you to really feel the emotional distress of Frankie. I can also appreciate the underlying message of the importance of remembrance, and more specifically the importance of women in such a monumental moment in American history. I love Frankie’s journey and her healing. It felt like a really special story..
With that said, I think this is one of Kristin Hannah’s weaker books. I think that the romance in the story was messy, and I was a little disappointed with the character arc of Frankie’s father. I wish that we got more forgiveness and emotional growth from him. I also wish that we got more of the history between Frankie and her brother Finley, as well as Rye, before the war. I feel like that would’ve helped for a deeper emotional connection with what happened with them both.
Under Your Scars by Ariel N. Anderson
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.25
This book is INSANE. I don't even know if I mean that in a good or a bad way. I don't think I'd actually recommend this book to anyone. It's so dark and traumatizing. It's like a rollercoaster that slowly rises for the first 45%, then is just a rapid downward descent that never stops.
[Spoilers ahead, kinda]
This is a romantic tragedy that has very Batman-esque vibes. Set in Meridian City, a crime-ridden, dark, gritty island city in New Jersey, it details Elena and Christian's complicated love story while interweaving it all with the life of The Silencer, the serial killer who runs rampant in the city. The second and third parts of the book are dedicated to Elena's family's dynamic and involvement with her relationship after an event at the end of part one.
The love that Christian has for Elena is disturbing, but sweet and passionate at the same time. How both can be true, you'd have to read for yourself to see. It's so incredibly dark and unconventional, and I was rooting for their love while also wondering why the heck I was doing so and questioning my own sanity. Their past is intertwined in a sordid way, and things rapidly devolve after the halfway mark in the book because of that past. The ending had me sobbing during my 10 min break at work. I just want to hug Elena and Christian and rewrite their story for them.
If you do decide to read this, please read the trigger warnings and know that it is a romantic tragedy without a HEA. Let me know if you do read it so we can cry together.
[Spoilers ahead, kinda]
This is a romantic tragedy that has very Batman-esque vibes. Set in Meridian City, a crime-ridden, dark, gritty island city in New Jersey, it details Elena and Christian's complicated love story while interweaving it all with the life of The Silencer, the serial killer who runs rampant in the city. The second and third parts of the book are dedicated to Elena's family's dynamic and involvement with her relationship after an event at the end of part one.
The love that Christian has for Elena is disturbing, but sweet and passionate at the same time. How both can be true, you'd have to read for yourself to see. It's so incredibly dark and unconventional, and I was rooting for their love while also wondering why the heck I was doing so and questioning my own sanity. Their past is intertwined in a sordid way, and things rapidly devolve after the halfway mark in the book because of that past. The ending had me sobbing during my 10 min break at work. I just want to hug Elena and Christian and rewrite their story for them.
If you do decide to read this, please read the trigger warnings and know that it is a romantic tragedy without a HEA. Let me know if you do read it so we can cry together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Car accident
Minor: Terminal illness
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is a stunning journey of vulnerability. It’s written in second person and never gives a name for the main character and his love interest, which is just one example of how the author helps the reader develop and maintain an empathic viewpoint for what they read. Open Water is a Black love story in which the man is forced to confront his internal state of being to see and continue being seen by the woman he loves. He trudges out into the depths of love and emotion but can’t do it without reflecting on the Black experience and trauma that comes with it. This was a really emotionally and beautiful story and I found myself tearing up at the profound one liners and writing style. Incredible read all around.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Honestly, this one was kind of disappointing for me. I’ll start off with the positives and say that I’ll always appreciate Ali Hazelwood’s humor, and witty writing. The dialogue between characters and love interests always reminds me of scenes out of Gilmore Girls, and there are always so many laugh out loud moments scattered throughout.
(This next part includes spoilers)
What fell flat for me was the romance and the plot of the book. For a book that advertises and starts off with talk of kinks, there really isn’t much involved. I do understand the importance of Scarlett giving up control through her sexual endeavors, based on her history and past, but I don’t know that this did anything to serve her relationship and development with Lukas. Well, I appreciated Lukas’s emotional maturity throughout the book, because it really was refreshing to see him never get upset with Scarlett, their relationship just felt very stiff and unromantic, similar to the physical moments between them. And then the love story as a whole kind of just got bogged down by having the sports and STEAM aspects. I feel like the book was just trying to include a lot of things at once, and I think it would have worked better if maybe the story was a little longer or Lukas felt less robotic as a character. Idk I wish I loved this one more but it just didn’t do it for me!
(This next part includes spoilers)
What fell flat for me was the romance and the plot of the book. For a book that advertises and starts off with talk of kinks, there really isn’t much involved. I do understand the importance of Scarlett giving up control through her sexual endeavors, based on her history and past, but I don’t know that this did anything to serve her relationship and development with Lukas. Well, I appreciated Lukas’s emotional maturity throughout the book, because it really was refreshing to see him never get upset with Scarlett, their relationship just felt very stiff and unromantic, similar to the physical moments between them. And then the love story as a whole kind of just got bogged down by having the sports and STEAM aspects. I feel like the book was just trying to include a lot of things at once, and I think it would have worked better if maybe the story was a little longer or Lukas felt less robotic as a character. Idk I wish I loved this one more but it just didn’t do it for me!