mdlyn_reads's reviews
190 reviews

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous mysterious 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

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

Emily Henry’s books never disappoint! Yet another novel that has complex realistic characters, and interesting plot, and clichés that don’t feel predictable. My favourite of all of her books.

Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi

emotional inspiring mysterious fast-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? No

5.0

Absolutely loved this book, not what I expected and thoroughly enjoyed it. Still feeling unsure of what to make of the ending which makes me love this more. 

Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau

lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Downstream by Annika Johansson

inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious fast-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? Yes

3.0

Morning Pages by Kate Feiffer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

I initially requested this book because I thought the premise was interesting and novel, having heard about Morning Pages on social media. I quickly realised when I started the book that it wasn’t for me and stopped reading it early on.

I felt that it began in a confusing way, the journal entries felt a little chaotic (which I appreciate reflects the stream of consciousness) which I did not find it as interesting to read as I thought I would, nor was I invested in reading more. It felt like more work for me to try and unravel the and pick out the important parts from the parts of the entries, so I stopped reading. 

I think this would be a great read for someone in a creative profession that is curious about the inner world of a writer or might like the idea of sifting through someone’s journal. Perhaps more for someone reflective that likes to ponder rather than someone looking for a quick read. 

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for early access to this book!

Telling Tall Tales by John Molik
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

DNF @ 20%. I struggled through most of the first short story (Troubled Waters) and stopped reading after a gratuitous rape scene that was completely unnecessary in my opinion. It was really triggering to read about a woman being drugged and raped, and made me feel angry that this was part of the story (if you’re creating your own sci fi world, why create a world where rape exists?). 

The premise of the first story was great, and would do well as its own novel. However the writing itself was basic and the dialogue was flat, the writer would tell not show. 

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape

Will We Still Be Here Tomorrow?: poems on the way by Ford Turrell

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

This was a really interesting collection of poems. I really enjoyed the reading experience, many of the poems were thought-provoking and reflective. There were some poems which felt a little simplistic in comparison and took away from the strength of the poems. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Sunrise Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence