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michellesi01's reviews
129 reviews
An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M. White
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was neat reading this series and seeing the author’s romance writing grow throughout. Her ability to meld a compelling and high stakes mystery with a butterflies inducing romance as strengthened a lot and this book was absolutely my favorite!
The mystery itself was more sinister than I was ready for, but I tore through this book because of that right when the key details were revealed.
My main complaint of the strange focus on Christian belief underpinning every character still stands, but it was definitely less loud in this book than the previous two.
Overall a fantastic mystery/romance! This finale makes the first two installments well worth the read!
The mystery itself was more sinister than I was ready for, but I tore through this book because of that right when the key details were revealed.
My main complaint of the strange focus on Christian belief underpinning every character still stands, but it was definitely less loud in this book than the previous two.
Overall a fantastic mystery/romance! This finale makes the first two installments well worth the read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Pedophilia
A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Still the weirdly central focus on God. Very historically accurate. But not something I’m used to.
Really lovely exploration of DARK themes while balancing an interesting mystery!
Really lovely exploration of DARK themes while balancing an interesting mystery!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Kidnapping
The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
The writing style almost lends itself better to a podcast. I found it to be rather windy, especially in chapters where he doubled up on veterans. I also felt like the author had an outdated rose-colored view of morals and traditions. It was still great to have an easy intro into what the life of few stand out veterans was like. I set out to get a better opinion of the older generation that set up our political climate of today, and I’ve left this book with almost the same opinion as before.
A Beautiful Disguise (The Imposters Book #1) by Roseanna M. White
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A cute mystery that was a breeze to read. I kept mixing up all the characters and who they were related to, and there was a weird, if historically accurate, focus on the main character’s relationship with God. Just a weird thing to be historically accurate about when there’s a broke earl, circus animals, a private investigation company, and complete devotion to finding love over a marriage that makes me suspend my disbelief.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Subtle racism aside, this is a very sweet story about overcoming obstacles and maintaining dignity. I’m surprised with the amount of mature concepts thrown in, and I’m pretty sure a lot of seemingly mundane details would have to be explained to children of today’s era.
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A nice story! “Conspiracy” seems like a bit of a strong word given the actual conspiracy/mystery was probably about a quarter of the book. I kept getting distracted by small details that seemed to contradict other details, and I often didn’t feel like the characters were more than caricatures. However, I really enjoyed the weaving of the past into the story and Grandma Nora is just the sweetest character!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Wicked / Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The prose lends itself well to a musical adaptation. The stories are also horrifically relevant; I wish these books were a less inappropriate for a non adult reader so that they could be required in schools. Fascinating political and religious dilemmas are explored by very flawed characters.
If you’re looking for a fun fantasy book or picking this up because you love the musical, reset your expectations. There’s sex, but nothing is sexy; there’s crime, but it’s not suspenseful; it’s realistic, but it’s not exactly familiar.
A case study should be done on how The Wizard of Oz (novel) was adapted into the movie was adapted into Wicked (novel) was adapted into the musical was adapted into the movie.
If you’re looking for a fun fantasy book or picking this up because you love the musical, reset your expectations. There’s sex, but nothing is sexy; there’s crime, but it’s not suspenseful; it’s realistic, but it’s not exactly familiar.
A case study should be done on how The Wizard of Oz (novel) was adapted into the movie was adapted into Wicked (novel) was adapted into the musical was adapted into the movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe by Lisa Randall
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
3.75
Reading this reminded me why I refused to get an aeronautical engineering degree to work at NASA. That being said, this book is the most approachable writing about ground-breaking particle and astrophysics theories there is. And I adored the section about dinosaurs and the extinctions.
Rules of the Game by Nils Johnson-Shelton, James Frey
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the kind of book I would hate when I was in middle or high school. I’m still pretty enraged about a certain character death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder
Sky Key by Nils Johnson-Shelton, James Frey
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Stalking, Murder