millennialbookreview's reviews
541 reviews

Inside the Hollow Tree by Laurel Veil

2.0

 This book wasn't for me. The characters were fine and the plot was fine. The story is crafted in such a way that it feels like there's no build-up to certain events and little tension. It's at times both a whimsical story, and a story tackling serious issues like parental estrangement and abuses in the foster care system. It excels at times and falls flat at times. It's a quick and easy read. 

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

4.5

 I'm a sucker for a sweet romance, and this book delivered. The two leads had great chemistry, while also being compelling on their own. It was a nice romantic comedy with a lot of heart. It was funny and heartwarming, and an overall nice, relaxing read. The author nailed the "slow burn" aspect of the story while also delivering on how complicated life and relationships can be. 

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

emotional medium-paced

4.0

This was a great story, but one that's not an easy read. The narrative tackles very heavy topics, but gives them the appropriate weight. The author weaves the various plot threads together well to tell a compelling and engaging story. The story does get slow at times, and not every character's backstory needed to be delved into as deeply as they were, but it was an overall wonderful read. 

Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson

5.0

This book might not be for everyone, but it was a fantastic read for me. Lawson knows how to balance humor and seriousness when talking about heavy topics. It's witty and entertaining, while also being raw and vulnerable, as she discusses everything from her childhood in rural Texas to her mental health struggles to humorous stories from her time working in HR. This "mostly true" memoir is both fun and fascinating. 

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

4.0

This was a fascinating read. It highlights the similarities and differences between a variety of groups that are considered (or have been called) cults. It examines, on a broader level, how everyday people get drawn into cults, via their rhetoric and other factors. From traditional cults like Heaven's Gate to work-out "cults" like CrossFit, the author examines what makes these groups appeal to potential recruits, how they make it difficult to leave, and why we seem so fascinated with cults. It's a great starting point for someone wanting to learn more about cults, and understand things on a broad level. 

The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

4.5

The Bullet Swallower was a fun, wild read. It had a compelling plot, with interesting twists and turns. The characters were fascinating and complex. The writing was beautiful, and brought the intriguing story to life. All in all, it was a fantastic, unique story and I’d recommend it to anyone even slightly curious, based on the blurb.

 My full review can be found here

 

Shadows of the Dark Realm by Tyler Edwards

4.0

 **I received an advanced copy from the author.

Shadows of the Dark Realm was a novel I found to be incredibly engaging. The plot was exciting and action-packed, though the ending didn’t quite blow me away. The characters, for the most part, were entertaining, fun and complex, with a variety of moralities and motivations. I enjoyed the writing and the world-building. I don’t know if this novel is intended to be the first in a series, or a standalone, but it works either way. Overall, it was a fun, compelling story, and one I can see a lot of fantasy fans enjoying.

 My full review can be found here 

Time Capsel by Jonathan Maas

4.5

 This is one of the more unique time travel stories that I've read. The idea of time travel being both unpredictable and only possible in one direction made for a fascinating read. It's a solid, well-crafted short story which focuses not only on humanity, but also our collective hope for the future. It highlights both the uniqueness and resilience of humanity as a whole, while leaving the reader with interesting questions about what that means. The ending left me wanting more, in a good way. 

Hand of Midas by Richmond Camero

adventurous

2.5

 Hand of Midas is an entertaining read. The plot is fun and action-packed, and the story moves quickly, but doesn’t have many surprises. The characters are fun, but not particularly memorable. The world feels familiar, and is reminiscent of settings from other works. It’s a fast read, and a fun story, so it’s great for a reader looking to kill some time, or something that isn’t too heavy.

 My full review can be found here 

Teleosis: A Novel of Trauma and Transformation by Amy W. Vogel

3.5

 Teleosis was a good book, but it didn’t quite fit my tastes. It’s a beautifully written book, with compelling characters, but the story didn’t resonate as much with me. The author had a lot of fantastic ideas, and some of those ideas were executed better than others. The fantasy elements were fascinating and unique. I didn’t feel blown away by the novel on the whole, but other readers will definitely enjoy it.

 My full review can be found here