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mirandalikesbooks's reviews
27 reviews
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Love a sapphic romance and Wilsner is one of the best in the game. Grace and Matthews are my autistic/adhd couple icons. I love the way miscommunication plays out in this book - it's different than how that trope usually plays out in a good way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked it. Great if you like funny, personal first person POV. Vesper, the main character, is quick & snarky and the story moves super quickly so it's an easy read. Fun.
I thought some of it was a little cliche and unbelievable. Mild spoiler:So many pentagrams. It's not doing anything deep really. Reads a tiny bit YA for me.
I would have trust issues for life if I was Vesper.
Would recommend for an easy palette cleanser
I thought some of it was a little cliche and unbelievable. Mild spoiler:
Would recommend for an easy palette cleanser
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Body horror, Cannibalism, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Animal death, Child abuse, Murder, and Religious bigotry
The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Once I settled into the poetry of the writing and the pov for the whole book being statements from separate people, I was strapped in and ready for the rest. I think this was an extremely thoughtful lens on how similar experiences can impact people differently. Power dynamics and class dynamics were examined in such a clever and memorable way.
I've never read a book that compares to it in style. So much was packed into <200 pages. It has incredible re-read value.
If you are someone who needs a plot and an answer and a loveable main character (or any main character at all), this is definitely not the book for you. This book will make you think, confuse you at times, punch you in the gut, and make you really think about the human condition.
I've never read a book that compares to it in style. So much was packed into <200 pages. It has incredible re-read value.
If you are someone who needs a plot and an answer and a loveable main character (or any main character at all), this is definitely not the book for you. This book will make you think, confuse you at times, punch you in the gut, and make you really think about the human condition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Death
Look Closer by David Ellis
dark
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Best thriller I've read in a long time! It made me want to read everything else Ellis has written.
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Simon's dedication to the long con is absolutely unmatched. He's truly diabolical, and somehow completely justified. What an amazing character.
Would absolutely recommend!
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Would absolutely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Grief, Addiction, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This series just keeps getting better! I think Piper and Galen were such a lovely pair, and the secret to what was causing the deaths being explored in the beginning was a fun adventure.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Murder, Body horror, Sexual content, Death, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book read like a memoir or a stream of consciousness. Like memories pieced together. It was an intimate POV of a first generation experience, of growing up black in the south, of the changing nature of faith and religion, of what it's like to see your family struggle with mental health issues and addiction. You really get to know who Gifty is and what drives her throughout this novel.
I would recommend this if you're drawn to memoirs or particularly reflective fiction.
My biggest qualm with this book is that I felt like I was waiting for the book to pick up a plot line that it never did. I also don't read a lot of books this tied up in Christianity, so I may have not been the perfect audience.The hard cut at the end to her being in a relationship with Han having already experienced her mom's passing felt too sudden for me too.
I would recommend this if you're drawn to memoirs or particularly reflective fiction.
My biggest qualm with this book is that I felt like I was waiting for the book to pick up a plot line that it never did. I also don't read a lot of books this tied up in Christianity, so I may have not been the perfect audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Racism, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, and Addiction
Moderate: Death
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Would maybe come back to this
I just immediately felt so sorry for the main character and slightly embarrassed for him and it was not the vibe
I just immediately felt so sorry for the main character and slightly embarrassed for him and it was not the vibe
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A quick and easy read! Would be great for a flight or a rainy day.
I thought I was settling in for something a little meatier. In my opinion, the story introduced the conflict right away and didn't do much to surprise the reader throughout.
However, I did like Millie's role in the plot - she was more clever than people wanted to give her credit for. I also liked the battle of wills between Jack and Grace. The "who will win" of it all kept me reading.
I thought I was settling in for something a little meatier. In my opinion, the story introduced the conflict right away and didn't do much to surprise the reader throughout.
However, I did like Millie's role in the plot - she was more clever than people wanted to give her credit for. I also liked the battle of wills between Jack and Grace. The "who will win" of it all kept me reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, Torture, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
Minor: Infertility and Forced institutionalization
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Emily Henry always makes great things happen. I knew this would be good before I even opened it. I think this book is a relatable exploration of living and falling in love even through grief and brokenness.
I will say some of the true romance of this novel felt a little over the top for me to the point that I didn't resonate with this one nearly as much as the last couple Henry books I read. Still good and worth reading though!
I will say some of the true romance of this novel felt a little over the top for me to the point that I didn't resonate with this one nearly as much as the last couple Henry books I read. Still good and worth reading though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
The author of this book did such an incredible job weaving together facts about our current industrial prison system and details about the prison system of this universe. So much so that it definitely feels like real corporate Amerikkka could make the decision to move in this direction.
This undeniable parallel to the real world that was interspersed with real laws and real instances of police brutality didn't detract from the fact that this was absolutely beautiful fiction. The characters were so rich. I was fully invested in Loretta & Hamara's relationship - their circumstances made me feel real emotions. And the stories of prisoners who were tortured or controlled to the extent that this gladiator fighting became their only option kept me riveted as well.
I was convinced at the beginning, because it's sometimes hard for me to sink into fiction that requires a ton of world building, that this would land as a 4 for me. By the end I was smashing that 5 star button HARD.
No notes. Everyone should read this.
This undeniable parallel to the real world that was interspersed with real laws and real instances of police brutality didn't detract from the fact that this was absolutely beautiful fiction. The characters were so rich. I was fully invested in Loretta & Hamara's relationship - their circumstances made me feel real emotions. And the stories of prisoners who were tortured or controlled to the extent that this gladiator fighting became their only option kept me riveted as well.
I was convinced at the beginning, because it's sometimes hard for me to sink into fiction that requires a ton of world building, that this would land as a 4 for me. By the end I was smashing that 5 star button HARD.
No notes. Everyone should read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Slavery, Murder, Death, Grief, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Blood, Classism, and Confinement