mlsweeten's reviews
229 reviews

The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

As far as thrillers go, this was a bit over the top and unbelievable. But it was a page turner and fast read. 

Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake by Frank W. Abagnale

adventurous medium-paced

3.0

My main problem with this book is that I don’t like Frank. He seems proud of what he did even though it hurt other people. As for the writing, the overuse of clever similes and metaphors became tiresome.  I can’t help but wonder how much of his story is exaggerated. The last two chapters were pretty enthralling though. 

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

adventurous mysterious medium-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

3.75

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

adventurous lighthearted medium-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? No

4.5

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

hopeful 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

3.75

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

adventurous dark 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? No

4.25

This was different than I expected but I liked it a lot. The title is a bit misleading. The bear is symbolic of the dangers in the wild. A young stallion is named Solovey- meaning nightingale. It’s a battle between good and evil. Young Vasya is caught between old pagan beliefs and Christianity. She is accused of being a witch and attracting demons while she tries to save her misguided family and the villagers from those same demons. It’s based on Russian folklore and the variations of Russian names made it a bit challenging but worth sticking with. This is a great winter read as the descriptions of life in freezing Russian medieval times are quite chilling. 

North Woods by Daniel Mason

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

This was certainly a unique book and a reminder that life goes on once we’re gone.  Old houses are full of stories and secrets that they don’t give out easily.  I like how the chapters each tell a different story but are connected to the property and the yellow house, adding more layers to its history. As time progresses, each character finds clues to the narrative of the land and the people who lived and died there.  The writing included letters and poetry which made it a fun read and the ending was absolutely perfect. My favorite line:  “The only way to understand the world as something other than a tale of loss is to see it as a tale of change.” 

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.75

There are four main characters in this book: Tao the fortune teller, Kina the baker, Mash the mercenary, and Silt the reformed thief. Together they end up on an adventure trying to find Mash’s missing daughter. The story is mostly Tao’s as she learns she doesn’t have to face her problems alone. This is a lighthearted cute story. I really kind of wish there was a map at the beginning showing their fictional kingdom so I could follow along better on their journey. 

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

emotional mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

This is a suspenseful historical novel inspired by a real midwife named Martha Ballard who lived during the late 1700s. It involves a rape, a murder, and a trial. Her expertise is in high demand while she also tends to her large, complex family. The story is well executed, the characters are intricate, and the writing is beautiful. A wonderful book! 

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5