monitaroymohan's reviews
1092 reviews

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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

3.5

This was a lot of fun. The story is lighthearted for the most part - set in a fantasy world of magic, the protagonist, Evie, decides to become the assistant to a villain so that she has enough money to take care of her family. She's a nonchalant and carefree kind of character - clumsy, but not overly so. Mostly irreverent, which can be amusing. There were times, though, when she reminded me of an employee who could not read the room at work, and I found those moments of the book less amusing. I like that there are twists in the tale; I didn't like that there's a spectre of sexual violence over the female characters. I understand the need to add some realism, but why not turn the tables and either not include it at all, or maybe turn the spotlight on the less discussed issue of male victims. It's quite impossible to truly escape into a fantasy otherwise. This is the first part of the story, so keep that in mind when reading. 
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A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

I hated the first book in this series and I wasn’t planning on reading more. But then I went to a talk by the author, and you know how it is when creators talk about their work, right? They sell you on it. Mackintosh certainly sold me on this. 

The story is set in Wales with the detective protagonists investigating a case on a reality tv show set. It’s a riveting read. I was intrigued  throughout. I read it over a long period of time, savouring going back to it instead of reading it in a rush. It was fun. 

I’d argue the weakest link in the story is the romance between Ffion and Leo. It barely worked in the first book, it’s downright tedious in this one. I found it mostly unconvincing. 

But all in all, this was a great read. None of the salaciousness of the previous book. Sure, there’s some vile and sleazy stuff, but nothing too gratuitous or sensational here. 

Highly recommend for a murder mystery reader.  
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

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informative medium-paced

3.5

Don’t usually read self-help books, but got a few tips from this one for work and leadership. 
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

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

2.5

My mother recommended this book and I’m unsure if she was mad at me or she genuinely dug the book and thought I would too. 

Look, the premise is interesting. A young woman is desperate to make it as a playwright and finds parallels in the story of her ancestor, who she conjectures may have been the true author of Shakespeare’s plays. But hoo boy. This was a lot. There was a sense of persecution complex when writing Emilia. And Melina was insufferable—though I was surprised she got her comeuppance. 

This does make for an interesting read but dragged on too long. 

A fascinating read but annoying as well. 
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Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was riveting. So many points of view and they wove through the narrative really well. Were the characters likeable—not all, but they were compelling. 

My issue is that the book undermines a serious problem—gender-based violence and assault. It tries to turn things on its head but feeds into the concept of women lying about gendered violence. What’s a minuscule percentage in reality, is blown out of proportion in pop culture. 

There’s also a character with behavioural issues who is…the worst. It’s not that people who have such issues can’t be terrible, it’s that if you have just the one character with these issues and they’re the worst, everyone who has behavioural issues gets branded as potentially being the worst. 

Instead of dealing with the issues of loneliness, bring different and delusions, it goes the spectacle route. Yes, it made for a great read, but disappointed at not seeing any nuance with the subject matter.  
One of Our Own by Lucinda Berry

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

3.5

Well, this was gruelling. Great audio production, really brings the story to life, which makes it even harder to get through. This can be a triggering read, so please be careful. I can’t quite fathom the inhumanity and cruelty of young people in America. The utter lack of empathy, the need to mock and belittle people when they’re down. Kids can be cruel, but American kids—especially in pop culture—are a whole other level. Anyway, this is a gut wrenching and sad and angering read. But at least one where justice is served, which is unfortunately not what happens in the majority of cases. 
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The Crash by Freida McFadden

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dark tense medium-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

3.5

Wow, this was tense and intense. Really stressful stuff. I’m not a fan of stories where a pregnant woman is in peril, and it’s a trope that comes up a lot in stories. It’s not an easy or light read here; but it works. How one person can have that much bad luck is also weird, but it works for story purposes. Was expecting a bigger punch with the epilogue twist—a trademark of the writer—but it’s easy to figure out. 

You can’t really enjoy this book. But it’s riveting if quite a lot darker than her other work. 
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The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

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mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I didn’t hate this book. It was fun to read. But it’s really odd. 

It’s less inspired by Fleetwood Mac and Mary Shelley’s stories than it is repurposing them. The story should reflect or hint at parts of legendary tales, it shouldn’t feel like a poor knock off. I mean, even some of the names are copies—Mari instead of Mary, Pierce Sheldon instead of Percy Shelley, Jonny and not John William. Mari even has a stepsister, just like Mary, and both have a relationship with a toxic older rock star type. I mean, be a tad original, especially with such an iconic story. I don’t know the details of Fleetwood Mac’s story—more of an overview, but I’m certain there are just as many similarities in this book. 

Another thing that irked me was the queerbaiting. Don’t dangle it like a carrot and then not address it or weave it in. Gay people exist. Gay relationships exist. Don’t try to be edgy and interesting by hinting at something going on when you don’t want to actually include it in the work. 

Most of the book was intriguing enough to keep reading, but the third act really jumped the shark. It went to such ludicrous places—no one would believe the things Chess supposedly did. I mean, yeah, sure Jan. Also, the final twist was unnecessary. Thrown in there as an add-on. Didn’t work for me.

This is definitely worth a read. And if the author has other books in this vein, I’m all for it. But needs to be more original with the characters’ stories. 
The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I tried. I mean, this is a great writer and I’ve read some of his other work. I was all for getting into the story but jeez, it never seemed to get past the male protagonist lusting over another woman. And it seemed like he was travelling in time and lusting after his 16-year-old friend when he’s 40. It would have been fine were these feelings there when they were both the same age, but super ick when he’s being a pedo. I’m sure this book got better, but I gave up. 
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu

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

1.0

I liked 2/3rds of this book. I loved the format — it’s written almost completely as a script, which makes sense given the author is known for TV work. The premise is also fascinating — a multi-generational Chinese-American family looking to make it in the entertainment industry. It’s hard, mostly because of racism and stereotyping. I found that interesting. 

But then, the book introduces a romance and it totally loses the plot. Why is Karen Lee interested in Willis Wu, when he’s so insecure and frankly petulant about how she gets opportunities that he can’t? He’s a walking red flag but she still continues the relationship, marries him and has a child. What? And then he’s never there for her and abandons his family. I’m sorry, when did we take a left turn to cliche town? 

What irked me the most was the denouement. I understand what the author is trying to say — there are some people who are automatically considered to be American (white European diaspora), while others — like the Chinese — aren’t, even when the latter have been in America for longer. We get it. And we also get that it needs to be said. But why is the Black community thrown under the bus to make this point? I’m not saying this book leans into Asian racism towards Black people, but let’s be honest here, don’t use the suffering of the Black community as a yard stick for your suffering. Point the finger at who’s causing the suffering not at your fellow victims. Absolutely ridiculous. Left me with a terrible feeling for this book. 

I wanted to like this book but I couldn’t by the end. So frustrating.