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mstall_'s reviews
247 reviews
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
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? It's complicated
5.0
Liz Moore can do no wrong in my eyes.
I absolutely loved Long Bright River and was so excited to stumble upon her newest book The God of The Woods and let me tell you it did not disappoint. This is a solid 5 stars from me for its beautiful yet palatable prose, sweeping family drama, great character development and well defined time jumps.
The God of The Woods on the surface is a missing persons story -- but it will not read like an airport bookstore thriller. It is pure literary fiction (yes you can have thriller elements in literary fiction!) so if you are like some of the many reviewers who want quick thrills this will not be the book for you.
If, however, you love grand stories that span generations that are expertly woven into a narrative that keeps you hooked from the moment you open the book -- you'll love TGOTW.
The story opens in 1975 at a summer camp in the Adirondack mountains. A camper, Barbara, from the wealthy family that owns the camp has gone missing and her disappearance eerily mimics her brother Bear's disappearance almost fifteen years earlier. As the search deepens we are taken back in time to see the unraveling of this wealthy family that started decades before Bear and Barbara went missing.
At it's core, TGOTW is a story about class, gender, privilege, sacrifice, retribution and resolve. Highly recommend.
I absolutely loved Long Bright River and was so excited to stumble upon her newest book The God of The Woods and let me tell you it did not disappoint. This is a solid 5 stars from me for its beautiful yet palatable prose, sweeping family drama, great character development and well defined time jumps.
The God of The Woods on the surface is a missing persons story -- but it will not read like an airport bookstore thriller. It is pure literary fiction (yes you can have thriller elements in literary fiction!) so if you are like some of the many reviewers who want quick thrills this will not be the book for you.
If, however, you love grand stories that span generations that are expertly woven into a narrative that keeps you hooked from the moment you open the book -- you'll love TGOTW.
The story opens in 1975 at a summer camp in the Adirondack mountains. A camper, Barbara, from the wealthy family that owns the camp has gone missing and her disappearance eerily mimics her brother Bear's disappearance almost fifteen years earlier. As the search deepens we are taken back in time to see the unraveling of this wealthy family that started decades before Bear and Barbara went missing.
At it's core, TGOTW is a story about class, gender, privilege, sacrifice, retribution and resolve. Highly recommend.
The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I picked this book up randomly at a local bookstore because I love a locked room mystery. A group of students from a prestigious Japanese university become stranded on an abandoned island. The group is part of the Universities Mystery Club and they see the excursion as a great excuse to write new material for the Mystery Club magazine. One by one, however, they begin to die leading the rest of the group to become more and more fearful (and suspicious) of each other.
I thought this was a great book! I didn't see the twist coming which is always so fun. There were some things that were a bit muddled in the translation (like the "plates", I think they meant plaques or signs) but overall I really enjoyed the book. A fun, interesting read.
I thought this was a great book! I didn't see the twist coming which is always so fun. There were some things that were a bit muddled in the translation (like the "plates", I think they meant plaques or signs) but overall I really enjoyed the book. A fun, interesting read.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
If Saltburn and A Midsummer Nights Dream had a baby, it would be this book.
On the coast of Devon (I think??) there is a new luxury resort opening up and only the rich and elite are invited. The rest of the community is enraged because this luxury resort has upset jobs, housing markets, and other small businesses. During the opening weekend the locals and the yuppies will build into a crescendo together until something (or someone) explodes.
I listened to this as an audio book and we all know I am a notorious audio book hater but this was pretty good. My library had like a 16 week wait for the hardback, and a part of me wishes I had just waited because it was hard to understand the story in the beginning just by listening to the narration. Overall I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a good summer thriller.
On the coast of Devon (I think??) there is a new luxury resort opening up and only the rich and elite are invited. The rest of the community is enraged because this luxury resort has upset jobs, housing markets, and other small businesses. During the opening weekend the locals and the yuppies will build into a crescendo together until something (or someone) explodes.
I listened to this as an audio book and we all know I am a notorious audio book hater but this was pretty good. My library had like a 16 week wait for the hardback, and a part of me wishes I had just waited because it was hard to understand the story in the beginning just by listening to the narration. Overall I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a good summer thriller.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Middle of The Night was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 and while it wasn't what I expected, I don't think it was necessarily bad.
We join a forty something year old Ethan at his childhood home in Hemlock Circle, New Jersey, where thirty years ago his best friend was taken from the tent they both slept in one summer night. Billy's disappearance has gone unsolved all of these years, and as Ethan settles back into life at Hemlock circle, he finds himself getting pulled back into finding out what happened to his friend.
Part mystery, part coming of age, part tragedy, this book is the perfect summer read. It's one of the most realistically human stories Riley Sager has written, which surprisingly was somewhat of a let down by the end of the book. However, I think it's still worth reading.
We join a forty something year old Ethan at his childhood home in Hemlock Circle, New Jersey, where thirty years ago his best friend was taken from the tent they both slept in one summer night. Billy's disappearance has gone unsolved all of these years, and as Ethan settles back into life at Hemlock circle, he finds himself getting pulled back into finding out what happened to his friend.
Part mystery, part coming of age, part tragedy, this book is the perfect summer read. It's one of the most realistically human stories Riley Sager has written, which surprisingly was somewhat of a let down by the end of the book. However, I think it's still worth reading.
The Wilds by Sarah Pearse
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Wilds by Sarah Pearse is the third and final installment in the Elin Warner detective series. Pearse's books all contain a hypnotic storytelling that sucks you in from the first page and The Wilds is no exception.
We follow Det. Elin Warner as she and her brother Isaac vacation in the Portugal national park. While there, Isaac discloses that he had an ulterior motive for coming to the park: he is looking for the missing sister of his friend Penn, an artist named Keir. As Elin and Isaac dive deeper and deeper into their search they realize there is more to this story than just a missing person.
The book moves back and forth between Elin's perspective and Keir's and this coupled with the short chapters makes this book fly by!
Overall I thought the story was well plotted and the writing was superb. I genuinely didn't see some of the twists coming, although it was fairly easy to know that something was not as it seemed. I am saddened that this is the final book in the series, as I would have liked to watch Elin grow more and more into herself. I am looking forward to reading whatever Pearse writes next
We follow Det. Elin Warner as she and her brother Isaac vacation in the Portugal national park. While there, Isaac discloses that he had an ulterior motive for coming to the park: he is looking for the missing sister of his friend Penn, an artist named Keir. As Elin and Isaac dive deeper and deeper into their search they realize there is more to this story than just a missing person.
The book moves back and forth between Elin's perspective and Keir's and this coupled with the short chapters makes this book fly by!
Overall I thought the story was well plotted and the writing was superb. I genuinely didn't see some of the twists coming, although it was fairly easy to know that something was not as it seemed. I am saddened that this is the final book in the series, as I would have liked to watch Elin grow more and more into herself. I am looking forward to reading whatever Pearse writes next
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
I had high hopes for this book, but alas it had the same issues as her previous book on cults which made me DNF. Amanda's books always start out so strong -- i loved the first 20% of this book -- and then they start to devolve into personal anecdotes so much so that we're just reading about Amanda's personal experience with brief mentions of any actual science. It's so frustrating because the premise of this book is phenomenal but in reality I felt like I was just reading another of her biographies. Also, she mentions all these studies but never cites them in text. Maybe there is a reference section in the back of the book but even if so, how the hell am I supposed to find and read these mentioned research studies in the back if they're not cited in the text??
Started out great, then got really sloppy. Bummer.
Started out great, then got really sloppy. Bummer.
The Unwedding by Ally Condie
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Huh, for a Reese's book of the month pic I was expecting something quiet different. The Unwedding takes place at a luxury resort set against the brutal and beautiful cliffs of Big Sur, California. Ellery, a newly divorced mother of 3, decides to go on what would have been her twentieth wedding anniversary trip alone to the resort. While there she stumbles upon the body of a man one who just hours earlier was preparing to get married. When a freak storm rolls through, trapping everyone at the resort, Ellery and other guests work to figure out if they are trapped with a killer.
The book started strong and I loved the premise -- a locked room-esq story but set on the cliffs of California? Amazing idea! Unfortunately as the story went on I found myself feeling so annoyed at Ellery and her backstory. We're led to believe that Ellery has some huge dark secret in her past and when its fully revealed its so lack luster. Sure, it's tragic, but it's not something you'd need to like keep secret from others. Other readers have mentioned they didn't like how everything was revealed in the end and I agree. All this build up just to have everything told to us in one big narrative. It was boring and honestly I was just skimming as fast as I could to get through it.
Overall 3/5 stars
The book started strong and I loved the premise -- a locked room-esq story but set on the cliffs of California? Amazing idea! Unfortunately as the story went on I found myself feeling so annoyed at Ellery and her backstory. We're led to believe that Ellery has some huge dark secret in her past and when its fully revealed its so lack luster. Sure, it's tragic, but it's not something you'd need to like keep secret from others. Other readers have mentioned they didn't like how everything was revealed in the end and I agree. All this build up just to have everything told to us in one big narrative. It was boring and honestly I was just skimming as fast as I could to get through it.
Overall 3/5 stars
Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom is a heartfelt, witchy story set in Willow Root, Texas that centers on the Merriweather family. The Merriweather matriarch, Grandma Maddie, is pretty sure about two things: they were once witches and every man they love dies. Cordelia (Delia) Merriweather is trying to find her place in the world when Max Halifax takes up residence next door. Max knows the secret of the Merriweathers -- they are witches but they've been hexed over the centuries by none other than his own ancestor. He is tasked with making sure Delia, the Blue Witch, doesn't break the hex before her 30th birthday. No one told him that he'd also have to navigate his growing feelings for her too.
I had a really fun time reading Hot Hex Boyfriend. I loved getting to drop into this little witchy town and learn about the magic system and the history of the Merriweathers. I was pleasantly surprised that the book didn't go through the same cycles as other books in this genre and that most conflict was handled really quickly and smoothly. It feels like the PERFECT cozy witchy book to read on a blustery day (although right now its 89 degrees out). I hope the author writes more Willow Root witch books but as of now it seems like this is a standalone story.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I had a really fun time reading Hot Hex Boyfriend. I loved getting to drop into this little witchy town and learn about the magic system and the history of the Merriweathers. I was pleasantly surprised that the book didn't go through the same cycles as other books in this genre and that most conflict was handled really quickly and smoothly. It feels like the PERFECT cozy witchy book to read on a blustery day (although right now its 89 degrees out). I hope the author writes more Willow Root witch books but as of now it seems like this is a standalone story.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I DNF'd this book a few years ago because I could just not get into it. However, I decided to pick it back up and am happy to say that overall I really liked it.
The book explores January Andrews life after her father passes away suddenly and she finds out he's been having an affair for years. What she thought was her once perfect life is now shattered and she is tasked with packing up his lakehouse that he shared with his mistress. January is sure nothing can get worse, until she shows up and realizes her college nemesis, Gus Everett, lives smack dad next door.
Overall I thought the story was funny, sweet and hit all the classic rom com moments you'd expect. I hate it, however, when the third act break up is due to a stupid miscommunication that would have been easily solved if people just talked to one another. Seriously its my biggest book pet peeve and Beach Read is no different. Lots of assumptions, no one asking questions, classic.
Overall it was fine, but definitely not my favorite Emily Henry book. 3.75 out of 5 stars.
The book explores January Andrews life after her father passes away suddenly and she finds out he's been having an affair for years. What she thought was her once perfect life is now shattered and she is tasked with packing up his lakehouse that he shared with his mistress. January is sure nothing can get worse, until she shows up and realizes her college nemesis, Gus Everett, lives smack dad next door.
Overall I thought the story was funny, sweet and hit all the classic rom com moments you'd expect. I hate it, however, when the third act break up is due to a stupid miscommunication that would have been easily solved if people just talked to one another. Seriously its my biggest book pet peeve and Beach Read is no different. Lots of assumptions, no one asking questions, classic.
Overall it was fine, but definitely not my favorite Emily Henry book. 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Perfume and Pain by Anna Dorn
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0