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penguinna's reviews
319 reviews
Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
emotional
sad
fast-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? N/A
2.0
Before you see the rating and close this review, let me tell you that I love, love, love the movie. It is one of my all-time favorite movies, and needless to say, I was incredibly excited to read this book!
However, this book should not exist. And I mean that literally: the book was written AFTER the movie, not the other way around, as we’re used to! And that’s its biggest issue.
In movies, we expect not to know the thoughts and feelings of the characters. We observe them from a distance, guessing their motives, much like we do with people in real life. In books, it’s the opposite: we’re used to seeing the inner dialogues of the characters, understanding their motivations, and enjoying vivid descriptions of their mixed emotions.
But this book is just like a movie: it simply describes what is happening on screen. No thoughts, no feelings, no rich descriptions.
The vibrant spirit of the boys and Mr. Keating's inspiring passion in the movie fade into lifeless, two-dimensional characters on the page. The book feels rushed and dull, and, more than that, you feel no connection to the characters.
I cried my eyes out watching the movie, and it stayed with me for a year. But I felt nothing when reading the book.
My advice: don’t read it. Ever. But if you haven’t seen Dead Poets Society yet, watch it as soon as possible. It’s absolutely perfect for a gloomy autumn mood.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
However, this book should not exist. And I mean that literally: the book was written AFTER the movie, not the other way around, as we’re used to! And that’s its biggest issue.
In movies, we expect not to know the thoughts and feelings of the characters. We observe them from a distance, guessing their motives, much like we do with people in real life. In books, it’s the opposite: we’re used to seeing the inner dialogues of the characters, understanding their motivations, and enjoying vivid descriptions of their mixed emotions.
But this book is just like a movie: it simply describes what is happening on screen. No thoughts, no feelings, no rich descriptions.
The vibrant spirit of the boys and Mr. Keating's inspiring passion in the movie fade into lifeless, two-dimensional characters on the page. The book feels rushed and dull, and, more than that, you feel no connection to the characters.
I cried my eyes out watching the movie, and it stayed with me for a year. But I felt nothing when reading the book.
My advice: don’t read it. Ever. But if you haven’t seen Dead Poets Society yet, watch it as soon as possible. It’s absolutely perfect for a gloomy autumn mood.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Everybody knows the main spoiler: Raskolnikov, a former student, murders an old pawnbroker and her sister with an axe. However, this is just the beginning. He must live with the guilt, paranoia, and horror, all while questioning whether he did the right thing.
Raskolnikov is obsessed with a (disgusting) theory that there are two classes of people: the average ones – the Lice – and the extraordinary ones – the Napoleons – who are allowed to commit murder in order to remove obstacles to higher goals.
Of course, he is certain that he belongs to the extraordinary class and has the right to decide who deserves to live. But when he starts losing his sanity after murdering the two women, he realizes he was wrong – not because he regrets the murders, but because he understands that he is “average,” a Louse.
The men in this book are despicable. Luzhin, the fiancé of Raskolnikov’s sister, wants to marry a poor young woman so he can enjoy having power over her. Marmeladov, a drunkard, has squandered his family’s little wealth. Svidrigaïlov, a rich pedophile, ruins lives and justifies his vile behavior. These men are so full of sin and filth that I found myself questioning how Dostoevsky could create such revolting characters. And all of them mirror Raskolnikov, representing his worst qualities.
The women in this book are the opposite. Sonya, Marmeladov’s teenage daughter, has become a prostitute to support her family. Dunya, Raskolnikov’s sister – my favorite character – refuses to compromise her values under any circumstances. Both women are incredibly strong, but in different ways. They also mirror Raskolnikov’s qualities, but the good ones, buried deep within him.
Crime and Punishment, with its powerful metaphors, heavy themes, and incredibly complex characters, is a timeless classic that will haunt you forever. A perfect read for autumn, huh?
Did I murder the old woman? I murdered myself, not her! I crushed myself once and for all, forever.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Raskolnikov is obsessed with a (disgusting) theory that there are two classes of people: the average ones – the Lice – and the extraordinary ones – the Napoleons – who are allowed to commit murder in order to remove obstacles to higher goals.
Of course, he is certain that he belongs to the extraordinary class and has the right to decide who deserves to live. But when he starts losing his sanity after murdering the two women, he realizes he was wrong – not because he regrets the murders, but because he understands that he is “average,” a Louse.
The men in this book are despicable. Luzhin, the fiancé of Raskolnikov’s sister, wants to marry a poor young woman so he can enjoy having power over her. Marmeladov, a drunkard, has squandered his family’s little wealth. Svidrigaïlov, a rich pedophile, ruins lives and justifies his vile behavior. These men are so full of sin and filth that I found myself questioning how Dostoevsky could create such revolting characters. And all of them mirror Raskolnikov, representing his worst qualities.
The women in this book are the opposite. Sonya, Marmeladov’s teenage daughter, has become a prostitute to support her family. Dunya, Raskolnikov’s sister – my favorite character – refuses to compromise her values under any circumstances. Both women are incredibly strong, but in different ways. They also mirror Raskolnikov’s qualities, but the good ones, buried deep within him.
Crime and Punishment, with its powerful metaphors, heavy themes, and incredibly complex characters, is a timeless classic that will haunt you forever. A perfect read for autumn, huh?
Did I murder the old woman? I murdered myself, not her! I crushed myself once and for all, forever.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Beloved by Toni Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
This book will scare you to death. It will make you shiver like no horror book ever has. Because this story is real. And it hurts.
Post-Civil War Ohio. The main character, Sethe, has escaped slavery and endured unimaginable horrors to achieve her freedom. Many years later, she lives in Cincinnati with her mother-in-law, her daughter, and the ghost of a baby girl who bled to death in Sethe’s arms – Beloved.
When Paul D, a fellow slave from the Sweet Home plantation in Kentucky, arrives at Sethe’s home, they try to build a future together without confronting the past they shared many years ago. Paul D keeps his red, red heart in a tobacco tin he wears around his neck. And above all, he is terrified of opening it.
The writing style of this book is a treasure. Every character in the story – Sethe, Paul D, grandmother Baby Suggs (holy), Sixo, Halle, and Stamp Paid – has gone through hell during their years of slavery. None of them wants to talk about it, and none of them wants to relive it, even in their memories. As a reader, you are desperate to know what happened in the past, what it is they barely mention, and you're unsure if they'll ever reveal it. But they always do. And when they do, you wish they hadn’t.
This book hurts. A lot. I thought I would finish its 275 pages in one sitting, but it took me almost a month. The raw truth about the horrors of slavery is too much to bear. I had to stop reading countless times because I couldn’t continue. I was too scared of the unforgivable horrors the characters were yet to face.
This book is excellent. It is a pure masterpiece that everyone must read. However, it’s one of those books that are hard to recommend. Beloved will stay with me forever, in my own tobacco tin, kept close to my heart.
Beloved
You are my sister
You are my daughter
You are my face; you are me
I have found you again; you have come back to me
You are my beloved
You are mine
You are mine
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Post-Civil War Ohio. The main character, Sethe, has escaped slavery and endured unimaginable horrors to achieve her freedom. Many years later, she lives in Cincinnati with her mother-in-law, her daughter, and the ghost of a baby girl who bled to death in Sethe’s arms – Beloved.
When Paul D, a fellow slave from the Sweet Home plantation in Kentucky, arrives at Sethe’s home, they try to build a future together without confronting the past they shared many years ago. Paul D keeps his red, red heart in a tobacco tin he wears around his neck. And above all, he is terrified of opening it.
The writing style of this book is a treasure. Every character in the story – Sethe, Paul D, grandmother Baby Suggs (holy), Sixo, Halle, and Stamp Paid – has gone through hell during their years of slavery. None of them wants to talk about it, and none of them wants to relive it, even in their memories. As a reader, you are desperate to know what happened in the past, what it is they barely mention, and you're unsure if they'll ever reveal it. But they always do. And when they do, you wish they hadn’t.
This book hurts. A lot. I thought I would finish its 275 pages in one sitting, but it took me almost a month. The raw truth about the horrors of slavery is too much to bear. I had to stop reading countless times because I couldn’t continue. I was too scared of the unforgivable horrors the characters were yet to face.
This book is excellent. It is a pure masterpiece that everyone must read. However, it’s one of those books that are hard to recommend. Beloved will stay with me forever, in my own tobacco tin, kept close to my heart.
Beloved
You are my sister
You are my daughter
You are my face; you are me
I have found you again; you have come back to me
You are my beloved
You are mine
You are mine
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-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
5.0
– Is it Rilla-my-Rilla?
– Yeth.
After the previous two Anne books, which I rated with 2 and 1 stars, I had very low expectations for the final installment of the series. However, Rilla of Ingleside has become my favorite book among all eight!
Rilla Blythe, the youngest daughter of Anne and Gilbert, is now 15. Like any other teenage girl, she is carefree, cheerful, and in love. The most horrible event of her life had been a failed moonlight party – until World War I broke out.
All the Blythe boys, all sons of Anne and Gilbert, along with one of their daughters, leave to fight for Canada and their freedom. The loud troublemakers we’ve followed from birth in the previous books are now getting their first strands of white hair. And tragically, some of them never return from the war.
Carefree young Rilla becomes a strong woman in no time. She takes in an orphaned soldier’s baby, whom she finds nearly dead in an empty soup bowl, and organizes charity events to support those fighting at the front. Rilla takes care of her mother when the most heartbreaking news comes to Ingleside, and she becomes an adult in the blink of an eye.
Rilla reminded me so much of young Anne – they share so many wonderful traits of character. At the beginning of the book, she also reminded me of the young Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind in the way she approached life. Rilla has such a bright personality; having her as the main character felt like a breath of fresh air after the previous two books, in which I couldn’t relate to anyone.
Rilla of Ingleside is a book about coming of age during a war, losing someone dear to you multiple times. It is about grief and support, life and death, love, and the enduring hope that the people you love are safe and sound.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
– Yeth.
After the previous two Anne books, which I rated with 2 and 1 stars, I had very low expectations for the final installment of the series. However, Rilla of Ingleside has become my favorite book among all eight!
Rilla Blythe, the youngest daughter of Anne and Gilbert, is now 15. Like any other teenage girl, she is carefree, cheerful, and in love. The most horrible event of her life had been a failed moonlight party – until World War I broke out.
All the Blythe boys, all sons of Anne and Gilbert, along with one of their daughters, leave to fight for Canada and their freedom. The loud troublemakers we’ve followed from birth in the previous books are now getting their first strands of white hair. And tragically, some of them never return from the war.
Carefree young Rilla becomes a strong woman in no time. She takes in an orphaned soldier’s baby, whom she finds nearly dead in an empty soup bowl, and organizes charity events to support those fighting at the front. Rilla takes care of her mother when the most heartbreaking news comes to Ingleside, and she becomes an adult in the blink of an eye.
Rilla reminded me so much of young Anne – they share so many wonderful traits of character. At the beginning of the book, she also reminded me of the young Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind in the way she approached life. Rilla has such a bright personality; having her as the main character felt like a breath of fresh air after the previous two books, in which I couldn’t relate to anyone.
Rilla of Ingleside is a book about coming of age during a war, losing someone dear to you multiple times. It is about grief and support, life and death, love, and the enduring hope that the people you love are safe and sound.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
11/22/63 by Stephen King
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
Jake, an English teacher, is aimlessly drifting through life when his dying friend Al asks him for a favor. There is a portal in Al’s diner that always transports whoever enters it to September 9, 1958. Persuaded by Al, Jake decides to step into the past with a mission: to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy and thereby change the future for the better.
In the enchanting Land of Ago, root beer tastes like heaven, gorgeous cars cruise down empty roads, and a full tank of gas costs only $2. However, there is a flip side to the coin: racism and sexism are rampant, and no one has yet thought to worry about the environment.
Jake must live in the past for five whole years, until November 22, 1963. He travels across America and, along the way, changes the lives of people he knows in 2011, saving them from the terrible fates that once shattered their lives. He also visits Derry, encounters other characters from King’s universe, and meets Sadie, the love of his life, who has her own burdens to bear.
But nothing is as simple as it seems: the past strives for harmony, stubbornly resisting any attempts to alter it. It fights back against Jake’s every action, bringing pain and danger to those closest to him.
I was afraid this book would be filled with intricate politics and tedious historical details. Instead, it is full of vivid descriptions, complex characters you genuinely care about, thrilling adventures, and tough moral dilemmas. I worried about being let down by the ending, but that fear was unfounded – it couldn’t have been more perfect.
The book is quite lengthy, but I hardly noticed as I read it. The chapters are short and full of action, making it impossible to resist turning the next page to find out what happens next. 11/22/63 raises deep philosophical questions: who are we to challenge the past, how do we impact the lives of others, and how can the flap of a butterfly’s wing cause a hurricane on the other side of the world?
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
In the enchanting Land of Ago, root beer tastes like heaven, gorgeous cars cruise down empty roads, and a full tank of gas costs only $2. However, there is a flip side to the coin: racism and sexism are rampant, and no one has yet thought to worry about the environment.
Jake must live in the past for five whole years, until November 22, 1963. He travels across America and, along the way, changes the lives of people he knows in 2011, saving them from the terrible fates that once shattered their lives. He also visits Derry, encounters other characters from King’s universe, and meets Sadie, the love of his life, who has her own burdens to bear.
But nothing is as simple as it seems: the past strives for harmony, stubbornly resisting any attempts to alter it. It fights back against Jake’s every action, bringing pain and danger to those closest to him.
I was afraid this book would be filled with intricate politics and tedious historical details. Instead, it is full of vivid descriptions, complex characters you genuinely care about, thrilling adventures, and tough moral dilemmas. I worried about being let down by the ending, but that fear was unfounded – it couldn’t have been more perfect.
The book is quite lengthy, but I hardly noticed as I read it. The chapters are short and full of action, making it impossible to resist turning the next page to find out what happens next. 11/22/63 raises deep philosophical questions: who are we to challenge the past, how do we impact the lives of others, and how can the flap of a butterfly’s wing cause a hurricane on the other side of the world?
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Remember Anne of Green Gables? Good for you, because I can barely recall who she is. The previous book mostly focused on her family, and this one is even worse – even her children are almost never mentioned.
Rainbow Valley revolves around the children of the new minister in Glen St. Mary. John Meredith is a widower who couldn’t care less about his children. He doesn’t know where they are or what they’re doing; they’re always hungry and dressed in rags. He didn’t even notice when a homeless girl lived in his house for a month. The four children have no idea how to behave and end up punishing themselves for bad behavior while their father daydreams about god.
How do the children know their behavior is bad? Simple: gossip, gossip, gossip. Gossip makes up 90% of this book, leaving almost no room for a plot. The people of Glen St. Mary provide a perfect example of Othering – they believe they’re good and destined for heaven because they pray, attend church, and do charity, while the “others” are horrible because they don’t go to church often enough, don’t wear socks, or, worst of all, are Methodists or even atheists. Every single sentence is about praising god and forcing everyone to be “good” to ensure a spot in heaven, even if this doesn’t make anyone happy.
I understand that those were different times, and I made a genuine effort to read this book through the lens of the 19th century. However, my patience has its limits. Rainbow Valley is a book filled with hatred and judgment, where no one is accepted unless they are perfect Christians. People put themselves into religious frames, not allowing themselves to make mistakes and hating everyone who does. Even a child.
Additionally, the last few books about Anne have become a celebration of patriarchy, and I have so much to say about this that it deserves a separate post.
I couldn’t stand Rainbow Valley. It’s the worst book in the entire series, and also the worst book I’ve read this year. But the good news is that I only have one book left, and I really, really hope it’s going to be better.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Rainbow Valley revolves around the children of the new minister in Glen St. Mary. John Meredith is a widower who couldn’t care less about his children. He doesn’t know where they are or what they’re doing; they’re always hungry and dressed in rags. He didn’t even notice when a homeless girl lived in his house for a month. The four children have no idea how to behave and end up punishing themselves for bad behavior while their father daydreams about god.
How do the children know their behavior is bad? Simple: gossip, gossip, gossip. Gossip makes up 90% of this book, leaving almost no room for a plot. The people of Glen St. Mary provide a perfect example of Othering – they believe they’re good and destined for heaven because they pray, attend church, and do charity, while the “others” are horrible because they don’t go to church often enough, don’t wear socks, or, worst of all, are Methodists or even atheists. Every single sentence is about praising god and forcing everyone to be “good” to ensure a spot in heaven, even if this doesn’t make anyone happy.
I understand that those were different times, and I made a genuine effort to read this book through the lens of the 19th century. However, my patience has its limits. Rainbow Valley is a book filled with hatred and judgment, where no one is accepted unless they are perfect Christians. People put themselves into religious frames, not allowing themselves to make mistakes and hating everyone who does. Even a child.
Additionally, the last few books about Anne have become a celebration of patriarchy, and I have so much to say about this that it deserves a separate post.
I couldn’t stand Rainbow Valley. It’s the worst book in the entire series, and also the worst book I’ve read this year. But the good news is that I only have one book left, and I really, really hope it’s going to be better.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
After reading the blurb about a violinist in one of my favorite cities – Venice – I was very excited. However, it took me three months to finish this book, and for much of that time, I had to force myself to continue.
The writing style mirrors the main character perfectly. Anna Maria della Pietà is dry, cold, dark, and bold. As an unwanted child, she was pushed through a hole into Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for girls where they were taught music.
Anna Maria is filled with ruthless determination to become the best musician the world has ever known. Undoubtedly, she has talent – she can see notes in colors, and Maestro Antonio Vivaldi notices her. A strong female main character – what more could I ask for?
However, Anna Maria is not a lovable character: she consistently chooses herself over her friends, even when they need her most. I tried to admire her confidence and self-assuredness, but in the end, I could only feel disdain. She always gets what she wants at the expense of those who love her, and is always forgiven after a dry apology. She never faces any significant challenges, except for Vivaldi not mentioning her as a co-author. Anna Maria feels vengeful towards him, but the climax of the story – the revenge – felt rushed and weak to me.
The Instrumentalist is billed as historical fiction, and I feel upset that Anna Maria is presented as a villain. The author herself said that there is little evidence about Anna Maria’s life and that she wanted to tell her story, sometimes imagining things. Unfortunately, after this book, Anna Maria will not be remembered as a virtuous musician but as a tough, cruel, and unlikable person.
I feel very sad that I disliked this book because Anna Maria’s story had so much potential.
Expected publication: August 15, 2024. Thank you to Tandem Global for providing the ARC.
⚡ More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
The writing style mirrors the main character perfectly. Anna Maria della Pietà is dry, cold, dark, and bold. As an unwanted child, she was pushed through a hole into Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for girls where they were taught music.
Anna Maria is filled with ruthless determination to become the best musician the world has ever known. Undoubtedly, she has talent – she can see notes in colors, and Maestro Antonio Vivaldi notices her. A strong female main character – what more could I ask for?
However, Anna Maria is not a lovable character: she consistently chooses herself over her friends, even when they need her most. I tried to admire her confidence and self-assuredness, but in the end, I could only feel disdain. She always gets what she wants at the expense of those who love her, and is always forgiven after a dry apology. She never faces any significant challenges, except for Vivaldi not mentioning her as a co-author. Anna Maria feels vengeful towards him, but the climax of the story – the revenge – felt rushed and weak to me.
The Instrumentalist is billed as historical fiction, and I feel upset that Anna Maria is presented as a villain. The author herself said that there is little evidence about Anna Maria’s life and that she wanted to tell her story, sometimes imagining things. Unfortunately, after this book, Anna Maria will not be remembered as a virtuous musician but as a tough, cruel, and unlikable person.
I feel very sad that I disliked this book because Anna Maria’s story had so much potential.
Expected publication: August 15, 2024. Thank you to Tandem Global for providing the ARC.
⚡ More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I took this book on vacation, expecting a light-hearted romance that would create butterflies in my stomach while I ate ice cream by the seaside on a hot summer day. What I did not expect was a profound exploration of grief that resonated so deeply with me.
What the blurb says:
An overworked book publicist, Clementine, meets Iwan, a perfect young man living in the past in her apartment, full of enthusiasm to fulfill his dreams of becoming a chef in New York.
What the blurb does not say:
Clementine lost her aunt Analea six months ago. Analea left Clementine her apartment, which sometimes takes you seven years back in time. Analea was vibrant and adventurous – dancing in the rain in front of the Louvre, backpacking through Europe, laughing while being chased by a walrus in Norway. She was full of life and love. Then, six months ago, she suddenly ended her life on New Year's Eve.
I expected a cheesy love story with a touch of magical realism, but instead, I received an incredible narrative about grieving the loss of a loved one and starting anew. This is a story of how we all change over time, how time heals us and makes us stronger. It is a story about finding happiness and the importance of discovering your true self. This book is a time capsule, reminding us that we all live here and now, and there will never be another day like today.
The Seven Year Slip is like a warm hug in the kitchen of a small, cozy New York apartment that smells like lemon pie. This book is quiet and clandestine, making you want to hide in its pages and paint them with watercolors on a stuffy summer night, with pigeons cooing on your windowsill under the moonlight.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Anne of Green Gables, the bold, funny girl with a strong character, is gone forever. Now she is a secondary character in her own book.
“Anne of Ingleside” is not about Anne. It is about her six children instead, and each of them has their own spotlight story:
▪️ Jem deals with the loss of a pet.
▪️ Walter is convinced by an older boy that his mother is dying.
▪️ Nan is deceived by a lying friend into thinking she was switched at birth.
▪️ Di is burned by trusting the wrong girls with her friendship.
▪️ Rilla somehow gets the idea that it is shameful to be seen carrying a cake, so she sinks it in a brook.
▪️ Shirley is... underrepresented.
Anne's only role in this book is to be the perfect mother who comforts her children after their adventures. It is very sad for me that such a funny, imaginative, curious, and brave character – who was also the first woman in Avonlea to get higher education and become a school headmaster – is now just a blurred spot in the background.
I only have two books left, so I will continue the series, but it’s disheartening to see what is happening to Anne 🙁
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
“Anne of Ingleside” is not about Anne. It is about her six children instead, and each of them has their own spotlight story:
▪️ Jem deals with the loss of a pet.
▪️ Walter is convinced by an older boy that his mother is dying.
▪️ Nan is deceived by a lying friend into thinking she was switched at birth.
▪️ Di is burned by trusting the wrong girls with her friendship.
▪️ Rilla somehow gets the idea that it is shameful to be seen carrying a cake, so she sinks it in a brook.
▪️ Shirley is... underrepresented.
Anne's only role in this book is to be the perfect mother who comforts her children after their adventures. It is very sad for me that such a funny, imaginative, curious, and brave character – who was also the first woman in Avonlea to get higher education and become a school headmaster – is now just a blurred spot in the background.
I only have two books left, so I will continue the series, but it’s disheartening to see what is happening to Anne 🙁
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I spent my entire childhood reading R.L. Stine’s Fear Street Saga, filled with plot twists and thrills for teenagers. Perhaps that’s why The Housemaid Is Watching by McFadden fell flat for me: I managed to predict the plot twist in the first book, and I guessed the twist in detail in this one.
Millie and Enzo, from the previous Housemaid books, are now a decade older. They have two children and have just bought a house on Long Island. However, their neighbors give them the creeps.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝:
▪️ From Part 2 onwards, the book is super fast-paced and impossible to put down.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐝:
▪️ Everything else. Part 1 was so extremely boring I couldn't stand it. It was just everyday life with NOTHING happening.
▪️ I lost count how many times Millie mentioned how sexy her husband is and how many biceps-triceps-velociraptors he has. Eye rolling 25 times per second.
▪️ The portrayal of women as enemies to each other is just eeew 🤢
▪️ The most boring characters ever, I felt NOTHING about them.
▪️ Millie’s reaction to suspecting Enzo of cheating was a mere “okay”. Seriously, Millie?
▪️ Many facts are mentioned several times throughout the book, like yeah, I got it the first six times, can we move on? Please??
▪️ Ada’s words to a schoolboy at the end were a huge shiny facepalm 🤦🏻
The biggest disappointment: I knew the murderer(s) from the very beginning. Despite the endless red herrings, I wasn’t confused. Maybe I’m a thriller veteran, but McFadden’s books are the only ones where I can predict the plot twist in detail.
My verdict: If you’re new to thrillers, go ahead and read the first book in the series; you’ll likely enjoy it. But the rest of the series? Better to avoid or read without thinking too much.
🔪🔪🔪 More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Millie and Enzo, from the previous Housemaid books, are now a decade older. They have two children and have just bought a house on Long Island. However, their neighbors give them the creeps.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝:
▪️ From Part 2 onwards, the book is super fast-paced and impossible to put down.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐝:
▪️ Everything else. Part 1 was so extremely boring I couldn't stand it. It was just everyday life with NOTHING happening.
▪️ I lost count how many times Millie mentioned how sexy her husband is and how many biceps-triceps-velociraptors he has. Eye rolling 25 times per second.
▪️ The portrayal of women as enemies to each other is just eeew 🤢
▪️ The most boring characters ever, I felt NOTHING about them.
▪️ Millie’s reaction to suspecting Enzo of cheating was a mere “okay”. Seriously, Millie?
▪️ Many facts are mentioned several times throughout the book, like yeah, I got it the first six times, can we move on? Please??
▪️ Ada’s words to a schoolboy at the end were a huge shiny facepalm 🤦🏻
The biggest disappointment: I knew the murderer(s) from the very beginning. Despite the endless red herrings, I wasn’t confused. Maybe I’m a thriller veteran, but McFadden’s books are the only ones where I can predict the plot twist in detail.
My verdict: If you’re new to thrillers, go ahead and read the first book in the series; you’ll likely enjoy it. But the rest of the series? Better to avoid or read without thinking too much.
🔪🔪🔪 More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books