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phoenix2's reviews
1267 reviews
Bells, Tails & Murder: A Cozy English Animal Mystery by Kathy Manos Penn
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!
'Bells, Tails and Murder' is the first book in the 'A Dickens and Christie Mystery' series. The book is about a widow who moves to England with her dog, Dickens, and her cat, Christie, but, after a murder in her new community, ends up investigating the crime.
The book has some cute characters, and it was interesting that the main character could hear the animals around her, as we could all experience the sassiness of her two pets! Also, the small community created the perfect background for the story, which included an intriguing mystery. In addition, the nods to famous authors and book characters were interesting and whimsical.
Moreover, the mystery was fast paced and had an unpredictable ending, though, some times, it was a bit too fast paced.
Finally, the narration and production of the audiobook were all great.
'Bells, Tails and Murder' is the first book in the 'A Dickens and Christie Mystery' series. The book is about a widow who moves to England with her dog, Dickens, and her cat, Christie, but, after a murder in her new community, ends up investigating the crime.
The book has some cute characters, and it was interesting that the main character could hear the animals around her, as we could all experience the sassiness of her two pets! Also, the small community created the perfect background for the story, which included an intriguing mystery. In addition, the nods to famous authors and book characters were interesting and whimsical.
Moreover, the mystery was fast paced and had an unpredictable ending, though, some times, it was a bit too fast paced.
Finally, the narration and production of the audiobook were all great.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
2.0
'Sunrise on the Reaping' is the fifth 'Hunger Games' novel.
And even though I feared that the book wouldn't manage to surprise me, as the story was known from the second Hunger Games book already, the author manages yet again to make her magic!
However, there were some parts that weren't great, despite the strong first half and the many many many cameos of beloved characters from the other books. First of all, the second part of the story was dragging, being repetitive of themes like the 'paint your own poster', and even worse, Poe's Raven poem, which was inserted into the story every two paragraphs. I can see what the author wanted to deliver with it, but it was messy and felt partial, as, at some point, the narration started making time jumps between the poem's parts. It also started feeling tiring to read that much of the Raven as it interrupted the narration.
In addition, the second part had some eye-rolling moments when you just couldn't believe the characters didn't see the obvious. Finally, the ending was unrefined.
And yet, it was interesting to learn more about the characters and the original story.
And even though I feared that the book wouldn't manage to surprise me, as the story was known from the second Hunger Games book already, the author manages yet again to make her magic!
However, there were some parts that weren't great, despite the strong first half and the many many many cameos of beloved characters from the other books. First of all, the second part of the story was dragging, being repetitive of themes like the 'paint your own poster', and even worse, Poe's Raven poem, which was inserted into the story every two paragraphs. I can see what the author wanted to deliver with it, but it was messy and felt partial, as, at some point, the narration started making time jumps between the poem's parts. It also started feeling tiring to read that much of the Raven as it interrupted the narration.
In addition, the second part had some eye-rolling moments when you just couldn't believe the characters didn't see the obvious. Finally, the ending was unrefined.
And yet, it was interesting to learn more about the characters and the original story.
Death at an Irish Wedding by Ellie Brannigan
2.0
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!!
'Death at an Irish Wedding' is the second book in the 'An Irish Castle Mystery'.
I appreciate that the story focused more on the mystery rather than the plot about the castle and the cousins, not that the latter wasn't interesting!
Also, the heiress story was entertaining and involved many characters, though, it would have been better if there wasn't that much focus on the girl's plastic surgeries, for there was no point in it. Also, I didn't like the way the groom was treating his bride as, her being a spoiled heiress doesn't mean it's okay to be attacking her constantly.
In addition, there were a lot of substories and none of them were properly finished.
But, I loved that the dog was included in the mix and that the love was from the family and not a romantic kind.
'Death at an Irish Wedding' is the second book in the 'An Irish Castle Mystery'.
I appreciate that the story focused more on the mystery rather than the plot about the castle and the cousins, not that the latter wasn't interesting!
Also, the heiress story was entertaining and involved many characters, though, it would have been better if there wasn't that much focus on the girl's plastic surgeries, for there was no point in it. Also, I didn't like the way the groom was treating his bride as, her being a spoiled heiress doesn't mean it's okay to be attacking her constantly.
In addition, there were a lot of substories and none of them were properly finished.
But, I loved that the dog was included in the mix and that the love was from the family and not a romantic kind.
Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes
3.0
'Paris for one and other stories' is a short stories anthology filled with stories that Jojo Moyes is known for.
Others were romantic, other more cozy-sweet, some more interesting than others. A quick read really.
Others were romantic, other more cozy-sweet, some more interesting than others. A quick read really.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
2.75
2.75 stars
'Wild Dark Shore' is a mystery thriller about found family and pulling the veil over a dark and eerie island mystery.
The story has multiple POVs and I must confessed I didn't love everyone. I especially enjoyed the kids' though, which gave an interesting perspective on the story. However, the plot focused more on the adults, which was fine, but it often focused on their relationship rather than the 'mystery' and the bonding of the family.
The ending was rough though.
Finally, the audiobook was nicely narrated by all the narrators!
'Wild Dark Shore' is a mystery thriller about found family and pulling the veil over a dark and eerie island mystery.
The story has multiple POVs and I must confessed I didn't love everyone. I especially enjoyed the kids' though, which gave an interesting perspective on the story. However, the plot focused more on the adults, which was fine, but it often focused on their relationship rather than the 'mystery' and the bonding of the family.
The ending was rough though.
Finally, the audiobook was nicely narrated by all the narrators!
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
3.0
'If I had Your Face' is a multi POV novel about five different women who live in an officestel and start bonding together as their stories progress.
What I liked about this book was how brutal and hursh the reality was presented, without romantisizing anything or trying to sugarcoat the situations the girls were living.
I also enjoyed some of the characters and their POVs gave the uniqueness of their personalities.
However, I found the book kind of all over the place in retrospect. The stories did not have any structure or any sense of pace, the time jumps were messy, and the ending was focused on one of the characters, and left the others as sidenotes, leaving things to an open ending.
What I liked about this book was how brutal and hursh the reality was presented, without romantisizing anything or trying to sugarcoat the situations the girls were living.
I also enjoyed some of the characters and their POVs gave the uniqueness of their personalities.
However, I found the book kind of all over the place in retrospect. The stories did not have any structure or any sense of pace, the time jumps were messy, and the ending was focused on one of the characters, and left the others as sidenotes, leaving things to an open ending.
The Forest King's Daughter by Elly Blake
3.5
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!!
'The Forest King's Daughter' is a YA fantasy book, the first book of the series.
The book has many original and fantastical elements, and the author does a good job of giving the story a fresh twist and many interesting characters. However, there was a lot going on, and, especially, towards the ending, the story got tiring with the twist upon twist pattern.
Moreover, the audiobook was nicely narrated.
'The Forest King's Daughter' is a YA fantasy book, the first book of the series.
The book has many original and fantastical elements, and the author does a good job of giving the story a fresh twist and many interesting characters. However, there was a lot going on, and, especially, towards the ending, the story got tiring with the twist upon twist pattern.
Moreover, the audiobook was nicely narrated.
Trap Line by Timothy Zahn
3.5
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!
'Trap Line' is a short sci-fi story by the master of the genre Timothy Zahn.
The story is entertaining and keeps things thrilling till the very last twist. It is also well paced, considering that this is just a short story.
In addition, the narrator did a good job with the audiobook.
'Trap Line' is a short sci-fi story by the master of the genre Timothy Zahn.
The story is entertaining and keeps things thrilling till the very last twist. It is also well paced, considering that this is just a short story.
In addition, the narrator did a good job with the audiobook.
Ressurection by Leo Tolstoy
4.0
'Resurrection' is the third novel by Leo Tolstoy and it is quite different compared to the two previous ones, as it follows a darker story and even more tragic characters. However, the well known romantic prose is there, as well as the philosophical dialogues that the author is known for, even though this time they are smoother and nicely embedded into the story. The plot itself is quite interesting to follow and the narration is fluid and filled with many characters that offer different perspectives of the then (or maybe even current) society.
My Beautiful Sisters by Khalida Popal
3.5
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!!!
'My Beautiful Sisters: A Story of Courage, Hope and the Afghan Women's Football Team' is a memoir by Khalida Popal where she chronicles her story that is tightly connected with the women's football team.
The story is shocking and quite dark, and it often feels like watching or reading a thriller rather than a real story, which makes it even more shocking when you remember that those things really happen.
And yet, after all these things these incredible women endured and fought against, the book has a hopeful undertone. Khalida Popal is also a true rule model, as she is indeed a strong woman who fights against all odds for her basic rights.
I should mention, though, that the book needs some editing, as the narration isn't as smooth at some points as it is at others.
The time jumps could have been handled better as well.
'My Beautiful Sisters: A Story of Courage, Hope and the Afghan Women's Football Team' is a memoir by Khalida Popal where she chronicles her story that is tightly connected with the women's football team.
The story is shocking and quite dark, and it often feels like watching or reading a thriller rather than a real story, which makes it even more shocking when you remember that those things really happen.
And yet, after all these things these incredible women endured and fought against, the book has a hopeful undertone. Khalida Popal is also a true rule model, as she is indeed a strong woman who fights against all odds for her basic rights.
I should mention, though, that the book needs some editing, as the narration isn't as smooth at some points as it is at others.
The time jumps could have been handled better as well.