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phoenix2's reviews
1270 reviews
Mirror Lake by Juneau Black
mysterious
3.0
The third book of the Shady Hollow series presents an interesting mystery, at least at first, but it got predictable in the end. Still, a nice read.
Twilight Falls by Juneau Black
mysterious
2.75
Twilight Falls is the fourth book of the series and it was quite twisty this time around with a nice conclusion to the story.
The Grimm Society by Chanda Hahn
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!
'The Grimm Society' is the first book of The Grimm Society series and it combines the YA school genre with mystery in a supernatural universe.
The story is pretty fast paced, almost too fast at times, as, in the end, the mystery was conveniently solved, which, for some part, it didn't make sense how our main character put things together, when she couldn't really figure out the most obvious clues. Also, there were some parts of the plot that felt disjointed and didn't develop organically in the plot.
Still, the mystery, in the end, was solid, and the main character was very interesting and adorable. The love interests were in theory stereotypical love interests but there were some toxic elements to their behavior, which were not talked about enough in retrospect. Like Hunter being a jerk towards her before she joins him at school or that he had a girlfriend while he was flirting with our main lead. Or with Ian being a horrible mentor and leaving her injured and alone after her first battle!
'The Grimm Society' is the first book of The Grimm Society series and it combines the YA school genre with mystery in a supernatural universe.
The story is pretty fast paced, almost too fast at times, as, in the end, the mystery was conveniently solved, which, for some part, it didn't make sense how our main character put things together, when she couldn't really figure out the most obvious clues. Also, there were some parts of the plot that felt disjointed and didn't develop organically in the plot.
Still, the mystery, in the end, was solid, and the main character was very interesting and adorable. The love interests were in theory stereotypical love interests but there were some toxic elements to their behavior, which were not talked about enough in retrospect.
Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!!
'Murder in Highbury' is a regency mystery and a Jane Austen 'retelling', with Emma of Austen's popular novel married to Mr Knightly and now solving a murder!
The novel is rather cute and funny, even though it's about a murder case. It involves a lot of the original novel's characters and the audiobook's narrator gives each and every one a unique voice which resembles a lot the ones of the movie!
Also, the novel includes a lot of regency novel scenes other than the investigation, which adds to the enjoyment of the story.
'Murder in Highbury' is a regency mystery and a Jane Austen 'retelling', with Emma of Austen's popular novel married to Mr Knightly and now solving a murder!
The novel is rather cute and funny, even though it's about a murder case. It involves a lot of the original novel's characters and the audiobook's narrator gives each and every one a unique voice which resembles a lot the ones of the movie!
Also, the novel includes a lot of regency novel scenes other than the investigation, which adds to the enjoyment of the story.
The Gentleman's Confession by Anneka R. Walker
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!
'The Gentleman's Confession' is the third book in the Matchmaking Mamas series and it presents a clean historical romance.
The story is told through a double POV, which enhances the longing and the enjoyment of the romance.
However, it got frustrating after a while because of the miscommunication about their feelings.
Still, it is a cute story and the characters were adorable. In addition, the narrators did a great job portraying them.
Also, it should be noted that even though the book is the third in the series, it wasn't difficult to read it as a standalone, though, I suspect that the rest of the books are as good.
'The Gentleman's Confession' is the third book in the Matchmaking Mamas series and it presents a clean historical romance.
The story is told through a double POV, which enhances the longing and the enjoyment of the romance.
However, it got frustrating after a while because of the miscommunication about their feelings.
Still, it is a cute story and the characters were adorable. In addition, the narrators did a great job portraying them.
Also, it should be noted that even though the book is the third in the series, it wasn't difficult to read it as a standalone, though, I suspect that the rest of the books are as good.
Gossip Girl, the Carlyles by Cecily von Ziegesar
medium-paced
0.75
'The Carlyles' is the first book of a new series in the Gossip Girl universe, but, by a new author. And it actually shows. Yes, the writing style tries to mimic the original one, but fails to do so. Also, the story was predictable, kind of reminded me of the original one, and the characters were flat and boring.
Chess Story by Stefan Zweig
sad
medium-paced
3.0
'Chess Story' is a short read that revolves around a chess game to trigger a much darker story.
The first part of the story was quite technical and boring, but, when the new character was introduced and his story took over, things got more interesting and emotional. The ending was quite emotional as well.
The first part of the story was quite technical and boring, but, when the new character was introduced and his story took over, things got more interesting and emotional. The ending was quite emotional as well.
The Heartbeat Library by Laura Imai Messina
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
'The Library of Heartbeats' is a heartwarming story about mourning and healing.
The story is quite emotional, but it takes a while to settle in and engage the reader. That said, the ending was very strong and the best part of the book, especially when it came to the heartbeat clips.
Another thing that I didn't love was the way the timeline was handled. I was often lost as to where we were timewise and it got me out of the narration's pace.
And yet, the characters were interesting and the audiobook well managed.
'The Library of Heartbeats' is a heartwarming story about mourning and healing.
The story is quite emotional, but it takes a while to settle in and engage the reader. That said, the ending was very strong and the best part of the book, especially when it came to the heartbeat clips.
Another thing that I didn't love was the way the timeline was handled. I was often lost as to where we were timewise and it got me out of the narration's pace.
And yet, the characters were interesting and the audiobook well managed.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
mysterious
3.75
'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' is a Poirot mystery being told by a local doctor.
The story is quite twisty, with many players that have their own motives to have done the murder. And yet, that ending was quite shocking.
The story is quite twisty, with many players that have their own motives to have done the murder. And yet, that ending was quite shocking.