readingbetweenthenotes's reviews
278 reviews

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw

dark mysterious tense

3.5

I loved The Wicked Deep but sadly, this one didn't do it for me so much. It felt overly melodramatic and the plot twist was predictable. However, top marks for the spooky atmosphere!

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

dark reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Fantastic. Kept me gripped from start to finish.

Wildoak by C.C. Harrington

hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Such a sweet and charming story. I loved Maggie and Rumpus!

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

The author's note states that this started out as a series of short stories, and I definitely felt that. The book wasn't bad at all, I just felt detached from the characters and thought it all needed to be fleshed out a bit more. 

Maybe I left this one on my TBR for too long but it didn't have the impact I was hoping it would.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

dark emotional reflective sad

4.0

I thought for sure this would be a five star read. The writing was stunning, as I've come to expect from Katherine Arden but there was just a little something missing that stopped this being perfect for me. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, I just wanted more. 

Still a fantastic read though, hauntingly beautiful.

Forestfall by Lyndall Clipstone

dark mysterious

3.0

Lots of angst, but not a lot of plot. I could probably have lived with the first book being a standalone

Skin by Ilka Tampke

adventurous dark

• Strong character development? Yes

3.5

Quite different to anything I would usually read. A compelling story but probably not one I would revisit.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Rape, Violence, Murder, and War

The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

A lovely reimagining of the Snow Maiden fairytale, with a focus on the healing power of friendship and overcoming anxiety. Sophie Anderson always writes very special stories.

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

adventurous

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

A fantastic follow-up to book one. I love this series.

Thin Air by Michelle Paver

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

Some decent atmosphere in parts but a little too short and fast for me to feel properly invested.