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readingonthehorizon's reviews
20 reviews
Wolves and Daggers by Melanie Karsak
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Repetitive and frustrating.
Changing the Game by J.J. Mulder
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
(pg. 145)
Just can't get into it right now - might try again another time.
Just can't get into it right now - might try again another time.
The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell
emotional
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In the gloomy whaling village of Warbler, an eerie fog haunts the night and is blamed for the disappearances of townspeople and visiting whalers. Temperance Byrne, the town's lamplighter, gets caught in the middle of accusations and daring acts following the disappearance of a local girl, sending her life into a spiral as she strives to uncover the mysterious disappearances.
Crystal Bell's "The Lamplighter" was an absolute joy to read. It was my first dip into the gothic genre and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction. The world building gave way to thrilling twists and betrayals that left me saying "just one more chapter".
Despite its beauty in storytelling and the world it built, I would have loved to see more of the relationship between Josiah and Temperance as well as Tempe's mother and her character. For me, the fleshing out of these relationships and characters would have allowed me to connect more with them and produce a bigger reaction to the novel's climax.
Thank you so much to North Star Editions and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!
Crystal Bell's "The Lamplighter" was an absolute joy to read. It was my first dip into the gothic genre and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction. The world building gave way to thrilling twists and betrayals that left me saying "just one more chapter".
Despite its beauty in storytelling and the world it built, I would have loved to see more of the relationship between Josiah and Temperance as well as Tempe's mother and her character. For me, the fleshing out of these relationships and characters would have allowed me to connect more with them and produce a bigger reaction to the novel's climax.
Thank you so much to North Star Editions and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, and Violence
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Conversations with Friends was a challenge for me to read. I took a 2 week break from reading it around halfway through and even then, I had to put the book down at the end of each chapter.
I'm not sure what about it made me do this. The language itself is not challenging but it's possibly the themes. I felt so far detached from the characters but at the same time related in a way I never have before. It made me feel such odd emotions that I know I'll never be able to identify.
But I would like to say that I loved how Sally Rooney didn't use quotation marks.
I'm not sure what about it made me do this. The language itself is not challenging but it's possibly the themes. I felt so far detached from the characters but at the same time related in a way I never have before. It made me feel such odd emotions that I know I'll never be able to identify.
But I would like to say that I loved how Sally Rooney didn't use quotation marks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual content
The Merciless King of Moore High by Lily Sparks
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
Lily Sparks' The Merciless King of Moore High is an adventurous and emotional delve into the post apocalyptic world where all adults have turned into mounds of flesh that ooze with death. Stuck with just their peers, the students of Jefferson High and Moore High take on differing political systems that both delve into chaos as their worlds collide. Forbidden romances bloom and hearts are broken as Kay fights to bring justice and peace to both schools, the twists and turns sure to bring you to the edge of your seat and rip your heart out.
The amount of love I feel for this novel is overwhelming. It was full of action from start to finish, tugging at my heartstrings and crushing my soul with wild forms of betrayal. I can confidently say that the epilogue has me pulling at my hair, desperate for more.
Thank you so much to North Star Editions and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!
The amount of love I feel for this novel is overwhelming. It was full of action from start to finish, tugging at my heartstrings and crushing my soul with wild forms of betrayal. I can confidently say that the epilogue has me pulling at my hair, desperate for more.
Thank you so much to North Star Editions and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
Molten Death by Leslie Karst
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Molten Death by Leslie Karst is an incredibly detailed and carefully thought through novel based on the volcanic activity that occurred on the Big Island in 2018. It follows Valerie and Kristen, a married couple on a holiday to Hawai'i in order to rebuild their relationship, that soon turns into an exciting yet cosy mystery with lots of lava and a few stolen avocados.
This novel is unique and surprisingly educational, with a few fun recipes and a list of glossary terms in the back.
Thank you so much to Severn House and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!
This novel is unique and surprisingly educational, with a few fun recipes and a list of glossary terms in the back.
Thank you so much to Severn House and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Death
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
Omg itty bitty baby spiders!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Eleanora “Ellie” Mallory is a suffragette in 1898, breaking the feminine traditions of her time and working towards a world of equality. When her protesting gets her fired from her hard earned job at the Public Record Office, her world turns upside down and plunges into a fast-paced journey full of lost cities, torn maps, danger, and just a sprinkle of romance.
Whilst I’m typically a slow reader, this novel had me hooked from the prologue. Each character had depth and purpose, creating a rich plotline that flowed and kept me wanting more. I can’t wait to see how Ellie and Adam take on their next adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Sexism and Animal death
Bound by Curses by Nicole Zoltack
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For me, the ending (and the lovers part of enemies to lovers) came out of nowhere. It really didn't feel like Karalyn and Harald had much of a romantic connection.
But! I loved how this book was able to carry a cohesive story in such a short page count.
But! I loved how this book was able to carry a cohesive story in such a short page count.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Death of parent
Bound by Treason by Eliza Tilton
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I was so confused going into this novella and honestly I'm glad that's all it is; a novella. It felt too predictable and more often than not explain events and feelings rather than showing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, and Physical abuse