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readingwryly's reviews
236 reviews
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
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Content Warnings
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This is the first time I have ever been truly triggered from a book. Yes, it is set in the 1990’s. Yes, things were a bit different then. I see what the author was trying to do. However, there were feminist themes that I thought were poorly executed. Also, the middle 60% of this book could have not existed.
That being said, there were a few redeeming qualities about this novel, for me:
I loved that our heroine was a middle aged suburban mom.
I loved that book club (and books in general) was an ongoing theme throughout.
I thought the gore in the last 100 pages was done well (though I was not a fan of the rape).
He was successful (from my white perspective, anyway) in the discussion he was trying to have about race, and the disparity between how the white families and the black families were treated. I believed, though it seemed harsh, that the intent was to encourage rage for the injustice of that disparity and was done in good faith.
I believe this was also true with respect to the feminist commentary, though this attempt was less successful.
The subversion of women throughout this novel, took its toll on me and triggered me on a deep level. So for that, I had to mark this down to a 2⭐️ read. But I think other people without my specific biases may find this much more spectacular than I did. That being said, regardless of personal triggers, the pacing of this novel was a big bummer.
That being said, there were a few redeeming qualities about this novel, for me:
I loved that our heroine was a middle aged suburban mom.
I loved that book club (and books in general) was an ongoing theme throughout.
I thought the gore in the last 100 pages was done well (though I was not a fan of the rape).
He was successful (from my white perspective, anyway) in the discussion he was trying to have about race, and the disparity between how the white families and the black families were treated. I believed, though it seemed harsh, that the intent was to encourage rage for the injustice of that disparity and was done in good faith.
I believe this was also true with respect to the feminist commentary, though this attempt was less successful.
The subversion of women throughout this novel, took its toll on me and triggered me on a deep level. So for that, I had to mark this down to a 2⭐️ read. But I think other people without my specific biases may find this much more spectacular than I did. That being said, regardless of personal triggers, the pacing of this novel was a big bummer.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Foe by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0