reddogjones's reviews
5 reviews

Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay

adventurous dark hopeful tense 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? No

3.5

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

emotional funny fast-paced

4.0

Hawk Mountain by Conner Habib

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Incredibly dark and incredibly sad. The writing was beautiful and I felt invested in the main character and his son from page 1. There is clear warning that this is a dark book, and the first half was so intense and so stressful, and I was completely fooled - the dark place it went was not the dark place I was expecting.  When it turned dark I was so uncomfortable and disturbed and upset that I almost stopped reading. I was even a little mad, like why did the author do this? I finished almost out of spite - I had to figure out where we were being led, I had to understand what it was all for. 

The skill of the writer really made this one work (if it could be said to work); such stunning and well placed language. But oh my, how sad a tale for the sensitive main character and his sweet son. I'm glad I read it, but I don't think I would ever recommend it to anyone. 
 

The Listeners by Christopher Pike

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Ruins by Scott Smith

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0