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redhead_reader's reviews
798 reviews
Bad Tourists by Caro Carver
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I couldn’t put this book down!
It’s such a good thriller for summer. The atmospheric beach vibes are *chef’s kiss*.
I loved that the FMCs were mostly in their 40s. I enjoyed reading about more mature characters and their life experiences that come with age (divorce, children of varying ages, perimenopause, etc.).
The twists this book took had me shook. I didn’t guess where it was going and I loved every minute of it.
It does get dark so you’ll definitely want to check out trigger warnings before you read the book if you need.
C.J. Cooke is my absolute favorite author and this new book by her pen name, Caro Carver, absolutely lived up to the standard I’ve come to expect and love from C. J. Cooke’s books. I can’t wait to see what Caro Carver does next 🤩
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the copy of this eARC.
It’s such a good thriller for summer. The atmospheric beach vibes are *chef’s kiss*.
I loved that the FMCs were mostly in their 40s. I enjoyed reading about more mature characters and their life experiences that come with age (divorce, children of varying ages, perimenopause, etc.).
The twists this book took had me shook. I didn’t guess where it was going and I loved every minute of it.
It does get dark so you’ll definitely want to check out trigger warnings before you read the book if you need.
C.J. Cooke is my absolute favorite author and this new book by her pen name, Caro Carver, absolutely lived up to the standard I’ve come to expect and love from C. J. Cooke’s books. I can’t wait to see what Caro Carver does next 🤩
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the copy of this eARC.
Early Grave by Paul Levine
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Daughter of the Empire by Janny Wurts, Raymond E. Feist
adventurous
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
I absolutely loved the Riftwar Saga and thought this was an interesting follow up series as it takes place on Kelewan while the battle is taking place in Midkemia (where the Riftwar Saga takes place). As I have come to expect from Feist’s novels, the world building is wonderful and I really enjoyed reading about the Tsurani people, culture, and society. What kept this from being a 5 star read for me was the timeline. It was hard to follow because it wasn’t ever really called out. It would suddenly mention a year or more had gone by but without that offhand mention in the text there was nothing else to indicate that passage of time. I think the book spans a two year time period but I’m not positive on that timeline.
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read more about Mara and her moves within the Game of the Council.
She is such a strong female protagonist, and I couldn’t help but compare her plays within the Game of the Council to the strong women in A Song of Ice and Fire. Mara would be a force in the Game of Thrones, akin to the likes of Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, Olenna Tyrell, and Sansa Stark.
You could read this series without having read the Riftwar Saga, but it is highly suggested that you read those books before reading this trilogy. I’m currently following the publication order of books in the Riftwar Cycle which is the recommended order to read the books.
I highly recommend this book (and the Riftwar Saga) to anyone that loves a good epic high fantasy novel.
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read more about Mara and her moves within the Game of the Council.
She is such a strong female protagonist, and I couldn’t help but compare her plays within the Game of the Council to the strong women in A Song of Ice and Fire. Mara would be a force in the Game of Thrones, akin to the likes of Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, Olenna Tyrell, and Sansa Stark.
You could read this series without having read the Riftwar Saga, but it is highly suggested that you read those books before reading this trilogy. I’m currently following the publication order of books in the Riftwar Cycle which is the recommended order to read the books.
I highly recommend this book (and the Riftwar Saga) to anyone that loves a good epic high fantasy novel.
A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
As usual, CJ Cooke knocked it out if the park with her writing! Her prose is wonderful.
I loved this book. It is so atmospheric. I audibly gasped and brought my hand to my mouth in shock or apprehension multiple times and I did not see the ending coming either.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was superb. It was probably the best narration I’ve heard on an audiobook to date. The narrator does no less than 6 different accents throughout and it’s amazing.
Definitely check your trigger warnings. This book is dark.
I loved this book. It is so atmospheric. I audibly gasped and brought my hand to my mouth in shock or apprehension multiple times and I did not see the ending coming either.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was superb. It was probably the best narration I’ve heard on an audiobook to date. The narrator does no less than 6 different accents throughout and it’s amazing.
Definitely check your trigger warnings. This book is dark.
The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book!
It’s the 2nd Lisa Unger book I’ve read and I’m eager to read more of her work.
A little spooky/paranormal mixed with domestic suspense. I thought it was a bit predictable but still enjoyed the twists and turns along the way.
If you liked Riley Sager’s Lock Every Door, you’ll LOVE this book! I recommend it to anyone that loves a good domestic thriller with some paranormal aspects sprinkled into the mix.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this eARC!
It’s the 2nd Lisa Unger book I’ve read and I’m eager to read more of her work.
A little spooky/paranormal mixed with domestic suspense. I thought it was a bit predictable but still enjoyed the twists and turns along the way.
If you liked Riley Sager’s Lock Every Door, you’ll LOVE this book! I recommend it to anyone that loves a good domestic thriller with some paranormal aspects sprinkled into the mix.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this eARC!
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.5
This was a great read!
I liked the mixed media format between Lucy’s POV and podcast episodes. I think it would make the audiobook version extra fun!
I’m a fan of true crime podcasts so it worked for me. I thought the podcast helped keep the story moving along and was a great segue into Lucy’s POV since we’re “listening” to the podcast along with her.
I didn’t see the ending coming so that was an interesting twist.
At first I didn’t like Lucy’s sarcasm because it felt a bit over the top and forced, but that quickly went away and I ended up really liking her. And Beverly.
Overall it’s a really entertaining book. It’s fast paced, I loved the narrator’s sarcasm/banter, it’s got drama, lots of twists. I definitely recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for the copy of this eARC!
I liked the mixed media format between Lucy’s POV and podcast episodes. I think it would make the audiobook version extra fun!
I’m a fan of true crime podcasts so it worked for me. I thought the podcast helped keep the story moving along and was a great segue into Lucy’s POV since we’re “listening” to the podcast along with her.
I didn’t see the ending coming so that was an interesting twist.
At first I didn’t like Lucy’s sarcasm because it felt a bit over the top and forced, but that quickly went away and I ended up really liking her. And Beverly.
Overall it’s a really entertaining book. It’s fast paced, I loved the narrator’s sarcasm/banter, it’s got drama, lots of twists. I definitely recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for the copy of this eARC!
New Spring by Robert Jordan
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
I loved this book!
Idk if it was just reading more about Lan and Moiraine, but this book gave off the same kind of vibes that the first books in the series did and those were the books that made me fall in love with this series.
This book felt like coming home to old friends.
It gives great background on Lan, Moiraine, and Siuan.
I also loved the background it gives on Aes Sedai and going from Accepted to Aes Sedai. Maybe it’s been too long since I read about it in another book, but I felt like we got more details about that in New Spring than we did in any other book, and I enjoyed learning more about that aspect and what the White Tower looks like for the various levels (particularly Accepted and Aes Sedai).
I did not expect to give this book a 5 star review, and maybe I’m on the minority on that, but this book has got me hyped on WoT again and I’m obsessed!
Idk if it was just reading more about Lan and Moiraine, but this book gave off the same kind of vibes that the first books in the series did and those were the books that made me fall in love with this series.
This book felt like coming home to old friends.
It gives great background on Lan, Moiraine, and Siuan.
I also loved the background it gives on Aes Sedai and going from Accepted to Aes Sedai. Maybe it’s been too long since I read about it in another book, but I felt like we got more details about that in New Spring than we did in any other book, and I enjoyed learning more about that aspect and what the White Tower looks like for the various levels (particularly Accepted and Aes Sedai).
I did not expect to give this book a 5 star review, and maybe I’m on the minority on that, but this book has got me hyped on WoT again and I’m obsessed!