riley_rogers's reviews
192 reviews

You Have Arrived at Your Destination by Amor Towles

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

This was.. just weird. Mentions of "genetic nudging" or being able to choose how your child "leans" into their personality, aptitudes, and behaviors. The idea of being able to choose your child in itself is crazy - but being able to mold them even further is even more terrifying.

The Last Conversation by Paul Tremblay

fast-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? No

4.0

Randomize by Andy Weir

adventurous challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

Eh. Boring characters, stereotypes, and predictable plotlines. With brief mentions of quantum computing, and gambling fraud as a side. 🤷‍♀️ Not my cup of tea.

The Succubus's Prize by Katee Robert

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Womp womp. I was expecting this to be better, but the overbearing religious trauma regarding more traditional subjects was very overbearing and heavy handed. Over 60% of this simply was of the main character feeling shameful and wallowing in misery. I wanted some happiness for her! Also, the CONSISTENT spelling/punctuation errors absolutely took me out of the book. Arguably my least favorite out of the series.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Inked By The Ithaqua by Wendi Gogh

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck

emotional reflective sad 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

Oh my gosh. I don't even know where to begin with this book. Don't you dare let "a love story" fool you. At its heart, it's not a traditional romance book. It doesn't delve into the honeymoon phase and sticky sweetness of love, but rather demonstrates the ability of love to grow over time, away from people, in people, and in those you love. It's not a story of people being brought together - but rather, apart. Wren was such a strong, compelling character. Her unwavering strength with Lewis was heartbreaking. This book BROKE me. The best way I could describe it would be hauntingly beautiful, somber, tear jerking, and inspiring. It's a story of love.. but not in the traditional sense. 
5/5. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

dark funny sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

There was, quite literally, no plot. This could've been a solid 100 pages maximum when it was instead drug out over 300+ pages of unrelenting, unwitty, boring conversation with no life to it. I loved the idea of it - thinking it would have some big meaning behind it. Instead, I was reminded of a conveyor belt sushi restaurant with little to no taste and a chance of food poisoning, and I get whatever this sad concotion is? The end was also abrupt, had no explanation, and was terribly unsatisfying. I'm honestly sad that I even bought this. I'm so glad I never have to read it again.

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0