robinwritesallthethings's reviews
51 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Michael Crichton has been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid. Lately, I’ve been enjoying going back and rereading books I first encountered when I was much younger and not just seeing if they hold up over time, but also seeing if my reaction to them has changed. I’m happy to report that this one is still just as good as the first time I read it.

Crichton’s foray into jungle exploration is about an expedition into the Congo to both find diamonds for use in the development of communication technologies and to study what seems to be a new type of violent gorilla encountered deep in the jungle. There is a lot of science and a lot of jargon, but Crichton has a characteristic way of cutting through it and making it understandable and enjoyable to read. There are a lot of factors converging against the expedition, including rival companies, the aforementioned gorillas, and, of course, nature itself, since the diamonds they’re searching for are at the base of a volcano. It’s an exciting and tense narrative that simultaneously encapsulates the massive advances in computers taking place at the end of the 1970s and the unknown nature of exploration into places few human beings have ever seen, beyond those that already live there. It also highlights the intelligence of animals and the rapidity with which those animals are losing their habitats to humanity, along with taking on the themes of the cost of progress and the dangers of humans thinking they can control nature, which is a common thread across many of Crichton’s books. Overall, it’s a very sophisticated read, but it’s worth it.

In terms of trigger warnings, I’d say that if you don’t like reading about animals getting hurt, no matter how dangerous they are, you should skip this one. There is also a fair amount of violence, though I wouldn’t classify it as excessive or gory in its description.

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I Won't Date the Wolf Prince by Luna M. Rose

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I received an ARC copy of this novel.

I’ll read pretty much anything with werewolves, but I was especially intrigued by the idea of an adult werewolf summer camp where they try to find their fated mates. Of course, Kate couldn’t be less interested in finding a mate. Until she meets the smoking hot werewolf prince Lukas.

The concept of this book is what really sells it for me. A huge number of werewolves are sent to a tropical island for a month not only to find mates, but also to connect with their inner wolf. Many of the latest generation have never transformed, and most of them don’t even believe in fated mates. It’s a fun twist on the usual issues werewolves face in these kinds of stories, like choosing a mate their family doesn’t approve of or wars between packs. Not that those aren’t fun! This is just a unique and refreshing take on the tropes. While attempting to accomplish their goals, the werewolves must face challenges reminiscent of a reality show, even though it’s not televised, because, uh, they’re werewolves. In this way, the characters are kept in constant forced proximity, which allows lots of interesting developments to occur. For Kate, it’s just an exercise so she can get law school paid for, but it becomes much more when she’s unexpectedly invested in the results. I also found Kate’s reasons for fighting against the idea of the fated mate bond to be realistic. It made sense that it took her time to come around, even while she was in a carefree tropical paradise.

Stylistically, the book is easy to read. Even though there are a lot of side characters, they all have distinct personalities, so it’s simple to recognize them when they appear, and it makes the group scenes fun. I also enjoyed the interview sections, especially since they revealed secrets about the characters and what they were thinking that we couldn’t have known otherwise. Whenever I hit one of those sections while reading, I knew I was going to learn something else important! In terms of spice, there’s a lot of shirtless yearning and anticipation, but very little open door spice overall, and even the one spicy scene is pretty brief. It didn’t bother me, though, because the drama between the characters was so exciting that I honestly didn’t need the spice.

In terms of tropes, you’ll obviously get fated mates with this one, as well as a good dose of reluctance to love. The only triggers I can think of are the mention of the death of a mate and one douchey frat bro-esque werewolf.

Overall, the plot flows in a way that makes sense, the main couple is believable, the side characters are endearing, and I’d definitely tune in for another season of werewolves finding their mates.

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Deadly Shoot by T.J. Brearton

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.0

I received an ARC copy of this novel.

What It’s About: When the screenwriter is found dead during an isolated movie shoot, everyone becomes suspicious of each other as an investigation begins and tension rises during a storm that prevents anyone from leaving the scene of the crime.

Plot: Overall, I liked the mystery part of this. I’m always a fan of the locked room style of thriller. Almost everyone had a realistic motive to be the murderer, which made it hard to figure out who it really was in the end, so it did keep me guessing. However, it did seem at times that Leigh, the screenwriter, was a victim just for the sake of getting Mack to the movie set so he could dive deeper into his trauma, which felt like a fridging, in a way, at least until she was developed more in flashbacks later. Then that effect mostly went away. I also thought that too much was made of Mack’s past. It was too straightforward for his realizations to really change anything, at least for me. It was obvious why he was suffering from the beginning. Those are the reasons I lowered my rating to three stars.

Style: The book is easy to read and follow, even though it moves between perspectives, times, and scenes quite a bit. I was never confused. It also explains the screenwriting and movie lingo and process enough so that someone unfamiliar with it won’t get tripped up.

Trigger Warnings: There’s a murder, obviously. There’s some brief talk of sexual assault and grooming, and a little alcoholism as well.

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Reliquary by Douglas Preston

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What It’s About: Picking up several years after the first book left off, this story sheds light on Greg’s mysterious activities at the end of that novel and finds Pendergast and his previous allies attempting to prevent the return of Mbwun to New York City.

Plot: The first book was so exciting that it was hard to imagine a direct sequel that measured up, but this totally did. The scope is expanded so the stakes are higher, and there are more enemies and problems to solve, but none of it feels forced. And, of course, all our favorite characters return to be put in peril.

Style: Once again, the science is blended beautifully with the action, and explained in such a way that it’s easy to follow.

Trigger Warnings: Several main characters are in law enforcement, and there are depictions of the homeless, including drug addicts. The murders are quite gruesome as well.

Final Thoughts: I love this series more after reading the second entry. If I didn’t have a pile of ARCs waiting to be reviewed, I would be borrowing the third book and reading it immediately!

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Relic by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

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adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

What It’s About: When unusual murders begin happening in a museum, FBI agent Pendergast arrives to investigate rumors of a strange creature living in the depths of the building.

Plot: I would describe this as Michael Crichton meets The X-Files. Those are both things that I love, so I knew this would be right up my alley. Yes, it’s weird, but there’s a completely scientific explanation for the weirdness, and I like that.

Style: Though the book has a lot of science-based conversations and explanations, I found that it flowed so easily. It actually felt a lot shorter than it really was, which I think is a testament to the skill of the writers and the action-packed plot.

Trigger Warnings: Besides the fact that there are obviously some deaths, I don’t remember any other big triggers in this book.

Final Thoughts: I saw the movie that was based on this book when it came out way back when. It was okay, but the book is so much better, in case you were wondering. It’s a shame no one’s made a Pendergast show. I bet it would have a nice Bones vibe that would really work. I’m excited to read more of this series, but I have to wait for my digital hold to be delivered from the library!

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Burnt Ends by Laura Wetsel

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

I received an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: A private investigator and former(ish) opioid addict turns her detective skills to taking down her own family after they stole her father’s barbecue legacy from her years ago.

Plot: I can’t resist a good cozy mystery, and this is one of the better ones I’ve read. The mystery being intertwined with Tori’s family and her unrealized inheritance makes the stakes very high. Honestly, I found her pettiness refreshing. She wasn’t initially out to do the right thing, she just wanted revenge, and I can appreciate that. There are a lot of possible suspects here, and the end result isn’t super obvious until you’re almost there, when it’s supposed to be, so the red herrings worked, and that’s always fun.

Style: I found this book easy to read, and the mystery easy to follow, even though there were a lot of suspects and clues to sort through. I also enjoyed all the barbecue metaphors. That corniness is what makes a cozy mystery cozy!

Trigger Warnings: There are quite a few triggers in here that people should be aware of. Opioid use and overdosing associated with it, an allergic reaction, murder, attempted murder, assault, and mental health issues, particularly multiple personality disorder. I always get a little cagey with that last one because I grew up in the era of movies and shows massively misrepresenting MPD, but the research here is good and holds up. Although, girl, I’m worried you’re going to get sued because of the character’s very prominent other personality. I don’t know what the rules are about that, but I do know that Disney is pretty quick to drag people into court. Good luck!

Final Thoughts: This is a debut novel, and I have to say it’s a good one. I’d definitely give something else by this author a read if I got the chance.

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The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that changed America by Erik Larson

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dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

5.0

What It’s About: This is a dual narrative detailing the execution of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the dealings of famous serial killer H. H. Holmes during the same time period. At first blush, the two topics don’t seem to go together, but it becomes clear throughout the story that Holmes likely wouldn’t have been able to accomplish everything he did in the city without the excitement and opportunities provided by the grand event.

Plot: Holmes is quite a well-known figure, but there is a lot of misinformation floating around about his exploits. This book is a very realistic accounting of his activities, leaving room for doubt where it’s necessary, but also speculating about moments no one possibly could have witnessed. While I thought I wouldn’t be as interested in the part about building the fair, I actually found it very compelling. Knowing all the facts, it’s shocking that there was ever a fair at all. It’s also apparent that Holmes’ portion by itself doesn’t actually take up much space. He was a consummate liar, so not a lot can be said about him that is verifiable. Adding the fair gives the history more weight and heft, and at the same time provides a necessary context for how Holmes escaped detection for so long. The advantage of combining both is also that they are complete, so there is resolution at the end of everything on all sides.

Research and Organization: The organization here is essentially chronological, and flips back and forth between the fair and Holmes when necessary to frame what he was doing while Chicago was focused elsewhere. Many primary sources are used and quoted, and when they are not available, copious research was used to recreate circumstances that were not observed.

Trigger Warnings: Because of the time that the book covers, you’ll encounter period-typical racism and sexism. There is a lot of poverty and general death, as well as the obvious murder because of one of the book’s subjects.

Final Thoughts: This was a more somber and less sensational true crime novel than others I’ve read, but ultimately, I feel like it worked. It was very informative, and sheds light on a crime spree that it’s likely just wouldn’t be possible today because of the way everything is connected.

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The Surprise Party by R.L. Stine

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

What It’s About: Darkness once again rules Fear Street as the anniversary of a teenager’s death approaches. Everyone thought it was an accident, but someone knows the truth, and they are desperate to keep it a secret. Desperate enough… to kill.

Plot: This is teen horror from the 1980s. It’s not sophisticated. But it’s still fun, and it makes sense. There are even a few red herrings that are used well throughout the narrative.

Style: The book is straightforward and easy to get through, especially because it was meant for a younger audience.

Trigger Warnings: Death of a teenager, threats, violence. None of them are too extreme, though, since this book wasn’t meant for adults.

Final Thoughts: I grew up reading these books, so I do have a soft spot for them. The atmosphere of Fear Street, even considering the lack of connection between the narratives, is creepy and addictive. Despite their simplicity, though, they accomplish their goal of being horror novels for teens, and quite good ones.

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I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I received an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Alex Marks is surprised when she’s hired to take the place of her favorite advice columnist after her shocking murder. While trying to navigate the landscape of her new job, she finds herself compelled to solve the case of her predecessor’s demise, which leads to a surprising reckoning with her own past. I was immediately drawn to the concept of this book. I love pretty much any thriller, but especially one with a kind of twist before the story even starts, and the advice column did that for me. I hadn’t ever really considered how vulnerable and open the giver of advice would be in that situation, and that’s exactly what happens to Alex when she manages to snag the job of the idolized writer who came before her. The insights about giving advice were a fun addition to the fraught narrative.

Plot: I read a lot of thrillers, which I really do try to consider before I mark a plot down as predictable. I did feel like the author was assuming I was more in the dark about certain aspects of the story than I really was, and I think people who are naturally drawn to these types of books will probably figure out a lot of the turns before they get to the end. That’s the only reason I docked this book a star. But I have to say that it’s not that the journey there wasn’t fun. It was just that some of it was pretty obvious, and in a genre known for twists, readers aren’t necessarily going to appreciate that.

Style: The style here was very straightforward, and also very intimate. I really felt drawn in by Alex’s inner struggles, which colored most of her actions throughout the novel. I thought that was very realistic and a good way to approach her as a main character.

Trigger Warnings: Murder, infidelity, domestic abuse.

Final Thoughts: Overall, I thought this was an intriguing and uplifting addition to the thriller genre. It’s rare that a thriller’s ending feels so happy, if that makes sense. I don’t want to say too much and spoil things, but Alex was better off by the end, rather than having been traumatized by what she just went through, and that was kind of nice. I’d definitely read other books by this author, and I think thriller readers will like this addition to the genre, even if they guess the ending first.

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Buried by Jeffery Deaver

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

What It’s About: This is part of a series by Amazon where popular thriller authors write stories with a common theme of deception. This entry is about a serial kidnapper being tracked by a journalist.

Plot: I was surprised at how many twists Deaver was able to pack into such a brief narrative. Overall, it was fun.

Style: I enjoyed the journalistic style of this. It was interesting to be able to follow the reporter’s line of thinking and the way he tracked his leads throughout the story.

Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, confinement in small spaces, sexual assault, murder.

Final Thoughts: I thought the commentary on old vs. new journalism was a cool take for this story, especially when the two types met in the end. I did think it felt a little like Deaver was trying too hard to make it relevant in terms of the issues, hence my rating, but it still came together to create a solid short.

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robinwritesallthethings's reviews 51 reviews

robinwritesallthethings's reviews
51 reviews