saintsnacky's reviews
63 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous tense slow-paced

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

2.75

Unfortunately, I couldn’t have been more let down by this book. 

Not only did this book contribute to a major reading slump, but it the story itself was just poorly executed. I had neutral hopes for this book and was very let down. 

I’m not sure who the target audience is. I don’t think it’s people who grew up with the hunger games, but I also don’t think it would be new-to-series readers. I just don’t know who this book is written for. 
 I personally was never curious about snows origin story, but SC had a lot to work with so I looked forward to it. I just don’t feel like this would be snows origin story, it all just seems unlikely. I’m conflicted about this book. 

I didn’t find Lucy likable, nor did I emotionally connect to any of the other million characters. There are so many characters names and they’re all nonsense names so I couldn’t keep anyone straight. 

The chapters absolutely drag. I’m not sure why, but I found myself rereading the same paragraphs and sentences over and over. 

Not a full spoiler— but the ridiculous ending of “haha! Gotcha! Didn’t think we’d let a brain like yours go to waste, did ya?” Made my eyes roll. 

The last chapter was super rushed and the rest was a bunch of nothing. 

Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

I am a huge FMcF fan, but this was not her best. This was very slow, very repetitive and the twist wasn’t exciting.  I usually read her books in one sitting, but this one took me a while and put me into a giant reading slump 

The Maid's Diary by Loreth Anne White

mysterious sad 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? Yes

3.0

The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This book is the same exact plot as verity. I am a huge Freida fan and not a fan of CH but verity is the superior version of this story. I’m so bummed. 

Im surpised CH didn’t sue FM for this honestly. 

Defending Jacob by William Landay

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Ward D by Freida McFadden

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

As always, McFadden writes a solid, engaging and amazing story. This wasn’t my fave of McFaddens, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Brain Damage by Freida McFadden

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

This book is a little different that McFaddens other books. While the twist isn’t as dramatic and insane as her other books, this book has much more character development and background. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can’t stop thinking about it!  

The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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? N/A

4.0

Really enjoyable story— but couldn’t stop picturing the mysterious beasts as the creatures in Scooby Doo (the movie) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.25