skconaghan's reviews
451 reviews

Ten Lords A-Leaping by C.C. Benison

adventurous mysterious 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

3.5

REVEREND! OMG. 

Father Christmas definitely gets up to naughtiness in this one. And I was hoping for something a bit more firm to develop with another of the characters from the last novel—Julia. But I skipped one so I could finish the ‘leap’ novel before 2024 was up (yah, the Popsugar Challenge demand—I tried a few others, even started them, but they were horrid lads, and I don’t think I got through the first few chapters before claiming a DNF)…

But REVEREND— what were you thinking?? I suppose as he was on some strong drugs…for the ankle of course, though he wasn’t at all disappointed by his little post-midnight soirée.

A good made-for-itv Post-Cosy Murder Mystery.

Enjoying these—and yes I’ll go back to read #2 as I skipped it in sequence here…

Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.C. Benison

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

I’d say it’s a cosy mystery except for the effing & ceeing some of the parishioners enjoy, and for the lusty wee thoughts our otherwise lovely vicar entertains throughout about his congregation and a few of the townswomen. He’s not terribly naughty and he has a good heart, a tragic background, and the joy of his 9 year old daughter to keep him busy—as well as a penchant for stumbling upon murders. Or do they chase him, as his life history suggests…?

All the flavour of a cosy mystery for sure, and well narrated—but probably could have been 3h less.

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

A story full of intimate yearning, hope, anticipation, dancing on the edge of tension and conflict, with dramatic irony woven throughout that keeps the reader engaged.

Absolutely magical. 

I loved this duo, and with the updated covers, I will be adding them to my personal library…

Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I don’t even know why I picked this one up—the cover is deceptive. It gives off vibes that it’s going to be some smutty lazy writing about an impossible female lead. Yes. I judged the cover. Who doesn’t? But this cover needs a serious facelift.

The writing is sly, witty, with scenes of delightfully snarky banter, bloody well-paced battle action (probably a bit too much of this for my liking near the end), a slow-burn romance (yes, yearning), and while there are some minor missed-in-the-editing-process errors, the writing is creative and unexpected.

Well, okay, fine. There is a bit of tmi, but it takes a good 75% of the novel for it to show up and is more intimate than cringey.

The whole concept of using ‘the power’ was insane (and I do mean that literally), but so so creative. Imagine your worst enemy being yourself. Psychotic and yet, quite relatable. 

Another note on the irritating cover: The mc is ‘fragmented (which is explained) and would look nothing like this oddly slack-clothed blond... also she has a back full of scars, and is far from perfect as depicted on the —in not going to go on. You get the point. Ignore the cover. Read the book. 

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.5

Again, 3.444 

 

More of the same from the first; lots of action; some repeat of similar drama; casting doubt about conflicted characters and the measure of trust each is worthy of in the eye of the heroine; and forgiveness—the whole thing is really about the journey to forgiveness. 

 

A lot of interesting characters, but the choice to tell this in the first person perspective restricts the author from exploring the perspectives of other characters and therefore lacks the depth needed for turning this from a decent story into fantasy magic. 

 

The dialogue at times feels stiff and forced, unnatural and explanatory, often repetitive. Especially when we’re ‘furnishing a room with furniture’ and the like. However, there are moments of beautiful writing amid the verbosity. 

 

This novel is complicated, full of raging bloody battles and political conflict, yearning romances, forbidden love, magical elements, and an internal battle that takes years and years to tell over the course of this long—yes, very long for its content, though I can’t say it’s unenjoyable, cos there were bits—story. Some resolutions are too easy, while others are utterly improbable, and at the end, I think that’s what kept me from losing myself in the story, whether it was the immature internal battle or the wooden dialogue, I couldn't believe in the love-story that tried to weave itself through this otherwise epic tale. 

 

Still, though the execution leaves something to be desired, it is overall a rare setting and delightful concept. 

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

3.4444

This dragged quite in the story-building front-middle section and I almost didn’t continue to the end, but I’m stubborn. And I’m glad I finished and will read the sequel to see what comes next.

It is a very looooong story for what it contains, and there is some necessity for the length, but I feel less time might have been spent in certain relationship and more time with dragons.

Honestly, I was close to giving this a 4 when the dragons came into play— but then their part was so limited…

The growth of the main character throughout her journey here is the highlight of the complicated trajectory of her story, and we get a lot of insight into her growth. It is geared to young adults, though the age for this category seems to get older with each publication I read.

I can safely recommend this to students ages 12-18 (some romance, no explicit detail; some war, no gore) with no qualms or reservations, and that's a major positive in the genre.

Ends well, I have to say.

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Nothing like listening to a beautiful home accent…(narration by Ruth Urquhart was lovely!) and what an enchanting story. Ross really knows how to weave a complex tale with gorgeous conflicted characters we can connect with and root for… a delicate tapestry of interwoven stories written in beautiful prose. 

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

adventurous emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.0

An unexpected story that follows the journey of two initially unloveable characters, throwing them into an unlikely relationship that propels them to care for one another, even unto mutual admiration, and giving a chance to a love they might never have known if they’d never taken the leap of faith.

Oddly heartwarming, strangely touching, altogether not quite what I expected—yet thoroughly absorbing and delightful.

A beautiful surprise read.

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The premise of the story is a complicated request and an unrequited triangle of love that draws us all the way to the end. Beautifully paced storyline carries us through along side conflicted characters facing impossible situations—and their own complexities. 

A few inconsistencies in the setting made me quirk a brow, but I suppose it’s been written for the Americanised YA audience and not with authenticity to Asian culture at the forefront—though it is an otherwise gorgeous fantasy Asian setting.

Overall, an extremely enjoyable read, adventurous and tragic, with plenty of savoury characters and twisted storylines to keep us guessing—and after that ending, I’m still reeling. 

All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is a page turner through all the nostalgia of the late 70s, the 80s and 90s, and all across the map of America, chasing down missing girls and pressing into strangely linked cold cases.

The literary writing, simple language speckled with brilliance, is the gem of this story. The story itself is quite sad, quite ugly. But it is tragic beauty, full of hope and love and brilliant colour. In the midst of tragedy, there are fairytales and pirate adventures and the innocence of children and the sad realities of continued social injustice. 

It doesn’t grip you quite instantly —though it grips you, in a way— but then slowly inches hooks into your heart, and then it steals you away you in the final third and won’t let go until that brilliant end.

And what an ending…