skylarbraxton's reviews
100 reviews

The Whisper Man by Alex North

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

I have two main qualms with this book personally, the biggest is by far, I’m not sure the author has been to Chicago. There were details that just did not make sense, and it took me out of the story, because I was constantly like - no that wouldn’t be right. I wish I didn’t know the city or the book took place in a different city I didn’t know so I could simply suspend my disbelief a little bit more. 

Next I wish the characters were more of a focus. I will say the last third of the book is the part I enjoyed the most. It felt mostly Character Driven. I enjoy fantasy and so I am okay with suspending a little disbelief and just believing what you tell me. I also know nothing about science and don’t even know where to begin. So learning about the Box was by far the part I cared about the least in this book. 

The saving grace for this book for me was how much Jason loved his wife. I sobbed over it. I love a story where the man is just obsessed over the woman he loves and the fact that he was ready to do everything to get back to her was so heartwarming and heart wrenching. There is a point where he says “I was made to protect and love that woman,” instant tears. You could truly feel how much he loves his wife. 

I actually thought the ending was great, however the reason for it was not. I started to understand the science more by the end, but I just wasn’t a fan of the added complications. I will say it was insightful to see the different facets of Jason and how one decision and drive can change your motivation and values in such a short amount of time. However, that also felt unrealistic to me and something I personally just had to accept and move on from. 

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

4.0

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

adventurous dark mysterious fast-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? No

2.0

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

medium-paced

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

3.0

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0