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squids_can_read's reviews
604 reviews
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The dragonets of prophecy are tired of being hidden in a cave where they are ridiculed day after day by their three dragon keepers. But everything changes when a nightwing comes to see how the dragonets are doing only to find out that instead of the required skywing, a rainwing stands in its place. Now the dragonets have to fight to keep themselves and each other alive.
This was such an interesting book because the main characters are dragons but in this world there are still humans. So the perspective does take a little bit of time to get used to but once you do, this book is an adventure.
First the characters, I thought that the characters were very good, if slightly simply written. Their wants are very simple which makes sense because they are meant to be young. One thing that I wasn't totally sure about was how quickly the dragons age so it was hard to get a firm grasp on how mature the dragonets were supposed to be. The other dragons were really interestingly written and their characters were beautifully rendered.
Next, the setting. The setting is a little hard to talk about because we mostly stay in the same place for this book. However, I though it was beautifully written. The words that the author choose were well picked and descriptive. I'm curious to see how the rest of the places are described.
Finally, the plot. This book is really interesting to be a book designed for younger ages. There is a lot of violence within this book but it doesn't feel out of place. Every action that happens makes sense and the background is super interesting.
Overall, this book is super interesting and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
This was such an interesting book because the main characters are dragons but in this world there are still humans. So the perspective does take a little bit of time to get used to but once you do, this book is an adventure.
First the characters, I thought that the characters were very good, if slightly simply written. Their wants are very simple which makes sense because they are meant to be young. One thing that I wasn't totally sure about was how quickly the dragons age so it was hard to get a firm grasp on how mature the dragonets were supposed to be. The other dragons were really interestingly written and their characters were beautifully rendered.
Next, the setting. The setting is a little hard to talk about because we mostly stay in the same place for this book. However, I though it was beautifully written. The words that the author choose were well picked and descriptive. I'm curious to see how the rest of the places are described.
Finally, the plot. This book is really interesting to be a book designed for younger ages. There is a lot of violence within this book but it doesn't feel out of place. Every action that happens makes sense and the background is super interesting.
Overall, this book is super interesting and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
Murder Road by Simone St. James
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.0
April and Eddie are going on their honeymoon. At least they were before Eddie makes a wrong turn and they end up on Atticus Line in the middle of the night. Suddenly, they see a young woman on the side of the road. Picking her up may be the biggest mistake of their lives. Now April and Eddie are murder suspects. But something brought them to Coldlake Falls and that something doesn't want them to leave.
Overall, I thought that this thriller was really interesting. I enjoyed that the characters kept secrets from each other but it wasn't malicious. It was more because they were just people. I did think that the mystery was overall really interesting. However, I thought that the execution of the mystery didn't turn out the way that the author wanted it too. There were very little rules that were established and things just seemed to go right for April and Eddie. I didn't think that the killer's motivation was fully explained whatsoever. I'd say that the first 100 pages were really good then it just went down from there.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author though because the writing style was super good!
Overall, I thought that this thriller was really interesting. I enjoyed that the characters kept secrets from each other but it wasn't malicious. It was more because they were just people. I did think that the mystery was overall really interesting. However, I thought that the execution of the mystery didn't turn out the way that the author wanted it too. There were very little rules that were established and things just seemed to go right for April and Eddie. I didn't think that the killer's motivation was fully explained whatsoever. I'd say that the first 100 pages were really good then it just went down from there.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author though because the writing style was super good!
This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us by Edgar Cantero
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Adrian and Zooey are twins who are a constant in each others lives. Literally. Adrian and Zooey inhabit a single body, one controlling the left side of the brain and the other controlling the right side of the brain. Now, days after being released from a mental institution, A.Z. is being asked to consult on a case. Though it seems simple at first, A.Z. is thrust headfirst into a mystery that even they might not be able to solve before it's too late.
This book was amazing! The characters were amazingly written. The dialogue was hilarious. The mystery was super interesting. Honestly, I ate this book up. It was seriously amazing and I would 100% recommend it. I really hope that this is the first in a series because I really want to see more of A.Z.
This book was amazing! The characters were amazingly written. The dialogue was hilarious. The mystery was super interesting. Honestly, I ate this book up. It was seriously amazing and I would 100% recommend it. I really hope that this is the first in a series because I really want to see more of A.Z.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Most people have never met their birthday twin. Especially not one born on the same day, in the same year, and in the same hospital. But this coincidence that brings Alix and Josie together. Except that maybe Josie isn't all that she seems and Alix has invited her into her life.
I actually really hated this book. The characters were one-dimensional, the plot was weird, and the ending was terrible. I didn't care about any of the characters to be honest, except for the children and they really weren't a huge part of the story. The plot was mostly told instead of shown as this is a mixed media book where huge swaths of characterization are given to the reader through transcripts of podcasts. It was an interesting idea but there is almost no characterization outside of these large paragraphs of dialogue. I probably would have given this book a 2.5 or three stars instead of 1.5 if the last chapter hadn't been included. There is a big twist at the end that makes all of the characters unreliable narrators. Typically I really enjoy unreliable narrators but each narrator cannot be unreliable. The author also introduces doubt as to the truth but never clears it up. It was so confusing about what actually happened and what was a lie. It just seemed like this author was trying to combine several great ideas that just didn't go together.
I would give this one a pass.
I actually really hated this book. The characters were one-dimensional, the plot was weird, and the ending was terrible. I didn't care about any of the characters to be honest, except for the children and they really weren't a huge part of the story. The plot was mostly told instead of shown as this is a mixed media book where huge swaths of characterization are given to the reader through transcripts of podcasts. It was an interesting idea but there is almost no characterization outside of these large paragraphs of dialogue. I probably would have given this book a 2.5 or three stars instead of 1.5 if the last chapter hadn't been included. There is a big twist at the end that makes all of the characters unreliable narrators. Typically I really enjoy unreliable narrators but each narrator cannot be unreliable. The author also introduces doubt as to the truth but never clears it up. It was so confusing about what actually happened and what was a lie. It just seemed like this author was trying to combine several great ideas that just didn't go together.
I would give this one a pass.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
Strange is the name given to all orphans. But Lazlo is a little different than the other orphans. He is a dreamer. Sarai is also an orphan or at least her mother is dead and her father doesn't know that she is still alive. Now Lazlo and Sarai's paths are going to cross in the most heart wrenching way.
I really enjoyed the characters and their motivations. They were extremely diverse and well written. Though there were obviously characters who were wrong, I could understand all, or most, of the characters. The setting and the magic is super interesting as well.
The only thing that I really didn't totally enjoy was how quickly the romance occurred. It just felt a little rushed to me. There were definitely also loose threads at the end of the novel but the sort of makes sense since this is only the first book.
If you love fantasy and a sickly sweet romance, give this one a read.
I really enjoyed the characters and their motivations. They were extremely diverse and well written. Though there were obviously characters who were wrong, I could understand all, or most, of the characters. The setting and the magic is super interesting as well.
The only thing that I really didn't totally enjoy was how quickly the romance occurred. It just felt a little rushed to me. There were definitely also loose threads at the end of the novel but the sort of makes sense since this is only the first book.
If you love fantasy and a sickly sweet romance, give this one a read.
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Marlinchen has never disobeyed her father, has never left the house. That is until one night her two sisters convince her to go with them to the ballet where she sees Sevas and her whole life changes.
This is a book about grief, family, abuse, love, obsession, possessiveness, and control. Saying that, I would 100% look up the trigger warnings before reading this book because it is dark.
The characters in this book are beautifully written. I don't have the words to describe how much I love these characters. The only way that I could probably communicate it would be to have you read the book. The same with the setting. Honestly this book was just beautifully written and I think that everyone should read it.
This dark fractured fairytale with capture your heart and tear it to pieces. But check the trigger warnings first.
This is a book about grief, family, abuse, love, obsession, possessiveness, and control. Saying that, I would 100% look up the trigger warnings before reading this book because it is dark.
The characters in this book are beautifully written. I don't have the words to describe how much I love these characters. The only way that I could probably communicate it would be to have you read the book. The same with the setting. Honestly this book was just beautifully written and I think that everyone should read it.
This dark fractured fairytale with capture your heart and tear it to pieces. But check the trigger warnings first.
When Ghosts Call Us Home by Katya de Becerra
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.5
Sophia's sister, Layla, is missing. The last official place that she was seen was her dorm but Sophia is positive that she saw a photo of Layla at Cashore House the set of Layla's cult classic film Vermilion. Now Sophia has found her way back to Cashore in order to find her sister but she may just have to face the fact that Vermilion was not just a movie.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were super interesting and well developed. I also really loved the way the story was structured, giving the Reader both the past and the present without being confusing. The sisterly bond between Sophia and Layla was also really interesting as the book explores what happens when Sophia realizes that Layla has been lying to her for years. The setting was also beautifully done. Honestly the way that Katya writes setting should be examined because dang.
The only think that I really didn't like about the book was the relationship that bloomed. To me it just felt like it kind of came out of nowhere. Especially because Sophia describes how she had to fight hard to get the friends she had but then she just kind of falls for this guy. It just didn't feel super realistic to me.
It was creepy in the perfect way. If you enjoy your thrillers with a great dash of horror, give this one a read.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were super interesting and well developed. I also really loved the way the story was structured, giving the Reader both the past and the present without being confusing. The sisterly bond between Sophia and Layla was also really interesting as the book explores what happens when Sophia realizes that Layla has been lying to her for years. The setting was also beautifully done. Honestly the way that Katya writes setting should be examined because dang.
The only think that I really didn't like about the book was the relationship that bloomed. To me it just felt like it kind of came out of nowhere. Especially because Sophia describes how she had to fight hard to get the friends she had but then she just kind of falls for this guy. It just didn't feel super realistic to me.
It was creepy in the perfect way. If you enjoy your thrillers with a great dash of horror, give this one a read.
Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
People go to Atlantic City to escape somethings. A bad marriage, an abusive family, high expectations, and even themselves. But Atlantic City isn't the place of new opportunities that it once was. It's run down, filled with prostitutes and gamblers. So when women start to go missing no one blinks an eye until Clara has a vision.
This book is not a thriller. I think that's the most important thing that I can say. Do not go into this book thinking that this is going to be a thriller because it's not. Instead I think this book could be better classified as a social commentary on women's role in a run-down society. This book really focuses on how each woman who finds herself in Atlantic City wants to be part of something bigger and is instead made into something small by society. Eventually these women are able to break the belief that they have to follow what role society has set out for them.
As such, the characters and their stories were pretty interesting. The only thing that I didn't totally love was how slowly it started. This book is about 330 pages but it didn't really start getting interesting until about maybe page 100. Which is really long for a book that only about 300 pages. But otherwise I really enjoyed this book.
If you want a book that has social commentary about what society views to be women's place and women defying that along with an interesting changing of point-of-views, this book is for you.
This book is not a thriller. I think that's the most important thing that I can say. Do not go into this book thinking that this is going to be a thriller because it's not. Instead I think this book could be better classified as a social commentary on women's role in a run-down society. This book really focuses on how each woman who finds herself in Atlantic City wants to be part of something bigger and is instead made into something small by society. Eventually these women are able to break the belief that they have to follow what role society has set out for them.
As such, the characters and their stories were pretty interesting. The only thing that I didn't totally love was how slowly it started. This book is about 330 pages but it didn't really start getting interesting until about maybe page 100. Which is really long for a book that only about 300 pages. But otherwise I really enjoyed this book.
If you want a book that has social commentary about what society views to be women's place and women defying that along with an interesting changing of point-of-views, this book is for you.
Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates by Eric Jay Dolin
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
3.0
I'm sure you've consumed some media that had pirates in it. But how much of this wealth of media is accurate. Dolin dives into the actual exploits of several pirates while also exploring the evolving relationship between pirates and colonists.
I have fairly mixed feelings about this book. It was very slow to start and I don't think that it ever picked up the pace. This could be due to the fact that this is a non-fiction book but I have read some really fast-paced non-fiction novels and this was just not one of them. I also thought that Dolin talked around his points in most chapters. He typically never just came out and said the point he was making. I also think that Dolin over provided on the examples without moving between them very well. The examples were interesting but there were so many of them that weren't fully explained or were explained to much.
Overall, I thought it was an interesting read and I learned a little bit more about pirates than I did before. I think this would be a great book to start with if you want to learn about pirates but I would branch out from here.
I have fairly mixed feelings about this book. It was very slow to start and I don't think that it ever picked up the pace. This could be due to the fact that this is a non-fiction book but I have read some really fast-paced non-fiction novels and this was just not one of them. I also thought that Dolin talked around his points in most chapters. He typically never just came out and said the point he was making. I also think that Dolin over provided on the examples without moving between them very well. The examples were interesting but there were so many of them that weren't fully explained or were explained to much.
Overall, I thought it was an interesting read and I learned a little bit more about pirates than I did before. I think this would be a great book to start with if you want to learn about pirates but I would branch out from here.
11/22/63 by Stephen King
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
A time travel story by Stephen King? More likely than you would think.
Firstly, the characters. These characters were super interesting and well written. I really enjoyed all of the inner turmoil that the main character was going through as it felt extremely human. Despite the fact that some of these characters were actual people, I didn't think that it was poorly written. I did also enjoy the personification of time.
The plot was also super interesting, however I thought it was a little long. Obviously Stephen King writes long books but I didn't think that this book needed to be this long. There were a lot of points where the story dragged and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it.
But beside the length I thought that the book really payed off. This is the first Stephen king book that I cried to and it might or might not be the last. If you can stick it out for over 800 pages, definetly give this one a read.
Firstly, the characters. These characters were super interesting and well written. I really enjoyed all of the inner turmoil that the main character was going through as it felt extremely human. Despite the fact that some of these characters were actual people, I didn't think that it was poorly written. I did also enjoy the personification of time.
The plot was also super interesting, however I thought it was a little long. Obviously Stephen King writes long books but I didn't think that this book needed to be this long. There were a lot of points where the story dragged and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it.
But beside the length I thought that the book really payed off. This is the first Stephen king book that I cried to and it might or might not be the last. If you can stick it out for over 800 pages, definetly give this one a read.