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stellabyproxy's reviews
105 reviews
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Blood
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
2.0
Upon first picking up The Layover I was happy to take a break from mystery and thriller and dive head first into some lighthearted romance. What I didn’t expect was to grow and question my own upbringing and life goals alongside Ava. Although initially finding her rather annoying and being irritated by her self-victimisation, she slowly grew on me and eventually I was not only rooting for this coworker enemies to lovers romance but for her individual growth.
I was not expecting the little twist that came with Alexander’s surprise entrance however it allowed Jack to have his own growth and healing from past betrayals, just as Ava had. And seeing Gen and Pilot Paul’s evolution, although not as majorly documented, was adorable.
Overall a short and sweet read.
I was not expecting the little twist that came with Alexander’s surprise entrance however it allowed Jack to have his own growth and healing from past betrayals, just as Ava had. And seeing Gen and Pilot Paul’s evolution, although not as majorly documented, was adorable.
Overall a short and sweet read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
Pippa Fitz-Amobi… This little look into the catalyst for Pip’s EPQ and the moment that would change her life forever was truly captivating. The moment of realisation she has when she finally decides what topic ignites her soul is a collective “aha” moment. And I had to agree with her, her theory for Reginald Rent’s murder was much more elaborate and interesting.
Jackson also provides a deeper look into the dynamics of her friendship group and Jamie and Connor’s sibling relationships which was both informative and fun. Definitely would recommend reading this book after the other three, despite the fact that it’s timeline precedes the first book. It allows for a better understanding of who the characters are and makes it a lot more fun seeing the little details of their interactions and behaviours.
Jackson also provides a deeper look into the dynamics of her friendship group and Jamie and Connor’s sibling relationships which was both informative and fun. Definitely would recommend reading this book after the other three, despite the fact that it’s timeline precedes the first book. It allows for a better understanding of who the characters are and makes it a lot more fun seeing the little details of their interactions and behaviours.
Content Warnings
Minor: Terminal illness, Blood, and Murder
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is one of those where I think “great concept, poor execution”. The writing simply didn’t connect with me and the plot wasn’t as captivating as I thought it would be. Korede’s sister, Ayoola, is a serial killer who murders her boyfriends and has Korede clean up her messes but that’s about it.
We have some insight into their family history, specifically their father’s character and how it affected who they are today. And the general jealousy is outlined in Korede being the less “attractive” sibling and having to deal with the fact that her crush has fallen for her sister, who will inevitably try to kill him.
Despite being a mystery/thriller, there truly wasn’t much mystery or suspense. Korede’s confessional interactions with her favourite patient were probably my favourite part and they weren’t really a major plot point.
We have some insight into their family history, specifically their father’s character and how it affected who they are today. And the general jealousy is outlined in Korede being the less “attractive” sibling and having to deal with the fact that her crush has fallen for her sister, who will inevitably try to kill him.
Despite being a mystery/thriller, there truly wasn’t much mystery or suspense. Korede’s confessional interactions with her favourite patient were probably my favourite part and they weren’t really a major plot point.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Medical content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This book shot me in the heart and Holly Jackson pulled the trigger! The first half of As Good As Dead felt as close to your average mystery as you could get, with our honorary Sarge Pippa Fitz-Amobi absolutely spiralling and losing her shit. An almost The Woman In The Window atmosphere.
But that all took a sharp turn. The second half made me cry, multiple times. It made me laugh, it made me hope. It made me questions right and wrong, and truth and justice. I was rooting for Team Pip and Ravi all the way and Holly Jackson made sure of it. Which made the last chapters even more gut wrenching. If Pip was a ticking time bomb then I was sitting right there with her, within the blast radius. Absolutely blown to smithereens. Every “Sarge”, “It’s me and you, trouble”, “I don’t want to lose you,” and “he was my best thing” completely shattered me. I wished to take away half their pain, to share in their fears and I did. Pip said, “If it was a choice between me and you, I choose you,” and I wholeheartedly choose them. Mariah Carey’s Always Be My Baby started playing as I read the last page and I sobbed for the entire song.
The answer to the question, “Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?” was found family. It was to love and to be loved and the things we do for that love. I wasn’t sure what direction this trilogy would go in after Good Girl, Bad Blood. It simply felt impossible for it to get any better, but it did. And it has solidified itself as one of my favourite books of all time. And my favourite series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Once again, an amazing delivery by Holly Jackson.
I have nothing to say other than the fact that Pip has got to be the busiest 18 year old I know and small towns hold the biggest secrets.
I have nothing to say other than the fact that Pip has got to be the busiest 18 year old I know and small towns hold the biggest secrets.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Cancer, Gun violence, and Rape
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What does one say about a book that has left them at a loss for words?
This story started with young academic Pippa who had a love for learning, a love for true crime and ultimately a love for truth. We see her as she tries to unearth the mysterious disappearance of Andie Bell and attempt to prove Sal Singh’s innocence, with help from Sal’s younger brother Ravi.
I would have loved to see more about Pippa’s personal life and have more on certain characters like Ravi or the Ward family but overall I really enjoyed the partners-in-crime dynamic between Pippa and Ravi and looked forward to every interaction between them.
This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me shake with anxiety. But it also made me have hope. Have hope in Pippa and Ravi and, above all, have hope in Sal.
This story started with young academic Pippa who had a love for learning, a love for true crime and ultimately a love for truth. We see her as she tries to unearth the mysterious disappearance of Andie Bell and attempt to prove Sal Singh’s innocence, with help from Sal’s younger brother Ravi.
I would have loved to see more about Pippa’s personal life and have more on certain characters like Ravi or the Ward family but overall I really enjoyed the partners-in-crime dynamic between Pippa and Ravi and looked forward to every interaction between them.
This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me shake with anxiety. But it also made me have hope. Have hope in Pippa and Ravi and, above all, have hope in Sal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Minor: Fatphobia, Rape, Self harm, Vomit, Grief, and Stalking
Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Infidelity
Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I rarely read a book after I have already seen the movie because I fail to detach the films interpretations from my own imagination and opinions. With Dead Poets Society being one of my favourite films I decided to give up my preconceived rules and give N.H. Kleinbaum a chance.
She certainly did not disappoint as this book took me on the same emotional rollercoaster as the film. With slight deviations, Dead Poets Society drew me into life as a young man at Welton Academy under the tutelage of Mr Keating. I celebrated their triumphs and cried at the sorrows and fell in love with their friendship.
“O Captain! My Captain!”, I hope to “gather [my] rosebuds while [I] may,” and make my life extraordinary!
She certainly did not disappoint as this book took me on the same emotional rollercoaster as the film. With slight deviations, Dead Poets Society drew me into life as a young man at Welton Academy under the tutelage of Mr Keating. I celebrated their triumphs and cried at the sorrows and fell in love with their friendship.
“O Captain! My Captain!”, I hope to “gather [my] rosebuds while [I] may,” and make my life extraordinary!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, and Sexual harassment
The Spy by Paulo Coelho
dark
reflective
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
4.0
Coelho has never shied away from harsh topics and The Spy is no different. In his own words, “Some books make us dream, others bring us face to face with reality, but what matters most to the author is the honesty with which a book is written.”
Set in the 1880s to 1910s, Coelho starts this novel with a prologue of Mata Hari’s execution before taking us on a journey through the life that would lead her there in the format of a letter to her daughter. The first few pages of Part I left me in such a pit of sorrow and disgust for the life Margaretha Zelle-MacLeod was faced with as well as the men in it, who depicted so accurately the misogyny and rape culture that plagues history and is still upheld today, that I physically required a ten minute break to collect myself and process all she has endured. In just a handful of paragraphs Coelho described enough trauma to last a lifetime, and trust me, it did.
For all its vulgarity and injury, Coelho remained true to his unadulterated writing style and depicted Mata’s strong character. In her letter to her lawyer she wrote, “I don’t know if the future will remember me, but if it does, may it never see me as a victim, but as someone who moved forward with courage” and I can 100% say that she had more courage than most will every fathom and endured more than anyone ever should. Her spirit is akin to a phoenix, rising from the ashes of her past lives.
The narrative of Mata’s sexual expression particularly piqued my interest. Having endured multiple periods of sexual abuse and then becoming a prostitute showed not only the manner with which hypersexuality can present itself but also an attempt to be sexually liberated and engage in casual encounters of her own volition, not in an act of violence. And this is only solidified in her views of exchanging pleasure for influence or possessions, how she is “tormented by self-created nightmares.”
This aside, The Spy is a book dipped in culture, with mentions of Freud, Picasso, Modigliani, Nijinsky, Wilde and many more. It has great commentary on history, identity, art, hope and self-liberation. Mata Hari came alive through Coelho’s words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and War