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tblmegs's reviews
189 reviews
Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
5.0
Rating: 5/5 stars
I received an audiobook version of this book by Netgalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for my honest opinion and review of the book. All opinions are my own and only my own.
I sit in my local public library, wondering, just where to start with this book review. Mostly because there was just so much. First off, I just hope that there is a follow-up to this book. I believe that the author left it open ended enough for there to be one. Especially with Charlie’s promise to rescue Marlowe.
Ordinary Monsters was a long one. The physical copy of the book clocking in with nearly 700 pages, the audiobook version being over 24 hours long. I guess you could say that it’s quite a commitment. Though, a worthwhile one- as long as you can get past the slow beginning that is.
As stated, the book has a bit of a slow beginning. I mean, in the audiobook version, I don’t think that anything really truly began to happen after nearly four hours of listening to it. And there’s just so much going on, if you don’t pay close attention, it’s easy to get lost. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I had to backtrack because I didn’t pay full attention.
There is a lot of world-building in the book, something that I enjoyed a lot. Some things may not be understandable at first, but once you read more into the book, things start to make sense. There’s also quite a few different POV’s in the novel, meaning that you get perspective from nearly every character that matters or has a huge role in the story.
The school for talented children is a huge component in the novel though, it’s not until the last third of the book that anybody even makes it into the school. For most of the book, it’s just a looming destination- a possibility for both Charlie and Marlowe. But once at the school, that’s when things truly start to go down.
To be quite honest, I’m not even quite sure what to write in this review. Especially considering the whopping size of the book and the fact that it took me over a month to listen to the 24 hour long audiobook. The thing is, that I couldn’t stop thinking about Ordinary Monsters once I decided to commit to it. J.M. Miro truly did an amazing thing, writing a novel where you actually have to pay attention, where you can’t just skim it and put predictable pieces together.
As I continued on with the novel, I found myself wanting more and more. Heck, even now that it’s done and over with, I find myself wanting to get my hands on a second book that I’m not even sure will come into existence- it’s that good.
Miro does a wonderful job building a world full of talents in the mid-late 1800’s. With the settings, it’s not truly what I originally thought that it would be. The main characters quickly form lasting relations with one another once they meet, having both been cut from the same lonely cloth. And I enjoyed the whole “two masters” plotline in it. I mean in the end, was the villain actually a villain or just a misguided, mournful, troubled man? And was the one everyone was meant to look up to and behold truly as good and pure intentioned as he seemed at first glance? The book really makes you wonder and does a great job of drawing you in.
Overall, I can’t help but rate it 5 stars. I mean this was a book that I was recommending to people before I had even finished it and that’s saying something!
Again, a huge thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to read and review this book!
Betrayal in Time by Julie McElwain
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
5.0
4.9/5 stars
-minus .1 star for Kendra’s refusal to put Alec out of his misery and marry him.
If you know me, you know that I am completely and utterly obsessed with the Kendra Donovan mysteries penned by author Julie McElwain. I mean, sis has had me hooked since the first page. Though, the books are a combination of all of my favourite tropes. Now let me tell you, much like the previous three books, Betrayal in Time did not disappoint. At one point, I got a bit cheeky and thought I had it all figured out but Miss McElwain sure did throw in a twist.
It’s February 1816, Kendra Donovan has been stuck in Regency Era England for time now- over six months. And boy has she caused a stir during her short time there, kicking ass, taking names, solving mysteries, and having a love affair with her Guardian’s nephew. All while solving grisly murders with her past experience working as a profiler for the FBI.
As Kendra is still attempting to adapt to living 200 years in the past, her and her Guardian, The Duke of Aldridge are summoned to London to solve the murder of Sir Giles Holbrooke. Left naked and garroted with his tongue cut out, Kendra and the “team” jump right in to solve the murder of the British spymaster. Though, everything is not as it seems. As Kendra and Co. start gathering information on the man and his relations, they stumble upon what seems to be a large cover-up of a military operation gone wrong.
It quickly becomes clear that the murder is not just a one off as Sir Giles Holbrooke isn’t the only one found dead and with his tongue cut out. No, the murderer is clearly somebody with a plan, and they’re out for revenge.
Now listen, I know some people are unhappy for Kendra not accepting the fact that she now lives in the 19th century. Sure, her refusal to have a chaperone at times can be a bit annoying, but can you blame the damn woman? I mean, being thrown 200 years into the past where women are looked upon as inferior and “weak of mind” has to be absolutely maddening. I know damn well that I’d likely act the same way as the rogue FBI agent.
There were a lot of things that I enjoyed about the book. Well, to be honest, I enjoyed the whole thing. It was absolutely amazing, I love being proved wrong in mysteries. McElwain did a great job at putting a twist on the case, I regret being a bit cheeky and thinking that I had it figured out (I most definitely did not have it figured out). The writing was amazing, and I couldn’t stop reading. But, it’s often that way when I’m reading the Kendra Donovan series as well, it’s my favourite series.
The one thing I did not enjoy is Kendra’s refusal to advance her relationship with The Marquis of Sutcliffe- Alec Morgan. End the man’s suffering already and marry him! Not only because you love him, but also because you’ll get more “freedom” as a married woman dammit! Though it does seem like Kendra is less combative about the idea of marrying her lover. I also quite enjoyed the potential love interest for the ever-growing Lady Rebecca. Although that journalist- Muldoon- seems maddening, he does seem to be genuinely interested in the woman. I really do love watching Rebecca come into her own.
Overall, it’s pretty obvious that I enjoyed the fourth book in the series. I mean, it was amazing, and I have to say probably my favourite out of all of them so far. Kudos to McElwain for writing such an amazing series. I don’t know where I would be without it because I cannot. stop. thinking. about. it.
Sundays at Tiffany's by Gabrielle Charbonnet, James Patterson
fast-paced
3.0
⅗ stars
Oh Geez Louise, where do I begin? This isn’t my first rodeo with this book. In fact, I believe this may be my third. If I recall correctly, I read this book at age 13, and then again at age 17. And both times I loved it, considered it one of my favourite books actually. Until that is, 24 year old Megs comes in and busts down the door. I mean, what was I thinking? This book was weird and made me uncomfortable at times to say the least.
The concept is cute. Really, it is. I understand why younger versions of myself picked it up to read. I mean, falling in love with your childhood imaginary friend. How romantic. Until you pick up the book and said childhood imaginary friend was a grown man. That never aged- even as you- the MC are now into your thirties.
Weird, right?
**
Growing up, Jane Jane Margaux was a lonely child. Her mother went through multiple husbands and her own father was not very active in her life. The one good thing she did seem to have though, was imaginary friend, Michael. To Jane, Michael was the most handsome, funniest, and sweet man she had ever met- even at the age of 8.
On her 9th birthday, Michael has to leave Jane, and this crushes her. Jane vows that she’ll never forget her imaginary friend. And she doesn’t. Some twenty years later, Jane still remembers him.
Even in her thirties Jane feels lonely. Having followed her Mother’s footsteps, Jane works producing Broadway musicals, heck, she’s even dating a Broadway actor. But her “perfect” life is cutting it for her. She feels alone as she had when she was a child.
That is until Michael reappears in her life. And, he’s the same as she remembers him. Michael is still the sweet, handsome, and funny man that she knew as a child. But is he real or is she going crazy? And just why has Michael returned? And can she let herself love the man who broke her heart as a child again? Will he break her heart and leave her again? It seems that neither Jane nor Michael have any answers to these questions.
**
Like I said, seems cute and innocent enough, right? I mean, that’s until you keep reading it and you find yourself repeatedly putting the book down with a dramatic eye roll. The further you get in the book, the more odd it gets.
I mean, the concept is great, but something about a woman sleeping with the man that was her imaginary friend as a child just seems really strange to me. I mean, maybe if he was a kid like she was and later grown, it would be different. But we are talking about Michael being grown while Jane was a child, and her as an adult sleeping with him. It’s just a bit creepy and I can’t get past that.
That and the book was so cliche that it hurt. I mean, where is the originality?
I went in, hoping to feel a bit nostalgic as this was a book that I enjoyed as a teenager. But nope, adult me found it super weird.
Three stars but mostly only for the concept and the fact that I enjoyed it when I was younger.
As always, my review can be found on my Blog and Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1391673654
https://screamingaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/sundays-at-tiffanys-by-james-patterson.html
As always, my review can be found on my Blog and Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1391673654
https://screamingaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/sundays-at-tiffanys-by-james-patterson.html