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vaughanreads's reviews
86 reviews
Holly by Stephen King
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Martian by Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Enigma of Room 622 by Joël Dicker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
I wasn't in the mood for this library loan, so I'll revisit another time.
Vox by Christina Dalcher
dark
emotional
fast-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
5.0
Welcome to Neverbury by Chris Lynch
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Review = 3.8 / 5
Engagement = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re-read = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🐙
'Welcome to Neverbury' is a collection of short-stories that all share themes of horror, mystery and death but also have a layer of cheek and charm draped over.
Chris Lynch's writing is superb and I honestly had to pace myself and not read this from cover to cover immediately.
🐙
The writing is highly accessible! The stories are mostly around 10-15 pages on average so you could easily slip one in on a lunch break.
I do think that it would be nice to see more depth and substance to a few of the stories because they have excellent bones, but unfortunately end too soon. My favourite by far was 'Time and Tide' because it had so much to it, whilst also being a delightful short story!
🐙
Through Lynch's warm witticisms, you grow to love so many of the locals in Neverbury. Somehow you find the local postman loveable, even though he's a vicious serial killer at night 😂
The only thing - which is a limitation of the short story format - is that the characters can only have so much depth before the story is over.
🐙
If you're someone looking for a perky book of short stories to keep in your back pocket, then this is ideal! Not too scary, so quite accessible for non-horror fans who might be curious.
Engagement = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re-read = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🐙
'Welcome to Neverbury' is a collection of short-stories that all share themes of horror, mystery and death but also have a layer of cheek and charm draped over.
Chris Lynch's writing is superb and I honestly had to pace myself and not read this from cover to cover immediately.
🐙
The writing is highly accessible! The stories are mostly around 10-15 pages on average so you could easily slip one in on a lunch break.
I do think that it would be nice to see more depth and substance to a few of the stories because they have excellent bones, but unfortunately end too soon. My favourite by far was 'Time and Tide' because it had so much to it, whilst also being a delightful short story!
🐙
Through Lynch's warm witticisms, you grow to love so many of the locals in Neverbury. Somehow you find the local postman loveable, even though he's a vicious serial killer at night 😂
The only thing - which is a limitation of the short story format - is that the characters can only have so much depth before the story is over.
🐙
If you're someone looking for a perky book of short stories to keep in your back pocket, then this is ideal! Not too scary, so quite accessible for non-horror fans who might be curious.
The Dead of Winter: Ten Classic Tales for Chilling Nights by Cecily Gayford
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Short stories have grown on me this year and I'm fond of the format. However...this was not the one.
I think my biggest issue was that some of these short stories are not modern; the writing is sometimes frilly and personally it's a turn-off for my attention span.
Wish I could have stuck it out because 'Smee' was excellent! Maybe I'll revisit it one day but, for now, it's a no.
I think my biggest issue was that some of these short stories are not modern; the writing is sometimes frilly and personally it's a turn-off for my attention span.
Wish I could have stuck it out because 'Smee' was excellent! Maybe I'll revisit it one day but, for now, it's a no.
The Outsider by Stephen King
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Star Rating = 3.8 / 5
Engagement = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Language = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re-read = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've always loved a proper mystery/thriller but I've never read one with a supernatural element before. I think King nailed this and I was hooked from the start. I spliced reading the paperback with the Audible edition, so I ploughed through the pages quite steadily!
The characters overall were incredible! I have so much love for Holly in particular and feel obliged to read the Bill Hodges Trilogy as soon as I can. I also picked up 'Holly' on release because of the recommendations and award it picked up recently.
The story of 'The Outsider' is paced very well and drip feeds the nuggets of information. There are a few "Oh...my god" moments which were HUGE! 🤌 It really nails the pure gut-wrenching pain that wrongful convictions evoke - not just for the accused, but the wider social circles around them.
As ever, the Stephen King books are really accessible and the writing isn't a problem at all. 'The Outsider' luckily doesn't fall prey to any overly descriptive passages - take 'IT' for example - which is great because the page count is fairly high as it is. 😅
What Stephen King books have you read? Any recommendations for me? 🤡
I confidently recommend this to anyone who likes content from Agatha Christie, Lucy Foley and other mystery/crime writers. 🕵♂️
Engagement = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Language = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re-read = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've always loved a proper mystery/thriller but I've never read one with a supernatural element before. I think King nailed this and I was hooked from the start. I spliced reading the paperback with the Audible edition, so I ploughed through the pages quite steadily!
The characters overall were incredible! I have so much love for Holly in particular and feel obliged to read the Bill Hodges Trilogy as soon as I can. I also picked up 'Holly' on release because of the recommendations and award it picked up recently.
The story of 'The Outsider' is paced very well and drip feeds the nuggets of information. There are a few "Oh...my god" moments which were HUGE! 🤌 It really nails the pure gut-wrenching pain that wrongful convictions evoke - not just for the accused, but the wider social circles around them.
As ever, the Stephen King books are really accessible and the writing isn't a problem at all. 'The Outsider' luckily doesn't fall prey to any overly descriptive passages - take 'IT' for example - which is great because the page count is fairly high as it is. 😅
What Stephen King books have you read? Any recommendations for me? 🤡
I confidently recommend this to anyone who likes content from Agatha Christie, Lucy Foley and other mystery/crime writers. 🕵♂️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, and Child death
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
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? Yes
4.5
Total = 4.6 / 5
Engagement = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Language = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re-Read = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly...OH MY GOD! 😱
Now, the rest of the review 😅
My engagement did not waver once in these 464 pages. I was plugged in until I either fell asleep or had to put it down because I was getting too ahead of my partner who buddy-read this with me.
The language was uncharted levels of accessible. It was playing in my mind's eye with very little effort and it was SO moreish! Yes, it's a YA and that's usually the trend, but the writing was just such a treat to experience!
I absolutely love the plot! Great lane changes and twists (no spoilers). Honestly, I think I'm biased that I can't give a 5-star because I already know the story so well from the movies. The shocks weren't as shocking and that's not anyone's fault.
All of the core characters have a back story! Set aside the tributes, who frankly need to be somewhat mysterious due to the nature of the segregation of the districts, people like Katniss' Family, Peeta's family, Haymitch and Effie - so many people have at least one interesting piece of lore behind them that makes me immediately more invested in them. There are very clear stakes for everyone and Katniss and Peeta stand to lose all of it.
My ONLY negative I have to say is that I thought Peeta was playing a little too much with the star-crossed lovers aspect. It was entirely necessary to their survival and wasn't without it's genuine truth. However, when Katniss is even describing getting overwhelmed by his acting and sometimes having to evade his advances...ehhh I think it put the slightest shadow on a very bright character. Do I think this is Suzanne's problem? Or a genuine character flaw, whose love is getting the better of him? Who knows!
Hard 5 on the re-read. I'll be dipping back into this trilogy quite soon, I can forecast it already!
I have a million things I could rant on but I must stop! This is, in my opinion, required reading. Everyone read it. This is my royal decree!
Engagement = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Language = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re-Read = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly...OH MY GOD! 😱
Now, the rest of the review 😅
My engagement did not waver once in these 464 pages. I was plugged in until I either fell asleep or had to put it down because I was getting too ahead of my partner who buddy-read this with me.
The language was uncharted levels of accessible. It was playing in my mind's eye with very little effort and it was SO moreish! Yes, it's a YA and that's usually the trend, but the writing was just such a treat to experience!
I absolutely love the plot! Great lane changes and twists (no spoilers). Honestly, I think I'm biased that I can't give a 5-star because I already know the story so well from the movies. The shocks weren't as shocking and that's not anyone's fault.
All of the core characters have a back story! Set aside the tributes, who frankly need to be somewhat mysterious due to the nature of the segregation of the districts, people like Katniss' Family, Peeta's family, Haymitch and Effie - so many people have at least one interesting piece of lore behind them that makes me immediately more invested in them. There are very clear stakes for everyone and Katniss and Peeta stand to lose all of it.
My ONLY negative I have to say is that I thought Peeta was playing a little too much with the star-crossed lovers aspect. It was entirely necessary to their survival and wasn't without it's genuine truth. However, when Katniss is even describing getting overwhelmed by his acting and sometimes having to evade his advances...ehhh I think it put the slightest shadow on a very bright character. Do I think this is Suzanne's problem? Or a genuine character flaw, whose love is getting the better of him? Who knows!
Hard 5 on the re-read. I'll be dipping back into this trilogy quite soon, I can forecast it already!
I have a million things I could rant on but I must stop! This is, in my opinion, required reading. Everyone read it. This is my royal decree!
Big Bad by Chandler Baker
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5