whatellisreadnext's reviews
629 reviews

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

adventurous mysterious medium-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

3.0

The magic system is fascinating, but I was left wanting more from this, would recommend if you're looking for something easy and cosy.

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

dark emotional funny mysterious 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

This trilogy has been a joy. So unique and readable. The gothic setting, the brooding love interests, the pet fox. The magic is fascinating without being too heavy-handed. I've read each book after the other, and I have no regrets. The ending made the entire last book for me. It was heartbreaking and mending. I've spotted a Christmassy novella coming towards the end of the year, which I am very much looking forward to, I just want to be with these characters indefinitely. 

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

adventurous mysterious slow-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? Yes

3.0

Great ideas, but it lacks the execution to be great. I love portal fantasy, and one set in Japan sounded like just what my heart needed. The beginning is definitely better than the end, I'm not sure how I feel after all of those reveals. They felt like a massive reach and made me feel a bit icky. Not to mention the sex scene that wasn't needed and felt so awkward. The dialogue was clunky, but then there'd be a beautifully written musing on life... it was so jarring. I'm settling on a middle rating, as I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but I wouldn't really recommend it. There are better portal fantasies to choose from. 

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

dark mysterious medium-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

Belladonna was just what my tired little brain needed this week. Big ass vibey gothic house with ghosts. We follow Signa, who has always seen death, everytime somebody dies near her, there he is. And my God, he is hot, but not in a physical way, because he's just a shadow with a hood, but just his whole frigging presence and the fact he calls her 'little bird'. I am deceased, please Death, take me. No, but jokes aside this was actually really good. I'm pumped for the next installment.

The Lamb by Lucy Rose

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

I'm torn with my rating for The Lamb, but after going over it in my head for a few hours, I think a 3 star depicts well enough how I'm feeling. The writing is great, and propulsive, and I honestly couldn't put it down today. I feel like it's definitely best read in a few sittings. But overall, it just felt too literal for me. I kept getting taken out of the story, thinking how things wouldn't work how they did. I felt very similar about the book Ripe, how literal the story was. I think I just love my over the top plot points to be more speculative. I still had a good time with it, but there was definitely that disconnect, which is probably more of a me thing. Saying that, I would definitely read from Lucy Rose again, because I highlighted a lot of great lines throughout. 

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-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

I want moreeeee.  I hear a sequel is set to drop in 2031 🤣 so not ages to wait....... This wasn't Stormlight good but it was still pretty damn good. Brando Sando is the master of science fiction esc magic systems that just make sense. The characterisation was again on top form, and I can't wait to delve deeper into the stormlight archive now I've had a quick interval. Characters from Warbreaker cross over into that series so I'm excited to see who will pop up. 

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

This was fun and wacky and I really enjoyed the journey. We follow Nate who recently lost his parents, escaping to the cabin in the woods he was left in the will, only to stumble upon a man called Alex and a young girl named Artemis who have been staying there. This whole thing has cosy action movie vibes, which I didn't know was a vibe I needed, but this book really got me through being ill this week. I do wish it'd pulled on my heart strings some more, I didn't cry like I expected, but I enjoyed the journey non the less. Thanks again to Book Break for the gifted copy.

Lamb by Matt Hill

dark mysterious sad medium-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

3.0

Sometimes, things are better left ambigious. The first two-thirds were fab, engaging, and gross, which I loved. But the ending tied everything up a bit too much for me and felt very hand-holdy. The writing is great though, so I would definitely pick up more from Matt Hill in the future. The audiobook was a brilliant way to experience this if you're wondering whether to pick it up. 

The Outsider by Albert Camus

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I've very much enjoyed my first Albert Camus. I find when I pick up an ebook, usually just before bed, they have to grab me quickly, or else I'll end up trying something else. This grabbed me straight away. We follow a main protagonist who doesn't uphold the rules of society. Refusing to grieve how people think he should, refusing to get married, refusing to feel guilt for a terrible act, refusing to believe in god. The writing is stark and very much emotionless, but the story is propelled forward, Camus seems to comment on everything and nothing. I will definitely be picking up more from him in the future, The Plague has been staring at me from my TBR for over a year.

Strange Pictures by Uketsu

fast-paced

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

2.0

Clunky writing, not a horror book, not even a good mystery book. But it read quickly, and the use of images was fun. It's just a shame there is such a lack of substance.