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zenzi2read's reviews
691 reviews
You Should Have Left by Daniel Kehlmann
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
The last half held a lot of tension but for me the first half had almost none. It was still an interesting character study.
I enjoyed this mix of folk horror and haunted house.
I enjoyed this mix of folk horror and haunted house.
The Sequel: A Novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Anna is a protagonist worth following! She is an impulsive agent of chaos that lets know slight go unpunished.
A mystery novel that takes place in the literary world can be a bit dry, but Anna brings excitement and tension to every interaction with the public and conversation with her team.
This was a real page Turner. I couldn’t put it down, and I wondered if Anna could imagine to evade detection with her risky behavior.
I was initially hesitant to read this because I felt that the first book did not need a sequel, but this lived up to its predecessor. There was a portion of the middle that felt overly long, but ultimately the book gathered steam after the midpoint.
A mystery novel that takes place in the literary world can be a bit dry, but Anna brings excitement and tension to every interaction with the public and conversation with her team.
This was a real page Turner. I couldn’t put it down, and I wondered if Anna could imagine to evade detection with her risky behavior.
I was initially hesitant to read this because I felt that the first book did not need a sequel, but this lived up to its predecessor. There was a portion of the middle that felt overly long, but ultimately the book gathered steam after the midpoint.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Felt like a lifetime movie.
He'll Come Knocking at Your Door by Robert R. McCammon
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one was a straightforward folk horror that I really enjoyed. It’s extremely traditional and it’s delivery and writing. This was my first time reading this author, and it was very enjoyable.
I prefer more character development in my horror and would’ve liked some additional information here
I prefer more character development in my horror and would’ve liked some additional information here
Intimacies by Katie Kitamura
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
The secondary characters in the story felt vibrant and complex. Unfortunately, our nameless character felt you did end and left enough introspection to give weight to her plot.
I spent much at the book waiting for a personal revelation or internal breakthrough. But in the end, it seems like I was supposed to buy into her Lifeless and passionless relationship with a married man
This is the terrible book, but it’s not one that I would recommend. Publishing blurb says that this book reads like a thriller, and I don’t feel that that is true..
The best part of this book was the time we spent with her as a translator. The sessions were really well done.
I spent much at the book waiting for a personal revelation or internal breakthrough. But in the end, it seems like I was supposed to buy into her Lifeless and passionless relationship with a married man
This is the terrible book, but it’s not one that I would recommend. Publishing blurb says that this book reads like a thriller, and I don’t feel that that is true..
The best part of this book was the time we spent with her as a translator. The sessions were really well done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings
Minor: Infidelity, Violence
The Ex by Alafair Burke
mysterious
tense
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 book strength lies in its character development and adherence to grounded, legal procedure more than any twist of the plot.
I figured out the mystery of this book very early on, but I remain entertained throughout. Unfolding of the relationship between the characters and the procedural nature of the defense investigation maintained the Tension.
The characters were complex, but still likable. The defendant was passive and not entirely trustworthy, but still had some like ability. The defense attorney was career driven and prone to infidelity, but still maintained a trustworthiness at her core.
I figured out the mystery of this book very early on, but I remain entertained throughout. Unfolding of the relationship between the characters and the procedural nature of the defense investigation maintained the Tension.
The characters were complex, but still likable. The defendant was passive and not entirely trustworthy, but still had some like ability. The defense attorney was career driven and prone to infidelity, but still maintained a trustworthiness at her core.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Mass/school shootings
Terminal Velocity by Blanche McCary Boyd
adventurous
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.0
This book had me from the first page. It started off very exciting and then it moved into our main characters backstory. The backstory was interesting as well, but not as exciting as the crime story.
I felt like her story of discovery was interesting enough to keep me connected to the story. She was an odd character, though. Spent most of the book, wondering if she has some type of mental illness or a tumor that affected her ability to reason.
In some ways, this was a satirical look at the lesbians of the 1960s, but it was written in a way that was super cynical and made all of these women out to be hypocrites. I would’ve appreciated a fully committed and purely passionate feminist in their midst.
I felt like her story of discovery was interesting enough to keep me connected to the story. She was an odd character, though. Spent most of the book, wondering if she has some type of mental illness or a tumor that affected her ability to reason.
In some ways, this was a satirical look at the lesbians of the 1960s, but it was written in a way that was super cynical and made all of these women out to be hypocrites. I would’ve appreciated a fully committed and purely passionate feminist in their midst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Lesbophobia
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
2.5
Welp. I don’t have much to say about this one. It was just fine. The characters weren’t quite developed enough for me. They were essentially a race of creature plus the person they lost + their occupation. Like grown-up Smurfs.
I’m also not a romance fan and this had one of my least favorite romance trope of all: enemies to lovers.
The plot itself was fine. This found family was supposed to be at various stages of healing, but frankly all of them seems stuck. No matter how long they lived at the house they struggled to save the names of loved ones or discuss their lives at all. This feels like the first stages of brief as opposed to where they were supposed to be, which is much further on.
Without spoiling anything the ending is what really took it down and not for me.
I’m also not a romance fan and this had one of my least favorite romance trope of all: enemies to lovers.
The plot itself was fine. This found family was supposed to be at various stages of healing, but frankly all of them seems stuck. No matter how long they lived at the house they struggled to save the names of loved ones or discuss their lives at all. This feels like the first stages of brief as opposed to where they were supposed to be, which is much further on.
Without spoiling anything the ending is what really took it down and not for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
I was so disappointed in this book. A lot of that may have been the way it was marketed. Calling it the devil anything and Shelving it as horror gave me a false impression of what I would be experiencing while reading.
To be clear, this is a mystery at best, but if I could only choose one genre, I would say historical fiction. Our main characters theories on psychiatry are laughable even for the time period.
The inspectors point of view read like a cozy mystery at best. Despite its gruesome subject matter, it lacked urgency.
The last 20% of this book rat up the excitement and tension. It was too little too late.
To be clear, this is a mystery at best, but if I could only choose one genre, I would say historical fiction. Our main characters theories on psychiatry are laughable even for the time period.
The inspectors point of view read like a cozy mystery at best. Despite its gruesome subject matter, it lacked urgency.
The last 20% of this book rat up the excitement and tension. It was too little too late.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Torture
Sula by Toni Morrison
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
This was an exploration of female friendships and gender roles. Morrison has a circular way of telling a story. We were introduced to a cast of characters before she settled in with a single-story line that ripple through the town.
This type of story- telling can be an acquired taste, but I enjoyed her descriptive language and use of dialect.
The most interesting thing about this book for me is that it is not Sula’s story. It’s the story of a towns reactions to solar and how they think about solar and how those thoughts impact their behavior. It’s a story about loving and accepting people who are ill. Which ultimately is something that people in this town are unable or ill equipped to do.
I also enjoyed the book, female friendships, and gender rolls. This book left my jaw on the floor multiple times.
This type of story- telling can be an acquired taste, but I enjoyed her descriptive language and use of dialect.
The most interesting thing about this book for me is that it is not Sula’s story. It’s the story of a towns reactions to solar and how they think about solar and how those thoughts impact their behavior. It’s a story about loving and accepting people who are ill. Which ultimately is something that people in this town are unable or ill equipped to do.
I also enjoyed the book, female friendships, and gender rolls. This book left my jaw on the floor multiple times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Excrement