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zenzi2read's reviews
697 reviews
Seven Years of Darkness by You-Jeong Jeong
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love when an author can tell you how the book will end at the beginning and keep you interested. This book did feel overly long and slow down substantially in the middle, but it was an excellent idea. I’m glad that the storage chose not to focus on the policing aspect, but The crime and punishment angle was a bit weak and almost distractingly unrealistic overall, the character development for everyone and the way the stories converged made this an excellent slow burn mystery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse
Christmas Crimes at The Mysterious Bookshop by Otto Penzler
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A perfect collection of cozy holiday mysteries. Not a bad one in the bunch💙
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
The relationship between Skye and Vicky made this book worth reading. Themes of loss, forgiveness and maturing are explored in a way that was satisfying but still realistic.
Philadelphia jumped off the page which I loved. The relentless creep of gentrification in my hometown abcs the violence it causes was also shown but the story was generally optimistic.
At times it felt long but I still loved it
Philadelphia jumped off the page which I loved. The relentless creep of gentrification in my hometown abcs the violence it causes was also shown but the story was generally optimistic.
At times it felt long but I still loved it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Police brutality, Death of parent
Minor: Transphobia
Finna by Nino Cipri
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Jules and Ava‘s relationship is too threadbare to be the foundation of a book! By their own admission, they weren’t friends before they quickly started dating, and their relationship had more to do with their own codependency issues then any true basis for a long-term relationship. Many times as I read this book I considered DNF. The only reason I kept reading is because it was so short it seemed silly to stop. But I kind of knew where and how it would end so it felt like a loss, in the end, I wish that it had been a solo journey for Ava and had developed her character more. Their bickering and the lead the parts through the details of their break up derail this short story which could’ve been tense and adventurous.
A+ for representation
A+ for representation
The Birdcatcher by Gayl Jones
emotional
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
4.0
Womanhood and creative expression should coexist naturally, but our society creates a lot of tension between these two identities. That’s explored here.
I would say that this explores complex, relationships, and friendships, but I can’t tell if these people are friends. This book reminded me a lot of who is afraid of Virginia Wolf there’s disdain and enmeshment and equal measure.
I kind of wish there was more violence to be honest. Her attempts to kill her husband work cartoonish in some ways, but a cartoon would’ve tried more often.
I would say that this explores complex, relationships, and friendships, but I can’t tell if these people are friends. This book reminded me a lot of who is afraid of Virginia Wolf there’s disdain and enmeshment and equal measure.
I kind of wish there was more violence to be honest. Her attempts to kill her husband work cartoonish in some ways, but a cartoon would’ve tried more often.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia
The Body in Question by Jill Ciment
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
I think my knowledge of this author diminished my enjoyment of this book. The plot overall is a good one. There’s lots of tension around the affair and how or when people will find out.
There’s also mystery around the trial. The cases a compelling one Jill cement is an expert at creating a setting. I felt like I was at the trial and on the jury
I understood each characters motivations, and ultimately, I felt sympathetic to everyone except our mcs husband.
I think that I was supposed to be lightly unsettled by the age gap of 30 years, but ultimately sympathetic to his character arc but because the author was also in a relationship with a 30 year age gap that started when she was 17 all I felt was disgust. I was infuriated by the demands that he made of her and by his neediness.
She also describes his aging body and his growing feebleness in a way that prompts discussed more than empathy. Ultimately this is not a five star book because I don’t understand what the author wanted me to feel. I think she wanted me to feel torn, but I was disgusted. This man should know no peace..
There’s also mystery around the trial. The cases a compelling one Jill cement is an expert at creating a setting. I felt like I was at the trial and on the jury
I understood each characters motivations, and ultimately, I felt sympathetic to everyone except our mcs husband.
I think that I was supposed to be lightly unsettled by the age gap of 30 years, but ultimately sympathetic to his character arc but because the author was also in a relationship with a 30 year age gap that started when she was 17 all I felt was disgust. I was infuriated by the demands that he made of her and by his neediness.
She also describes his aging body and his growing feebleness in a way that prompts discussed more than empathy. Ultimately this is not a five star book because I don’t understand what the author wanted me to feel. I think she wanted me to feel torn, but I was disgusted. This man should know no peace..
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is more than 10 hours in audio or more than 400 pages in traditional form. That is simply too long for this type of book. I think that the attention and excitement of the book would have increased with some editing the last quarter of the book was is there solely to prepare for a series.
It feels clunky and tagged on and reduced my rating. There was nothing interesting about where this book landed. I also read another book in the series, a talent for murder, earlier this year. These books are too much alike to enjoy both of them. The police officer POV was completely unnecessary.
It feels clunky and tagged on and reduced my rating. There was nothing interesting about where this book landed. I also read another book in the series, a talent for murder, earlier this year. These books are too much alike to enjoy both of them. The police officer POV was completely unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
dark
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Another perfect Christmas story. A small slice of life with tension and mystery. The MC understands grace and in the hand of fate in a way that the other people in his life do not. The story ends leaving you wanting more. This takes place in a provincial town on the balance. Teetering on disaster. Hard times are on the way and they cannot be prevented, only braced for. The characters were complex and the world had underlying cruelty.
The Book of the Most Precious Substance by Sara Gran
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m familiar with this author and was expecting subtle slow burn horror. This however, is an erotic thriller.
I did like the way the mystery on rambled and the attention given to every character. I enjoyed our main characters arc and the way that the investigation slowly moved her out of the place of grief.
In some ways, this felt like a sensual Wizard of Oz😂😅
I did like the way the mystery on rambled and the attention given to every character. I enjoyed our main characters arc and the way that the investigation slowly moved her out of the place of grief.
In some ways, this felt like a sensual Wizard of Oz😂😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual assault, Violence
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
This was a call to action for cinder, able bodied white women. It was a thoughtful mix of personal anecdotes and statistics stat act up M Kendall’s POV.
It was a strange read for me as a black woman. Although the book was written by a black woman, it felt like it was written for white women to read and listen to. None of the information shared was new to me. And there was no call to action or information, that was new or specific to black women
It was out to have that centered my experiences, but for which I am not the intended audience. Excellent information but I’m a little confused.
It was a strange read for me as a black woman. Although the book was written by a black woman, it felt like it was written for white women to read and listen to. None of the information shared was new to me. And there was no call to action or information, that was new or specific to black women
It was out to have that centered my experiences, but for which I am not the intended audience. Excellent information but I’m a little confused.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment