zoe_o_'s reviews
418 reviews

The Endless Vessel by Charles Soule

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I met this author at a trade event, and signing a copy of the book for me, he simply wrote, "It's the journey." I knew nothing about this book when I started it other than that I liked the name The Endless Vessel.
We're seeing a lot of pandemic books coming out now. Where authors explored more abstract ideas, and themes of togetherness and loneliness appear more strongly. This is clearly one of those novels. And while it was a wild ride, I truly enjoyed it.

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

adventurous informative medium-paced

5.0

I didn't know what to expect from this book, as I knew nothing of this art thief or the journalist who undertook this memoir. But I do love a white collar crime where no one gets hurt. Breitweisser stole more than two billion dollars worth of art in broad daylight without the tiniest bit of violence. This was a fascinating read, and at the same time sad. As Breitweisser begins stealing for the sake of stealing, and then for money, the charm and purity of his original motivations wears away. 

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen

dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand
Did not finish book.

I couldn’t get into it at all 

Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

This one just wasn't for me. 

Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 12 by Ayuko Hatta

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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? No

5.0

I was fully impressed by this book. Specifically, I loved they way this author connected the different characters and plot threads. This story contains mystery elements, and at no time did I feel like I was way ahead/frustrated with the characters, nor was I lagging behind and confused. The story struck the perfect balance, and I figured things out moments before the characters.
In short, I enjoyed this book so much I had to sit on it overnight before I wrote a review.
Also, the print copy smells very nice.

Saint Juniper's Folly by Alex Crespo

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0