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erinbrenner's reviews
504 reviews
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The first third or so of the book is slow and I almost gave up. I'm glad I stuck with it but I wasn't much for the somewhat vague ending.
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
The Liar's Dictionary by Eley Williams
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
Glimmer of Deception by Heather G. Harris
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was book 4 in a series with Jinx. Like the previous books, this was a fast, light read. The beginning was a bit awkard and contrived but the book soon found its rhythm. As much as I enjoyed the whole series, I think it would have been a stronger story as just 1-2 books. A lot of what fills each novel, aside from the first, is unecessary if they were all one book, as it's really just one story. Still enjoyable, however.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings by Neil Price
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Price is meticulous and thorough in his history of the Vikings. Starting with the late Germanic Iron Age and Migration period, the book gives an excellent context and background for the Scandinavian people, following them into the Vikings Age to its end. Price pulls together a massive amount of archeology and theory to try to view the Vikings as people rather than the popular myths they've been reduced to. It's a dense but fascinating look at a people who traveled the world at a time when that was extremely dangerous. While the Vikings truly were a violent people, they were also key to connecting the world together, through both raiding and trading. This book was well worth my time and effort.
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Centaur's Wife by Amanda Leduc
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, and Fire/Fire injury
The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This book immediately grabbed me. I liked finding out more about Nora's past throughout the book's present in the order that best served the current moment. But I was often frustrated with not knowing how old she was and how two periods connected. I was most way through the book before understanding she was 17 or 18. I didn't always know how old she was in past episodes, making the story confusing at times. The story and characters were enjoyable but I'm not sure I'd read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Medical content and Kidnapping