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kinzo103's reviews
95 reviews
The Last Storm by J.D. Linton
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was a fun story. I appreciate that it encapsulated all of the plot within a shorter-length book but it didn’t feel underdeveloped. This book fits nicely into the genre of non-specific, Fae related romantasy that seems to be really popular right now. Unfortunately, I think that this book kind of gets lost within that rapidly expanding genre, as there isn’t much about this story that feels particularly unique or gripping. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and will be reading the sequel.
Trespass Against Us by Leon Kemp
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I have been waiting for this book release for months, and it did not disappoint! Exploring a haunted house with ghost hunters that see a shadow out of the corner of their eye every time they turn around was absolutely exhilarating! I really enjoyed the tender friendships that were built or repaired between the characters. I hope I carry Riley’s courage with me in any situation where I have to face down my nightmares to save the people I love. A stunning debut, I look forward to more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Outing
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
challenging
dark
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
4.75
This might truly be one of the most interesting concepts I’ve ever read. Every piece of this story left me guessing and wondering and predicting. Everything fell together in such a dynamic way that even with the crazy twists, everything still made sense and nothing felt unexplained. There were parts that left me poking holes into the concept, because I generally do NOT like stories built around time loops or layered realities, but the story came back around to fill those holes in for me. Marvelously well done, I wish I could read this again for the first time.
Viciously Yours by Jamie Applegate Hunter
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book absolutely met my expectations. The author tells you right up front: this is a romance set in a fantasy world with minimal world building and no plot other than the romance. I liked it for what it was. A quick and easy read. Will forever be remembered as the book where the guy cuts a chunk of his arm off.
Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone by Richard Lloyd Parry
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
There are so many feelings evoked by reading this book. Intense sadness for all the lives lost and irrevocably changed by both the natural disaster and the negligent response. Great appreciation at knowing about these lives that were impacted by the tsunami. Wonder and anger and fear. Ultimately I am thankful that I was able to listen to these very personal experiences and carry them with me, so that the lives lost will continue to be remembered and respected, and so that their loss can inspire greater preparedness for times of disaster and appreciation for times of safety.
Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan’s Disaster Zone by Richard Lloyd Parry
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
There are so many feelings evoked by reading this book. Intense sadness for all the lives lost and irrevocably changed by both the natural disaster and the negligent response. Great appreciation at knowing about these lives that were impacted by the tsunami. Wonder and anger and fear. Ultimately I am thankful that I was able to listen to these very personal experiences and carry them with me, so that the lives lost will continue to be remembered and respected, and so that their loss can inspire greater preparedness for disaster and appreciation for safety.
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed this blend of mystery and time travel and a reflection of motherhood. I am usually incredibly averse to any sort of time travel because if you think about it too realistically, it falls apart. I think that would still apply here, but I’m choosing to ignore it because of how much I enjoyed the journey back through time to solve this mystery.
Experiencing the main character traveling back through different phases of her son’s life and getting to enjoy him in a more authentic way was so touching and made me tear up more than once. I love this idea of exploring how well we know our loved ones and allowing forgiveness and redemption.
I really enjoyed the way the author laid different pieces of the mystery throughout the journey in a way that feels very satisfying when it starts coming together. I wish I could read it again for the first time just for that satisfaction.
Experiencing the main character traveling back through different phases of her son’s life and getting to enjoy him in a more authentic way was so touching and made me tear up more than once. I love this idea of exploring how well we know our loved ones and allowing forgiveness and redemption.
I really enjoyed the way the author laid different pieces of the mystery throughout the journey in a way that feels very satisfying when it starts coming together. I wish I could read it again for the first time just for that satisfaction.
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I very much enjoyed this story, I like the world building and the characters are fun and lovable. The writing wasn’t my favorite, it felt like a lot of flowery cliches and the dialogue felt a bit unnatural. This didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story itself, I enjoyed the plot and all the features of the story but wasn’t finding the author’s distinct voice. Also, I’m so sad we aren’t getting a throuple!! :(
The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I may come back and update my rating once I've read the first book, but I was told that this could be read as a standalone without reading The Family Upstairs, so that's what I did.
This book was pretty good up until the ending when it started wrapping things up. Right when it felt like the action should start ramping up and we should get some satisfying resolutions to the tension that was being built, everything stopped and then everyone got nice, happy endings.
The Rachel and Michael story felt absolutely pointless and once resolved, felt like it contributed nothing to the plot and the rest of the story would have worked fine without it. It had an incredibly unsatisfying resolution. Henry was set up to be an absolute weirdo creep and he was... actually fine and just a good uncle?? Hated it. We spent the whole time building up the Finn situation and then he just turned up? Hated it.
I'm going to read the first book before making my final decision but ultimately, the way the resolution came about compared to the way each POV storyline was set up was very anticlimactic. I'm hoping that if I read the first book and make a connection with these characters, I'll enjoy the HEA they got in this book. But regardless, even if the HEA works, the buildup of the story didn't align with the emotions of the ending.
This book was pretty good up until the ending when it started wrapping things up. Right when it felt like the action should start ramping up and we should get some satisfying resolutions to the tension that was being built, everything stopped and then everyone got nice, happy endings.
I'm going to read the first book before making my final decision but ultimately, the way the resolution came about compared to the way each POV storyline was set up was very anticlimactic. I'm hoping that if I read the first book and make a connection with these characters, I'll enjoy the HEA they got in this book. But regardless, even if the HEA works, the buildup of the story didn't align with the emotions of the ending.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.75
I originally DNF'd this book, and was then recommended the audiobook, and wow. Anyone who isn't listening to the audiobook is being robbed of a fantastic experience. I think this is a boring book without it, because the formatting loses its character when you aren't hearing the sound effects and all the different voices.
The story itself was a total twister. It wasn't as predictable as most thrillers tend to be, and I think because of the title, I genuinely wasn't sure where it was going to end up. It probably would have been a four star for me except I felt like the ending was a bit open ended, and the author had to clarify events personally and I don't like that, I feel like it should be explained within the story. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience once I switched to the audiobook.
The story itself was a total twister. It wasn't as predictable as most thrillers tend to be, and I think because of the title, I genuinely wasn't sure where it was going to end up. It probably would have been a four star for me except I felt like the ending was a bit open ended, and the author had to clarify events personally and I don't like that, I feel like it should be explained within the story. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience once I switched to the audiobook.