|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
my rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.03
| 23,698
| Jul 19, 2022
| Jul 19, 2022
|
really liked it
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Amazon Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Amazon Publishing and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Content warnings: animal attacks, cult, death, mature content, mention of cannibalism, mention of incest, mention of teen pregnancy, mentions of child abuse, mentions of self-mutilation, mentions of sexual assault, murder // Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading, as I may have missed some in my review. This novel contains many dark themes that can be disturbing to some. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 4/5 Stars Characters: 3/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 4/5 Stars Memorability: 3/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // The Big Dark Sky is a brilliantly written novel following the stories of various characters all connected to a mystery at the center of the spiderweb they’ve been caught in. Full of suspense and showcasing Koontz’s excellent writing style, The Big Dark Sky maintains Koontz as one of the best thriller writers. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing Page Count: 390 pages Release Date: July 19, 2022 Series: None Tags: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Science fiction, Suspense, Horror --- // Review // From the moment I started reading The Big Dark Sky, I was drawn in by the mysterious and paranormal nature of the novel. The homicidal forces that surrounded the characters posed a serious threat and made me want to know more about the peril. From a psychotic cult to murderous aliens, The Big Dark Sky presents a complex intermingling of evil forces that threaten to eradicate humankind. Dean Koontz is a master at using multiple points of view to build suspense and shows different storylines all barreling towards one focus. Think a Stranger Things-esque meetup at the end of the season but just in a book (yes, Stranger Things is and always will be my obsession… go watch Season 4). The point is that I love media that utilize this form of storytelling and it almost always keeps me engaged with the story. The Big Dark Sky is relatively fast-paced after the first few chapters and, as I mentioned, contains what seems to be many small plots. Still, they all connect in the end. The suspense and stakes of the situation rise rapidly throughout the book. However, I felt that the ending was too rushed and didn’t fit with the rest of the novel. Frankly, it was underwhelming and left me a little disappointed in contrast to the rest of the events. Without mentioning any spoilers, I will say that the final showdown between the characters and the monstrous evil attacking humanity would have been better had it been slowed down. Even though the fight was very predictable, it felt like the villain came out of nowhere? If that makes sense? Gosh, it’s so hard to review books without spoilers. Anyways, I was slightly disappointed with the characters in this novel. Usually, I can handle a large cast of characters and distinguish them from one another. Unfortunately, many of the characters just felt too similar to one another for me to truly connect to or care about them. Characters like Joanne, Ophelia, Colson, and Asher Optime stuck out, though. Joanne is a young woman whose past is shadowed by mystery, tragedy, and lies. Though, she doesn’t know it until mysterious occurrences haunt her house and dreams. The story allows her to discover the truth behind her past, unraveling the life she has known throughout her adult life. Ophelia and Colson are both captives of Asher Optime, a psychopathic egomaniac whose sole ‘purpose’ is to start and finish the destruction of humanity. For whatever reason—probably their homicidal tendencies—Asher reminded me a lot of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho (undoubtedly, though, Asher Optime could not possibly be more stylish than Christian Bale). Asher is determined to set himself apart from the rest of the human race. However, his choice of action is not to spread goodness throughout the world but instead to kidnap people, make them hopeless, and then kill them… all in the name of his twisted agenda shaped by a cult. Despite being completely evil, I found Asher Optime to be the most unique and memorable of the characters. Perhaps it is because he is the perfect villain for a thriller/suspense novel. One of my favorite parts of The Big Dark Sky was the setting. The isolation that the Rustling Willows Ranch offered added a chilling feel to the book. It is truly one of my worst fears to be far from civilization… being in/near the woods just intensifies my absolute terror. I’ve seen too many horror movies to know that taking a ‘fun’ little trip to an isolated place is practically a death wish. Can you tell I’m not an outdoorsy person? All parts of the novel came together to form a relatively cohesive and chilling tale of deception, secrets, and evil. Overall, I enjoyed reading The Big Dark Sky. There were many aspects that made this novel a worthwhile and suspenseful read. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jun 23, 2022
|
Jul 02, 2022
|
May 04, 2022
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||||||
1250268885
| 9781250268884
| 1250268885
| 3.90
| 78,625
| Mar 01, 2022
| Mar 01, 2022
|
really liked it
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to Minotaur Books Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Content Warnings: murder, violence, teen pregnancy, sexual relationship between an adult and a minor, drug deals, gun violence // – Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this book before reading, as I may have missed some here. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 4/5 Stars Characters: 4/5 Stars Writing: 4/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 3/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Fast-paced and thought-inducing, The Night Shift features a spectacular mystery that keeps one yearning for answers. Filled with fascinating twists and turns, Finlay’s latest thriller presents a vast cast of characters that will connect you to an outstanding whodunit. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Minotaur Books Page Count: 368 pages Release Date: March 1, 2022 Series: None Tags: Adult, Contemporary, Crime, Fiction, Horror, Murder mystery, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller --- // Characters // Though filled with a plethora of magnificent characters, the novel is split between three main characters with various circumstances and backgrounds. The way this story unfolded between its characters reminded me of Stranger Things (I’ve been rewatching the series in preparation for Season 4, of course); how all the characters deal with different pieces of the puzzle but eventually come together to form the whole picture. Ella is the sole survivor of the New Years’ Eve 1999 attack on the Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey. It was hard to understand Ella’s character at first. It is not until later in the novel that the book begins to unveil the reality behind Ella’s character and I began to understand her better. Ella is very obviously traumatized from the attack on her and her friends in 1999. She carries the survivor’s guilt from that night and finds it difficult to navigate adult life in 2015. Agent Keller is helping to investigate the murders of workers in an ice cream shop; a murder eerily similar to that of the Blockbuster murders. Chris is a lawyer with deep connections to the Blockbuster murder. Back in the day, his brother was the prime suspect in the Blockbuster murders. Chris now lives under a different name but becomes entangled in defending the suspect of the ice cream shop murders. All three of these characters eventually cross paths, but their journey to their meeting is what really makes the book interesting. It took me a while to become truly interested in this novel and its characters, but after reading half of the novel I began to care for Ella, Chris, Keller, and others. --- // Writing and Setting // I love media of the mystery genre that starts off with a bunch of little mysteries that need to be untangled in order to see the entire truth of the story. They typically keep my interest, just as this book did. The secrets contained in this novel span from 1999 to 2015. The past never seems far from the present, as murders similar to that of the ones on New Years’ Eve 1999 continue to occur as the characters race against the clock to find the culprit. --- // Plot // The plot, since this is a thriller/mystery, was my favorite part of The Night Shift. Though I’ve seen many people saying they thought this story was very predictable, I found it to be the complete opposite. I was completely entranced by how in the dark I was. Perhaps it was because it took me longer to read this novel that I wasn’t immediately struck with suspicions of who the killer could be. Regardless, I thought that this book was filled with surprises and twists and turns. As I’ve mentioned various times, the characters deal with their own sub-plots that contribute meaning to the overarching question of the novel: Who is the killer who struck in 1999 and 2015? --- // Wrap Up // Usually, when I am in a reading slump I do not finish the novel I am reading. However, The Night Shift was able to hold my attention and I’m so glad it did. Otherwise, I would have missed out on a chilling story containing betrayal, murder, and chaos. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jan 22, 2022
|
Feb 26, 2022
|
Dec 27, 2021
|
Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
0593359240
| 9780593359242
| B09DKDZQXT
| 3.32
| 41,815
| May 24, 2022
| May 24, 2022
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to NetGall Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Content warnings: child abuse, suicide, murder, murder of a child, attempted murder, gore // Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading, as I may have missed some in my review. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // A brilliantly written horror novel that kept me interested from start to finish. Hide exhibits a broad and unique cast of characters, each trying their best to survive the horrifying circumstances they unknowingly introduced themselves to. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Del Rey Page Count: 256 pages Release Date: May 24, 2022 Series: None (that I am aware of) Tags: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Suspense, Horror, Paranormal --- // Review // Wow. I don’t even know where to start with this novel. It has been so long since I was so involved in a book that I was sad to see it end, and even longer since I have read a breathtaking yet horrifying book. Hide is a truly excellent and distinctive book, one that I’m sure will stick with me for the near future. I had hardly any issues with Hide and flew through the book at an amazing speed (for me, anyway). The plot was fast-moving but filled with mystery and terror. I spent the novel wondering about the new discoveries being made by the characters throughout the story. The plot came together beautifully and is truly a masterpiece. Hide was reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Winterset Hollow in its game of survival. However, it stands out when it comes to its memorable and lovable characters, chilling setting, and horror. The story takes place in an abandoned amusement park where 14 characters are meant to hide for 7 days in order to win 50,000 dollars. Run down, haunted, and hiding deadly secrets, the amusement park seems like a hopeful opportunity until day by day Mack, Ava, LeGrand, and Brandon notice something is amiss. Their discovery of secrets reveals that they were not brought to Asterion—the home of this twisted game—to get a second chance. Rather, they were brought here to die at the hands of a devilish monster summoned here in generations past to protect Asterion. I felt like I could truly connect to the vibrant cast of characters that Kiersten White created. Despite having 14+ characters introduced almost all at once, it was not hard for me to recognize them all through the frequent POV changes in the novel. The evolution of relationships in Hide added so much to the plot; it raised the stakes. With realistic characters in an unfamiliar landscape and situation, White created an absolutely genius progression of fear. I have never wanted to see a book as a movie as much as I want this one to be. I can just imagine how terrified I would be while seeing Hide on a screen. Kiersten White’s writing style, too, is beautiful and perfectly fits the feel of this book. The way the author explores the character’s trauma while incorporating it into the plot was fascinating and made me admire the characters even more. ‘ I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to check out more of White’s works. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jul 03, 2022
|
Jul 08, 2022
|
Dec 14, 2021
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
1643138650
| 9781643138657
| 1643138650
| 3.72
| 2,675
| Feb 01, 2022
| Feb 01, 2022
|
really liked it
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to Pegasus Crime Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to Pegasus Crime for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Book Content Warning: death, murder, mentions of suicide, mentions of drowning, violence, sexual content // - Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this book before reading, as I may have missed some here. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 4/5 Stars Characters: 3/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 4/5 Stars Memorability: 3/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Because I had never read a novel by Paul Vidich before, I started reading this novel with no idea of what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the brilliant mystery within The Matchmaker: A Spy in Berlin‘s pages that ended with an epic demonstration of a woman’s determination. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Pegasus Crime Page Count: 352 pages Release Date: February 1, 2022 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Historical fiction, Spy, Suspense, Mystery --- // Characters // Anne Simpson is a woman living in West Berlin during 1989. She’s been married for two years to Stefan Koehler, a piano tuner who goes on frequent business trips. It’s not until Stefan doesn’t come back from a trip and she meets James Cooper that Anne realizes the life she has known for two years may be entirely false. Anne’s life is thrown upside down because of her discovery of Stefan’s supposed death and apparent betrayal. I found Anne to be a strong and stubborn woman who has had a terrible past few years filled with heartbreak and grief. And although I could see this in her, I didn’t feel a true connection to her (or any other characters, for that matter) until the very end of the novel. The characters weren’t as important to me as the events that occurred, and I felt that they weren’t as relatable as I’d hoped they would be. I always look for a connection with characters while I am reading, especially an emotional one, but for some reason this novel didn’t quite hit the mark in that department. Although I didn’t connect to the characters, that doesn’t mean they lacked depth. Most, if not all, of the main characters were fleshed out and had a backstory that impacted others or the plot. I loved the hidden layers of some characters, especially those of Stefan, who I spent the entire novel trying to figure out. --- // Writing and Setting // Vidich’s writing is compelling and descriptive, transporting one to an important time in history in which Vidich clearly did their research. Though I am anything but a history expert, I felt that the author did a fantastic job of conveying the importance and stress of Berlin in 1989. Although I hesitate to read historical fiction, the setting of The Matchmaker was my favorite part of the novel. The suspense in the air was clear and made me anxious for Anne as she attempted to navigate this new world of deceit she had been thrown into. --- // Plot // The best way to describe the pace of this novel is as a rollercoaster. The beginning and end of the novel felt as if they dragged on, and it took me a little while to get into the book. However, the action and suspense eventually became more frequent and intriguing towards the middle, and I found myself fascinated by its captivating mystery. The end of The Matchmaker left me in awe, as it was a twist I would have never expected. --- // Overall Review // I was delighted by the suspense of reading The Matchmaker, a thrilling spy novel set in Berlin during 1989. I will definitely be reading more of Vidich’s works. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Dec 23, 2021
|
Dec 27, 2021
|
Nov 09, 2021
|
Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
1625862083
| 9781625862082
| 1625862083
| 3.97
| 10,433
| Sep 01, 2021
| Sep 01, 2021
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Jonatha Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Jonathan Durham and Credo House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Book Content Warnings: death, violence, torture, animal cruelty, blood, stabbings // – Before reading this novel, please be aware that while I try my best to disclose any potential content warnings for novels I review, I may have missed some. Please educate yourself on the CW for this novel before reading, as there are many violent scenes and gruesome details. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Taking its rightful spot as my favorite book this year (and maybe of all time), Winterset Hollow is an immaculate mixture of good, evil, darkness, and light that had me hooked from beginning to end. Twisted and unexpected, I could not put this novel down until I knew the outcome of the horrific events that took place in this wonderfully mysterious and suspenseful novel. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Credo House Publishers Page Count: 286 pages Release Date: September 1, 2021 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Fantasy, Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Adventure --- // Book Description (from Goodreads) // Everyone has wanted their favorite book to be real, if only for a moment. Everyone has wished to meet their favorite characters, if only for a day. But be careful in that wish, for even a history laid in ink can be repaid in flesh and blood, and reality is far deadlier than fiction . . . especially on Addington Isle. Winterset Hollow follows a group of friends to the place that inspired their favorite book-a timeless tale about a tribe of animals preparing for their yearly end-of-summer festival. But after a series of shocking discoveries, they find that much of what the world believes to be fiction is actually fact, and that the truth behind their beloved story is darker and more dangerous than they ever imagined. It’s Barley Day . . . and you’re invited to the hunt. Winterset Hollow is as thrilling as it is terrifying and as smart as it is surprising. A uniquely original story filled with properly unexpected twists and turns, Winterset Hollow delivers complex, indelible characters and pulse-pounding action as it storms toward an unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling. How do you celebrate Barley Day? You run, friend. You run. --- // Characters // The novel introduces the reader to a trio of friends by the names of Eamon, Caroline, and Mark. Immediately, I was struck by how real Durham’s characters felt. It was almost as if I could envision them and reach forward to pat them on the shoulder. Their love for one another and friendship was apparent, making me automatically attached to the three. Eamon is a traumatized man whose childhood first consisted of living in the woods with his seemingly crazy father, then foster homes due to his dad’s disappearance. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Eamon from the start, for he had a confusing and, as I said, traumatic childhood. Caroline is a headstrong and lively woman who is dating the oblivious Mark. All three are on a trip to Addington Isle, the island which inspired the book Winterset Hollow, a book that got Eamon through his childhood. Yes, everyone, this is a book within a book, so get excited. *MILD SPOILERS* Once the three get to the island, the reader is introduced to the characters within the beloved Winterset Hollow: Runny (a rabbit), Flackwell (a frog), Finn (a fox), and Bing (a bear). These four are adorable at the start, but crueler intentions lay beneath the surface. The depth of each character and their relationships is so thoroughly written and undeniably realistic. The creativity with which Durham has written his characters is unbelievable. --- // Writing and Setting // Winterset Hollow is at first glance a fantasy novel that is light and jovial. However, underneath there are many gloomy and disastrous layers that are peeled back and observed throughout the progression of the story. The atmosphere of the novel is similar to its writing and best described as fantastically layered. One of the most important places in the novel is Addington Isle, the island that is supposedly magical, wonderful, and beautiful. --- // Plot // There is so much to discuss when it comes to the plot of Winterset Hollow. Not only are there so many terrifying horror and action scenes, but also a string of mysteries can be found throughout. As I’ve mentioned, Eamon and his friends take a trip to Winterset Hollow‘s place of origin, Addington Isle, home of the book’s author (not Jonathan Durham, instead E. B. Addington). They discover that the characters they grew up loving are real and inhabit Addington Isle. They’re invited to join in the Barley Day feast (a tradition of celebration for the Hollow’s characters), but things take a darker turn as the history of cruelty inflicted upon the Hollow’s animals comes back to haunt Addington Isle’s visitors. --- // Overall Review // Winterset Hollow is an unforgettable book that is impactful and deeply layered. I loved its twists and turns, characters, atmosphere, and horror. Overall, Winterset Hollow was a fantastic novel that I will never forget. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Nov 12, 2021
|
Nov 20, 2021
|
Oct 15, 2021
|
Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
1633375099
| 9781633375093
| 1633375099
| 4.09
| 784
| Sep 06, 2021
| Sep 06, 2021
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Boyle & Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Boyle & Dalton and Natalie Symons for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Book Content Warnings: death, murder, kidnapping, pedophilia, alcoholism, mental illness, self-harm, eating disorder, attempted drowning, homophobia (slurs), racism, sexual harassment, sexual assault, violence // – There are some graphic and disturbing scenes in this novel, so please educate yourself on the content warnings before reading, as I might have missed some. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Lies in Bone is a curiosity-inducing novel that examines the fragility of humanity and truth through the lens of a teen in the 80’s. Full of family secrets, lies, and discoveries, Natalie Symon’s thrilling novel took me on an electrifying ride with its vulnerable and realistic characters. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Boyle & Dalton Page Count: 402 pages Release Date: September 6, 2021 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Coming of age, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Thriller, LGBTQ+ --- // Book Description (from Goodreads) // Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for. On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing. Now, over twenty years later, Chuck’s teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this “busted and disgusted” town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in ’63, and Frank’s life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family’s dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny’s disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale. --- // Characters // Lies in Bone boasts a large cast of realistic and complex characters who are utterly human. I felt such deep connections to many of the characters, especially Frank, the main character whose story Lies in Bone tells. Frances (Frank) Coolidge is a fiery, determined, and responsible teen whose family is anything but functional. She’s the best big sister who’s always looking out for her little sister, Boots. Frank’s entire life is thrown upside down when her family moves to Slippery Elm to take care of her grandmother. Frank meets her best friend Ray, the taboo gay kid in a small town, and begins to adjust to her future in a dreary small town in a house full of secrets. Frank learns things she never knew about her family, specifically that she has a missing uncle, Danny. Her dad, Chuck, apparently neglected to tell her that on Halloween 1963, his little brother went missing and his own mother thought he was responsible. Frank begins her own investigation into the family secrets that her grandmother and father refuse to discuss. She refuses to give up until the very end, she is determined to solve a 20+-year-old cold case because it is just too personal. One of my favorite characters, Ray, is Frank’s best friend. I loved the realistic inclusion of a gay and POC character, and the criticism of homophobia. Ray is a relief in the continual darkness of a small town in the ’80s that is wrapped up in murders and disappearances. Frank’s mysterious and seriously messed up father, Chuck Coolidge, is a bundle of good and bad. I have mixed feelings about him, just as Frank does. To be honest, Frank, the 16-year-old, is more responsible than her father. To give Chuck some grace, he was looked upon as the murderer of two young boys at a young age, one of the boys being his own little brother. But still, his actions are questionable. Now, while I may love Ray, I love Boots a whole lot more. She is the most adorable character who is just along for the crazy and disturbing ride. I felt so sorry for Boots, as she is a young child experiencing the horrendous events in this novel. One of the aspects I most admire about this book’s characters is the growth all of them undergo. I was able to watch Frank and Boots grow up and adapt amidst the chaos. --- // Writing and Setting // The novel was full of fast-paced and slower-paced sections that balanced out perfectly and created a thrilling adventure. It was dark, twisted, terrifying, and disturbing. I loved reading about the dark corners of the small town of Slippery Elms during the late ’80s. The novel takes place in the ’80s (I love, love, love media set in the ’70s-’80s) in the decrepit small town of Slippery Elms that has a history of child disappearances and murders. The atmosphere was chilling and sinister, adding more to the suspense of the story. --- // Plot // There were so many twists-and-turns and ups-and-downs throughout Lies in Bone that I was shaking with anticipation. Discovering answers to questions burning in my mind was satisfying yet torturous since more mysteries were introduced along the way. Frank describes the moment her life began to plummet into darkness as the ominous move to Slippery Elms to take care of her grandmother. The start of the novel builds up deliciously to an apogee full of thrills. Murder, disappearances, family secrets, town secrets, crooked characters, and shady events can all be found within the pages of this anxiety-inducing novel. I truly do not want to say much about specific events in this novel, as every little discovery was a magnificent discovery for me and I do not want to ruin that experience for everyone else. --- // Overall Review // Lies in Bone is one of the most thrilling novels I have read in a long time. It has paved its way onto my list of favorite books. It was perfect in many aspects and kept me intrigued until the very end. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Nov 02, 2021
|
Nov 12, 2021
|
Oct 05, 2021
|
Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
3.36
| 5,206
| Jan 18, 2022
| 2022
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to St. Martin’s P Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Book Content Warnings: alcohol, blood, gore, mention of homophobia, mental illness, panic attacks, violence, disassociation, implied sexual content, sexual content, mention of sexual harassment, insanity, intrusive thoughts, disturbing scenes, death, death of an animal, graphic violence, sexism, pedophilia, sexual assault, sexual harassment, murder // – As always, please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading. This novel is especially heavy and contains many disturbing and dark scenes/themes that can make one very uncomfortable. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars – I would rate it higher if I could. Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Such a Pretty Smile is a chill-inducing novel that examines the patriarchy and sexism through a terrifying tale of death and mystery. Oozing horror at every flip of the page, I could not put this electrifying novel down until I read it cover to cover. Filled with relatable characters and emotion, Such a Pretty Smile was overtly thrilling, blood-curdling, and above all, powerful. --- “Those pure, innocent girls kept from anything that defined them in the name of protection, while their brothers carried on as if there was nothing to fear. But for them, there wasn’t. They would never understand the inherent trepidation that came as a result of being wrapped in girl flesh.” --- // Other Information // Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Page Count: 320 pages Release Date: January 18, 2022 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Horror, Suspense, Supernatural, Dark, Gore, Feminism --- // Book Description (from Goodreads) // A biting novel from an electrifying new voice, Such a Pretty Smile is a heart-stopping tour-de-force about powerful women, angry men, and all the ways in which girls fight against the forces that try to silence them. There’s something out there that’s killing. Known only as The Cur, he leaves no traces, save for the torn bodies of girls, on the verge of becoming women, who are known as trouble-makers; those who refuse to conform, to know their place. Girls who don’t know when to shut up. 2019: Thirteen-year-old Lila Sawyer has secrets she can’t share with anyone. Not the school psychologist she’s seeing. Not her father, who has a new wife, and a new baby. And not her mother—the infamous Caroline Sawyer, a unique artist whose eerie sculptures, made from bent twigs and crimped leaves, have made her a local celebrity. But soon Lila feels haunted from within, terrorized by a delicious evil that shows her how to find her voice—until she is punished for using it. 2004: Caroline Sawyer hears dogs everywhere. Snarling, barking, teeth snapping that no one else seems to notice. At first, she blames the phantom sounds on her insomnia and her acute stress in caring for her ailing father. But then the delusions begin to take shape—both in her waking hours, and in the violent, visceral sculptures she creates while in a trance-like state. Her fiancé is convinced she needs help. Her new psychiatrist waves her “problem” away with pills. But Caroline’s past is a dark cellar, filled with repressed memories and a lurking horror that the men around her can’t understand. As past demons become a present threat, both Caroline and Lila must chase the source of this unrelenting, oppressive power to its malignant core. Brilliantly paced, unsettling to the bone, and unapologetically fierce, Such a Pretty Smile is a powerful allegory for what it can mean to be a woman, and an untamed rallying cry for anyone ever told to sit down, shut up, and smile pretty. --- // Characters // The novel follows the past and present of Caroline Sawyer and her 13-year-old daughter, Lila. Before really going into Caroline and Lila, I want to mention how realistic, deep, and relatable the characters of this novel truly were. As this novel deals strongly with sexism, misogyny, and the patriarchy, both Caroline and Lila deal with various frustrating scenarios in which I was also frustrated. The author does a fantastic job of conveying the emotions of their characters to the reader, which made me become even more attached to their lively characters. Caroline is an artist whose life has been anything but easy. Though she does not remember, at a young age she was kidnapped by the infamous ‘serial killer’ ‘The Cur’. Though still alive in 2019, Caroline was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2004 when she started seeing ‘visions’ of strange half dog/half man creatures in the corner of her room, heard unreal dogs barking, and lost time as the days went by; all around the time of a series of murders and mutilations. Called crazy, Caroline submits to her drug-induced stupor and recommits her life to art in order to take care of her daughter, Lila. However, throughout the novel we see a new side of Caroline: the strong, powerful, and headstrong Caroline. In 2019, Lila is a 13-year-old with a crush on her homophobic best friend, Macie. It really cannot get worse than that: being in middle school while having a crush on your unattainable best (and only) friend. Alas, it does. Another series of young girls going missing and turning up murdered occurs, seemingly inducing a strange switch in Lila’s personality. Lila begins to hear dogs barking that aren’t there, see things that also aren’t, and becomes malicious. Caroline, of course, is disturbed by this change in her sweet baby. Things only get worse as more murders occur and Lila feels pressured by Macie to become increasingly different and rebellious. All of DeMeester’s characters were utterly realistic and relatable. As I said, the personalities of each character shone through and made me become even more connected to the characters and the story. --- // Writing and Setting // DeMeester’s writing is true magic, one that can transport you from your dimly lit room at night to an eerie scene. Everything was described in graphic detail, but not to the point of boredom. I could truly envision everything that occured in the novel and felt like I was there, which made the book’s horror even more terrifying. The in depth and practically poetic descriptions of this book’s events provided many gory scenes. Dark and energetic, the atmosphere of Such a Pretty Smile was inescapable and deliciously malevolent. The novel splits between Caroline and Lila’s points of view. Caroline’s POV differs between 2004 and 2019, which provides a unique view of past and current events in the book. --- // Plot // I have nothing but good words to say about Such a Pretty Smile‘s perfectly paced and anxiety-inducing plot. Every little detail is important in this novel, and you never have a good idea of what is truly real or false until the very end. Never a dull moment, Such a Pretty Smile is terrifying throughout the novel and never stops being so. The story centers around the lives of Caroline and Lila while a series of murders and mutilations occurs seemingly in the background. But, with Such a Pretty Smile, nothing is ever as it seems. Things become particularly serious for Caroline and Lila as Lila seems to change overnight and Caroline relives a similar killing spree from years before. --- // Overall Review // Such a Pretty Smile was eerily entertaining and powerful, conveying a strong message about the origin of women’s daily fear of the outside world. I cannot think of a better horror book I have read, for Such a Pretty Smile is the epitome of a perfect novel. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Dec 22, 2021
|
Dec 24, 2021
|
Sep 24, 2021
| |||||||||||||||||||
1649797257
| 9781649797254
| 1649797257
| 3.50
| 2
| unknown
| Jun 30, 2021
|
it was ok
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to Austin Macaule Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- Thank you to Austin Macauley Publishers LLC for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I am unable to provide a full list of content warnings since I was unable to finish reading this novel. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 2/5 Stars Plot: 2/5 Stars Setting: 3/5 Stars Characters: 1/5 Stars Writing: 1/5 Stars Memorability: 3/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // I started reading Dark Clouds Over Montana for its intriguing plot but was severely disappointed. Although I tried to keep reading, I could not look past how the story was carried out and how boring the characters were. Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing the book because I couldn’t look past its faults. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers LLC Page Count: 266 pages Release Date: June 30, 2021 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Thriller --- // Book Description (from Goodreads) // Biotechnology and medical inventions are exciting these days. Glenda Sands has a position as a patent attorney for a biotech corporation, where she is instrumental in getting these advancements produced. She is proud of her part in evaluating new treatments and potential cures to be approved and developed for the world’s population. But what if some of the scientists involved with her company are creating various forms of WMD to be sold as military weapons and disaster control using both organic and chemical compounds? Does the president of the company know this? The destruction she witnesses puts her family and friends in danger. Some may die as a result. A film company travels around Montana to film scenes for a new movie and they come upon the terrorists in wilderness areas and a small town. The scenes they shoot help the FBI and Homeland Security catch up with the criminals who unleash some painful consequences from their testing in this beautiful state. Glenda uncovers the actions people will take to use their knowledge and scientific discoveries for evil purposes and cause harm instead of good. She puts herself and those who work with her at risk to combat these forces that have infiltrated the military, the government, and her company. --- // Characters // One of the things that disappointed me in this novel was the lack of depth in the characters. There was a multitude of characters, yet none felt fleshed out or realistic. The first few chapters were dedicated to introducing the reader to all of the characters at once. Loads of information about every character were thrown at me within the first few chapters, which made the characters not only non-compelling but also forgettable. Personally, I prefer discovering more about the characters throughout the story, rather than learning all of their information at once at the beginning of the novel. The complete reveal of characters ruined the mystery and fun in discovering attributes throughout the story. --- // Writing and Setting // I was not a fan of the writing style, as it felt very bland and lacking liveliness. I felt like I was reading a non-fiction novel about actual events rather than a thriller. The atmosphere of this novel (besides the plot) is what kept me reading for so long. It is risky, mysterious, and full of shady events. The novel is set in a small town in Montana, where moving in warrants a full police investigation. --- // Plot // The premise of this novel is what intrigued me in the first place. However, I was very confused throughout the novel. The characters and writing style definitely did not help with my confusion, either. It seemed like the different POVs of the story were pointing in completely opposite directions. Maybe I didn’t read far enough into the story to see the clash of these directions, but I truly could not overlook many the disappointing aspects present. --- // Overall Review // I chose to give this novel two stars because I think it has potential. However, the characters, writing, and the lack of clear plot really made this novel drop 3 stars, in my opinion. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Oct 29, 2021
|
Oct 31, 2021
|
Sep 13, 2021
|
Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
B095J2FS7X
| 4.49
| 59
| unknown
| Sep 21, 2021
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you to GenZ Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you to GenZ Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from Corinth 2642 AD by Bindiya Schaefer. // Content warnings: racism, racial attacks, torture, sexism, homophobia, murder, child death, abuse, cult, misogyny // --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Corinth 2642 AD is an imaginative, mysterious, and thoughtful novel that will left me stunned with its brilliant and complex characters, fantastic mystery, and real life implications. --- // Other Information // Publisher: GenZ Publishing Page Count: 296 pages Release Date: September 21, 2021 Series: I am desperately hoping that Corinth 2642 AD will be a part of a series, but I cannot confirm or deny that it will be. Genre: Fiction, Young adult, Adult, Mystery, Science fiction, Dystopian --- // Book Description (via Goodreads) // In the year 2642, no one person is ethnically like the other. Globalization, war, and other catalysts have given birth to a diverse and multi-ethnic new world. Not everyone feels this new society is ideal, though. A select group creates their own colony—a pureblood, white supremacist cult complete with arranged marriages and heavily guarded borders. Cara yearns to escape her life in the colonies. For as long as she could remember, the seven colonies, led by her imperial grandfather Julius Bull, have only had one mission: protect the bloodline from contamination and produce the next generation of survivors. So, Cara makes a run for it. Desperate to keep her dissidence quiet for fear of potentially inciting a power struggle within the colonies, Bull brings in Jimmy Matoo—a Special Investigator from San Francisco whose brother was found dead near one of the colonies the same night Cara disappeared. For Matoo, the visit to Corinth, Oregon, is eye-opening. He has never seen a white person before and is shocked by their ideas of imperialism, racial purity, and the prospect of arranged marriages in the 27th century. Desperate to find out what really happened to his brother and his connection to Corinth, Jimmy learns that dozens of young people, all destined for loveless, arranged marriages, have gone missing over the years, and some had been found dead on the outskirts of Corinth. With the clock ticking, San Francisco’s Detective Matoo’s missing persons investigation soon becomes a fight for survival—turns out the residents don’t like a brown fellow in their midst. Can he find Cara, figure out what happened to his brother and save the Bull-Smiths from the Cabal before it’s too late? Maybe. But first, he must find out who in the colony has the means and connections to smuggle the dissidents out without being detected because it could be the difference between life and death. --- // Characters // The novel follows the story of Jimmy Matoo, an ex SFPD Special Investigation employee, who is now working through the grief of losing both of his brothers, Vir and Aric. Jimmy is hired by Julius Bull, the leader of a hidden colony called Corinth. The Bull family (which includes Julius, Rebecca, Jonathan, Florence, Cara, and Isaac) is the prime example of what a family in Corinth should be: white, straight, cis, and breeding. All of Schaefer’s characters were complex, unique, and real. While I cannot go into the complexity of each character without spoiling the novel or making this review look like an essay, I do want to say that the way in which Schaefer wrote her characters sets up the rest of the novel to be highly thought invoking and intriguing. --- // Writing and Setting // The atmosphere of this novel is very heavy, realistic, and a darker reflection of our world. Schaefer’s writing perfectly brings this to life by being descriptive but not overbearing with details. The world that Schaefer has created is phenomenal. The world outside of the colonies sounds like as close to a utopia as one can get. Outside of the colonies is One World, a world in which multiethnicity and diversity became a normal thing all over the world. Corinth and the other colonies were created by racist Caucasians to protect their bloodline from being ‘contaminated’ by the blood of non-white people. Corinth is a hellhole of misogyny, racism, and homophobia that I cannot even imagine spending one second in. The women in Corinth are essentially just baby-making machines. They’re limited on exercise, arranged to marry people, etc…. all just so the population of Corinth can rise. However, here is an example of how diverse and accepting One World is, because I hate Corinth after spending an entire novel there: "People no longer identified themselves by ethnicity. We were no longer Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, or biracial. We had become a beautiful multiracial generation. A generation that came to be known as One World." --- // Plot // As I mentioned, Matoo is hired by Julius Bull to come to Corinth. For what, you may be asking? Well, Bull’s granddaughter Cara, golden child and role model for Corinth, ran away from the ugly home she had endured for the entirety of her teen years. I’m just saying, I would do the same. But for Bull, this is potentially scandalous. If they don’t get Cara back, Bull’s power in the colonies could be challenged even more than they already are. Matoo accepts the job despite Bull’s obvious prejudices because of the fact that Bull has information regarding his brother, Vir’s, recent death for which Matoo has no explanation. When he arrives in Corinth, Matoo is met with situations he has never faced, people who hate him, and a need to discover the spiderweb that is Corinth. Corinth 2642 AD is fast paced and never with a dull moment. --- // Overall Review // The world-building, characters, and plot are all perfectly combined to create an expertly reflective novel that I hope will have a sequel. I need to know, I really do. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Sep 08, 2021
|
Sep 23, 2021
|
Aug 25, 2021
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||||
B094XMQBSY
| 3.75
| 57
| unknown
| Jul 12, 2021
|
it was ok
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you Orion Dash and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you Orion Dash and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I am unable to offer content warnings for this novel, as I DNFed it. However, be aware that there is mature content. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 2/5 Stars Plot: 3/5 Stars Setting: 2/5 Stars Characters: 1/5 Stars Writing: 1/5 Stars Memorability: 2/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // I was really disappointed with this novel. I had a huge issue with the writing and characters that made me not finish reading, which I do not typically do. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Orion Dash Page Count: 208 pages Release Date: July 12, 2021 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery --- // Book Description (via Goodreads) // A wedding dress. A love letter. A secret that will change everything… When Maggie Burnett discovers her mother’s beautiful wedding dress just days after she passes away, she wonders why she’d been told it was missing… Pinned to the waistband is a note that reads: ‘E, je t’aime. LS x’. ‘E’ must be Elizabeth, her mother, but who is ‘LS’? Could he be the father she’s never known? As Maggie’s seemingly happy life in London unravels, she decides it’s time to go home to Norfolk and figure out the truth once and for all. Even if it means running into Nick Forster, her secret childhood crush. What if this journey to the past is the key to a new beginning? --- // Characters // One of my biggest issues was with the characters in the novel. I didn’t care about any of the characters, especially Maggie, the main one. It was interesting to me that despite this being an adult romance novel, which is very clear even within the first 10% of the book, that all of the characters are written like teenagers in fanfiction on Wattpad. That sounds really harsh, but it’s how I feel about the book’s characters. And don’t get me wrong, the characters being written like a fanfiction isn’t necessarily bad. It’s that, them being teen-esque, and how none of them were likable or relatable that made the characters poorly written and not realistic. --- // Writing and Setting // I found it ill-fitting that the novel was written in a middle grade type style while the content within was pretty mature. It’s a weird mixture of middle grade and adult that put me off immediately. There was nothing remarkable about the setting, but nothing off-putting either. (I’m pretty sure) the novel takes place in the UK, London, maybe? --- // Plot // The plot itself is what motivated me to read as far as I did. Maggie is facing the death of her mother, the infidelity of her long-term boyfriend, and a quest to discover who her father was. One of the highlights of the novel that convinced me not to continue reading this novel was when Ed, Maggie’s boyfriend of many years who she thinks will propose soon, cheats on her. Maggie doesn’t really seem to care, which is crazy to me. --- // Overall Review // While I’m not a fan of romances anyways, I was by no means a fan of this novel. The Love Note might be a good read for fans of cheesy fanfic type romances, but not this bookworm. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
Aug 22, 2021
Aug 17, 2021
|
Aug 22, 2021
Aug 17, 2021
|
Jul 12, 2021
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||||
1250817447
| 9781250817440
| 1250817447
| 3.93
| 1,372
| Mar 08, 2022
| Mar 08, 2022
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Wednesd Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- A huge thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. // Book Content Warnings: death, mentions of violence, mentions of murder, mentions of sexual assault, mentions of necrophilia, sexual content, drug use // – Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this book before reading, as I may have missed some here. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Daughter is the chilling story of a teen thrown into a world of pain and depravity upon the discovery that her previously unknown father is actually an infamous serial killer. Thrilling at every turn, McLaughlin’s upcoming novel boasts a disturbing parallel to our world’s most notorious killers, told through the eyes of a brave teen willing to do whatever it takes to bring any possible ounce of closure to the families of her father’s victims. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Wednesday Books Page Count: 336 pages Release Date: March 8, 2022 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Family, Psychological thriller --- // Characters // Most of the characters in this novel are relatable and easy to connect to/empathize with (well, except for one… and don’t worry, I will get into that later). Scarlet Murphy is a seventeen-year-old living with her overprotective and paranoid mom, Gina. Scarlet is your typical teenage girl: obsessed over a popular boy, insecure, partying, etc. However, all of that normalcy is whisked away when she discovers that her father she’s never met is dying, and he just so happens to be the most infamous serial killer of the 21st century. Scarlet’s determination to do the right thing even at the expense of herself is astounding and commendable. Despite having gone seventeen years without living in her father’s shadow, she is willing to come face to face with a killer to potentially help the victims’ families. Scarlet takes on a burden that is not hers to bear; she didn’t murder anyone, her dad did. But Scarlet is faced with people who believe her mom helped carry out her dad’s murders, and the desire to help those her dad harmed becomes even stronger. Though she is just a normal teen, she adapts to the traumatic situations she must endure in order to help others. The evolution of Scarlet over the novel is fascinating and really lets one get inside the head of someone overshadowed by a malicious and evil legacy. Gina Murphy at first appears to be your run-of-the-mill helicopter parent who is a little too worried about their kid being kidnapped while at a sleepover. But what starts as seemingly overboard quickly becomes reasonable as the real Gina comes to life before Scarlet’s eyes. The reappearance of her ex-husband in her life causes Gina to stop hiding her true self: a normal, headstrong, but broken woman. Gina was unaware of the true nature of her husband until his trial, and ever since then, she has been living alone with Scarlet in order to protect her from those who have no idea of the tragedies that she’s suffered. Other fantastic characters include Agent Logan (an old acquaintance of Gina’s who helped her through the trial), Lucas and Darcy (Logan’s children), and Maxine (Scarlet’s cousin). Scarlet has gone seventeen years without a family (besides her mom). When hiding is no longer an option, she is introduced to a world Gina left far behind… a world in which Scarlet is not alone. All of these characters support Gina and are amazing people. I have to mention how adorable Darcy and Maxine’s relationship ends up being, and how could I forget Lucas and Scarlet? Now, to get to the man who has caused all of the pain, torture, and trauma within Daughter‘s pages: Jeff Lake, a serial killer, rapist, and necrophiliac. He’s the ‘Ted Bundy’ of the nineties and early 2000’s, known for his charm and ‘good’ looks which he used to lure his victims. Paralleling Ted Bundy’s M.O. and details of many other real and infamous killers, Jeff Lake is a horrible, evil, and downright appalling character. So, Kate McLaughlin did an excellent job at conveying the evil it takes to kill and created a sickening character that I hate with everything in me. Frustrating and crude, the challenges that Jeff presented to Scarlet upset and angered me. McLaughlin does a phenomenal job of getting you to feel like this book is real. It is so entirely close to reality that I’m surprised it isn’t. The characters, deaths… everything was so realistic and worldly that I felt a bond with Scarlet, Gina, and everyone else victimized by Jeff Lake. His victims felt real because in our world there are so many who suffered and continue to suffer equally or more gruesome fates. This novel is truly unparalleled. --- // Writing and Setting // As I mentioned with the characters, McLaughlin is absolutely stunning in their ability to convey emotion and reality through words on paper. The effect Daughter had on me was unexplainable and impacted me in a way no other novel has before. The reality of the cruelty of this world is perfectly and digestibly packaged in 336 pages. Ominous, dark, and gritty, the atmosphere and feel to Daughter is unmistakable and that of trying to navigate wickedness. The book takes place during modern times and in various places, as Scarlet and Gina are often traveling back and forth to Raleigh in order to see Jeff Lake. --- // Plot // I read this book in a day, which is usually an impossible feat for me. But, Daughter was just too good and too fast-paced to put down. The book starts off with the haunting story of the initial discovery of Jeff Lake’s horrendous crimes. From there, the novel spirals into a tale of family, hope, and cruelty. Scarlet is a normal teenager who wants nothing more than for the popular hot guy to like her back. She parties with her friends, gets drunk, and smokes. She’s worried about the typical teenage experience, which all seems vain in the face of a new obstacle in her life. She has always assumed her dad ran away when she was a baby, but her mom has never told her anything about him. At seventeen, she finds out that her dad is dying and his name is Jeff Lake; he’s a serial killer with approximately 50+ victims. Only having found 14 women/girls buried at his family vacation home in the early 2000’s, the FBI is hopeful that his looming death in 2022(?) will help loosen his lips and give away the names of his other victims and their locations. However, Jeff demands that he be able to see his daughter… and only then will he consider giving up names and locations. Scarlet bravely decides to face her father and try to pry what little power he clings to from his cold and cancerous hands before he can take more secrets to the grave. Those 50+ women deserve justice, and so do their families. Scarlet is willing to do whatever it takes to prove she is more than just a killer’s daughter. --- // Overall Review // Daughter is an astounding and unique novel that offers an experience like no other. I truly cannot think of another book that has truly touched my heart in such a profound way. McLaughlin is a true master of their craft, and I am undeniably enthusiastic to read more of their works. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jan 2022
|
Jan 02, 2022
|
Jul 08, 2021
|
Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
9798985378238
| B06Y2K5H2S
| 3.79
| 3,855
| Jul 21, 2017
| Jul 21, 2017
|
really liked it
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you to Stories Untold Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this nov Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you to Stories Untold Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from The Crowns of Croswald by D. E. Night. // Content warning: mentions of death, violence // --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 4/5 Stars Plot: 4/5 Stars Setting: 3.5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 3/5 Stars Memorability: 3/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Think Harry Potter but with a female main character and a mixture of many different tales from that of Percy Jackson and the Olympians to the Tales of Pixiehollow. The Crowns of Croswald is a nostalgic yet new spin on magic, mysteries, and chosen-ones. --- "Trust the magic in you and know I will forever be in the shadow of its light." --- // Other Information // Publisher: Stories Untold Press Page Count: 249 pages Release Date: July 21, 2017 Series: The Crowns of Croswald #1 Genre: Fiction, Middle grade, Children’s, Young adult, Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery --- // Book Description (via Goodreads) // This is a page-turning fantasy in the tradition of fairy tales, whimsical worlds, and coming-of-age stories. The Crowns of Croswald invites young readers to explore themes of stepping into their own magic, discovering their true selves, and battling evil head-on. Hailed by Kirkus Reviews as “an action-packed treat […] with a relatable heroine facing challenges in a vivid world of magic and mystery,” and called a new classic by readers, The Crowns of Croswald series is a magical romp through a fully formed universe with dragons, magical quills, potions, and mythical creatures. Ivy Lovely is 16 and she has no idea who she is—or what her powers could be. When she crosses a magical boundary, she discovers a whole new world of enchantment and mystery. Making friends that will last a lifetime—and save her life—she steps into her own abilities and discovers more about her hidden past, magical blood, and the power of Croswald’s mystical stones. But all is not well: a dark history and an evil Queen threatens all that is good. Will Ivy’s bravery and wit be enough? Curious and whimsical, both shy and brave, Ivy is a hero that connects with readers of all ages. For those who wished that Narnia, Harry Potter, and Alice in Wonderland could go on forever, Croswald opens a whole new world of magic. Recommended as a read-aloud for families and a first middle-grade fantasy read, The Crowns of Croswald is a four-part series that will carry readers to a whimsical world that they won’t want to leave. --- // Characters // The Crowns of Croswald boasts a moderately sized cast of characters, most of which I liked. The main character, Ivy Lovely, is a girl whose life is less than fortunate. Living as a scaldrony maid for Castle Plum, Ivy is unable to do what she loves most, draw and read. Ivy dreams of attending the Halls of Ivy, a school where royals learn to control the magic stones in their crowns and where sqwinches practice to receive quills as scrivenists. I found Ivy to be a very powerful and unique main character. One of my favorite characters was Humboldt, the dragon (mini-one, I believe) that Ivy is forced to take with her when she is fired from Castle Plum. Adorable and always there for Ivy, Humboldt is just one example of the fantastic creatures that The Crowns of Croswald exhibits. If I had to choose a creature from the novel as a pet, I would most definitely choose a dragon. --- "You are she, the one all of Croswald has been searching for. Waiting for, whether they knew it or not." --- // Writing and Setting // A large issue that I had with the novel is that while its content is most definitely juvenile/middle grade, the information and writing is more young adult. As an older reader, it was difficult for me to keep track of information and storylines at some points, so I can only imagine how frustrating that would be for younger readers. Nevertheless, I did love how D. E. Night brought their novel to life; it was vibrant, magical, and thrilling. I admired how much homage The Crowns of Croswald seems to pay to Harry Potter. For example; a magical boarding school; the main characters don’t realize yet that they’re the chosen one; an evil magic being. All of these aspects were things that the series had in common with Harry Potter. I loved the nostalgia this novel gave me, but only to a point. About halfway through the novel, there were a lot of similarities between the two series, and I began to see the novel as a Harry Potter fanfiction type novel. This eventually changed for me, but I can only imagine that this might be off-putting for many. Still, I did love the magic and world that Night created, no matter how similar it might be to Harry Potter. --- // Plot // I thought that the mystery aspect of this novel was perfectly executed. As Ivy attempts to navigate her newfound life, she stumbles upon various fishy things that the school’s headmaster (the Selector) attempts to hide. Odd occurrences change Ivy’s outlook on the Halls of Ivy and cause her to investigate. The one criticism that I have of the plot is that it was very slow-moving for me in the beginning. Some of the most perilous and dramatic scenes occur in the last few chapters of the novel, while the rest is primarily buildup and backstory. It’s just a personal preference of mine, and I know not everyone will agree, but I generally like novels that have an equal spread of action, mystery, etc. over the entire story. --- "You’re alive… You are Croswald’s only hope. This is your destiny." --- // Overall Review // The Crowns of Croswald is perfect for tweens who love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Tales of Pixiehollow. I adored the nostalgia and magical feeling of finding a world to escape in. This novel brought me back to my childhood and my discovery of my love of reading. --- FOLLOW ME: Blog || Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Aug 03, 2021
|
Aug 09, 2021
|
Jul 01, 2021
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
0425098087
| 9780425098080
| 0425098087
| 3.91
| 26,792
| Jan 01, 1986
| Jan 01, 1987
|
it was amazing
|
None
|
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Feb 26, 2022
|
Mar 23, 2022
|
May 31, 2021
|
Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
B08FBLQ3B4
| 3.70
| 738
| Aug 07, 2020
| Aug 07, 2020
|
really liked it
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you so much to NetGalley and Serial Box for providing me with an ARC of this novel Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- Thank you so much to NetGalley and Serial Box for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from The Haunting of Beatrix Greene by Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, and Vicky Alvear Schecter. // Content warning: death, violence, gore, mature content // --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 4/5 Stars Plot: 3/5 Stars Characters: 2/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Writing: 4/5 Stars Memorability:4/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // A mediocre novel, The Haunting of Beatrix Greene features a haunting yet very predictable tale. Not to say that its predictability makes it any less horrifying and creepy. --- "'Twenty years ago... my mother killed my little brother. Then she killed herself.'" --- // Other Information // Publisher: Serial Box Page Count: Release Date: August 7, 2020 Series: The Haunting of Beatrix Greene #0.1 Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Horror, Historical fiction, Gothic, Paranormal, Mystery, Supernatural, Fantasy, Historical, Romance --- // Book Description (via Goodreads) // In Victorian England, a savvy spiritual medium must outsmart the most important client of her career: a scientist determined to expose frauds like her. But their game of wits has fatal consequences when a vengeful spirit answers their summons. If they cannot put aside their prejudices—and growing passion—and find a way to banish the ghost together, one of them could be its next victim. Get a sneak peek of The Haunting of Beatrix Greene by bestselling authors Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, and Vicky Alvear Schecter. --- // Characters // I have to start of my review of the characters by saying that this is where the novel lacked the most. I felt that while the idea of the characters was interesting, it was not executed well. I don’t know whether this stems from the fact that there were three authors collaborating on this novel, but the novel still lack consistent characters. Besides the inconsistencies with the characters, I also found that they were mostly flat and didn’t have a life to them. However, I did love the interactions between the characters. I thought that these were written perfectly. The novel follows the journey of Beatrix Greene, a medium who’s… not really a medium. Her assistant, Harry, was by far my favorite character; he’s just adorable, aloof, and hilarious. --- "It undid her. Thoroughly. This man, this odd, distant man, who had grown up in a house of blood and terror and was even now looking at her, with all her own demons, and seeing her. Truly seeing her. Admiring her. Understanding her. Oh, it was foolish and mad, and she might regret it, but right now, she could not see how." --- // Writing and Setting // When I first heard that The Haunting of Beatrix Greene was written by 3 different authors collaborating together, I was very excited because I thought that all of them would bring something different to the table. However, I found that this was not the case. Despite being descriptive and perfectly spooky, there was no difference between the chapters written by the three authors. Personally, my favorite part of this novel was its haunting atmosphere. The Haunting of Beatrix Greene captures the spookiness and peril of the situation perfectly. The Ashbury Manor, a haunted manor FYI, is a place that Beatrix and Harry must explore to prove it is haunted. --- "It is not the first night screams have rung through the halls of Ashbury Manor. It will not be the last." --- // Plot // I have mixed feelings about the plot. On the one hand, investigating a haunted murder mystery seems very interesting to me. On the other, I felt that the mystery itself was not very present. However, the spookiness that was promised was definitely there! I kept glancing at the corners of my room during the night wondering what was lurking there... perhaps the ghosts from the novel. --- "...she had been the dead. Been possessed by the dead. It was real, and suddenly Beatrix was part of this... place. This haunting." --- // Overall Review // While I do feel that there were some issues that could be improved upon, The Haunting of Beatrix Greene is a spooky and promising start to the series that Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, and Vicky Alvear Schecter have created. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jul 24, 2021
|
Jul 24, 2021
|
Sep 09, 2020
|
Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||||
0062567985
| 9780062567987
| 0062567985
| 4.05
| 21,397
| Oct 02, 2017
| Oct 03, 2017
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- // Content warning: PTSD, murder, blood, death, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, slave Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. --- // Content warning: PTSD, murder, blood, death, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, slavery, insinuations of sexual assault // --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // The Last Namsara is a magical novel that leads the reader on an adventure of discovery through the eyes of a badass main character. Think How to Train Your Dragon but more adult and even better. --- // Other Information // Publisher: HarperTeen Page Count: 421 pages Release Date: October 3, 2017 Series: Iskari #1 Genre: Fiction, Young adult, Adult, Fantasy, High fantasy, Dragons, Adventure, Magic, Enemies to lovers --- // Book Description (via Goodreads) // In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer. These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl. Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her. --- // Characters // Everything about Ciccarelli’s characters are perfection. I loved loved loved the main character, Asha’s, badassery and her attitude of taking no shits. And Torwin? A totally adorable and perfect fictional crush. I think we should just admire Asha and Torwin’s enemies to lovers arc. Literally, can you ask for anything better??? I should also mention the dragons, who for some reason, appeared in my mind like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. I immediately loved the introduction of dragons into the story, they’re not only super important in the world of the Iskari series, but they’re also essentially dogs. Big, fiery, dangerous dogs. But adorable nonetheless. I’d probably name mine something jazzy. Maybe Nerezza or Persephone. Someone get me a dragon so I can name it. --- // Writing and Setting // Ciccarelli’s writing style is straight up art. I mean that literally. Reading The Last Namsara was an experience that I won’t ever forget. The story takes place in the anti-dragon kingdom of Firgaard in which Asha is rejected by those around her for a mistake she made as a young child in telling stories to dragons. The mythology and background is heavily focused on in this novel, which can be off-putting at first but sets the rest of the series up for a mythical adventure. The world-building in the novel is realistic and heavy, perfect for high fantasy lovers. --- // Plot // The adventure that Asha embarks upon to prevent her marriage to king of the assholes is not only filled with pain, struggle, and courage but also love. The twists and turns in this novel are a promising start to the series. By the end of the novel, I was staring at my wall trying to comprehend how I became so easily sucked into the world of betrayal, magic, and adventure that I had read about. --- // Overall // I’m so excited to read the next two novels in the Iskari trilogy. The Last Namsara is a solid start to a high fantasy series that will leave readers intrigued but also satisfied, I’m sure. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jul 31, 2021
|
Aug 08, 2021
|
May 18, 2020
|
Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
B007NKMQGQ
| 3.92
| 1,064,987
| Jun 05, 2012
| Jun 05, 2012
|
it was amazing
|
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- // Content warnings: classi Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews. Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews. --- // Content warnings: classism, ableist language, fatmisia, slavery (mentioned), kiss without consent, blood and gore depiction, dead bodies and physical injuries, death of a friend and parents (mentioned), murder, attempted murder, kidnapping (hostage situation and blackmail), war themes, violence, graphic animal death // Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading, as I may have missed some in my review. --- // Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars --- // Quick Review // Shadow and Bone has been popular for quite some time, but it wasn’t until recently that I bought the trilogy and Six of Crows duology. Now, I am finally reading the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and next, I will read Six of Crows, hopefully. I guess you could say I am gearing up to watch the Netflix series. As always, I am late to the game. But my hesitation to read popular series had no effect on the fact that I loved this novel. --- // Other Information // Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Page Count: 369 pages Release Date: June 5, 2012 Series: Shadow and Bone #1 Tag: Fiction, Young adult, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adventure, Magic, Enemies to lovers, High fantasy, Friends to lovers --- // Review // I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about Shadow and Bone. For those who are like me and hesitate to read popular series for fear of being let down, fear not… for the first novel in this series is phenomenal. I’ll be reviewing the rest of the trilogy soon and doing an episode on my podcast on the entire Shadow and Bone trilogy within the week. Shadow and Bone is hands-down one of the best fantasy novels that I have read in a long time, if not ever. It has quite literally everything I love about books: magic, good antagonists, amazing characters, complex world-building, romance, action, adventure, mystery, twists and turns. I cannot get enough of this book, its world, and its characters. I am utterly obsessed. I get the hype now; it is truly deserving of it. I don’t think I have been as obsessed with a book series since The Hunger Games. Shadow and Bone follows the upheaval of Alina Starkov’s life as she discovers she has magical powers. She is thrust into a life completely unlike that she is used to. Separated from her best friend since childhood, Mal, she feels hopeless as she tries to navigate her new life and the powers she just became acquainted with. Ever present in the background is the Darkling, one of the most powerful Grisha (the magic users of the series). All of the characters have depth and distinct personalities, making them worth reading and caring about. This level of depth assisted in making the love interests actually interesting. The love triangle was set up beautifully. I could envision Alina with both Mal and the Darkling. And while I will not spoil anything, I can say that I completely get Alina’s mistakes in choosing who to be with at first… I am not stronger than the Sun Summoner, okay? Leigh Bardugo has a way of writing that makes the words leap off the page and become true before you. The world-building itself was fantastic, rich, and lively. But Bardugo’s talent for description perfectly accentuated the unique and interesting world she created. Shadow and Bone features Ravka, a country torn by war and separated by the Shadow Fold, a place of darkness almost impossible to survive. Not only was the setting and world-building perfection, but the magic system was too. Instead of being forced to just accept the way that magic works in the novel, Bardugo allows the reader to become acquainted with the unique magic that Grisha can possess. I have to mention that I loved the character development that Alina undergoes throughout the book. I was happy to see that instead of immediately being able to control and use her powers, Alina struggled with everything for a good portion of the novel before being able to truly step into her role as a Grisha. It was refreshing to see something realistic, especially since one must suspend reality to read any fantasy book, let alone one as rich as this. The story maintained a perfect pace for every part of the book. By not focusing too much on slow-moving details and focusing on important parts of the plot, Bardugo created a masterpiece. I was captivated by the progression of Shadow and Bone and its twists and turns. I’m usually pretty good at guessing the outcome of novels/movies—a gift I inherited from my mom, who is always spoiling things for everyone without having even watched/read anything—but I was absolutely in the dark for this book and was shocked by the major reveals. Nothing is as it seems, which I appreciated. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Shadow and Bone and cannot wait to explore the rest of the Grishaverse. I highly recommend that you read the series, even if you are a scaredy-cat like I am. --- FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jul 27, 2022
|
Jul 29, 2022
|
May 18, 2020
|
Kindle Edition
|
16 of 16 loaded