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bookoholic's reviews
806 reviews
Willow Moss and the Magic Thief by Dominique Valente
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
What I Hid From You by Heleen Kist
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What I Hid From You is another psychological thriller from a brilliant author Heleen Kist. I truly enjoyed her previous books and I knew that the new one will be perfect for me!
It's quite dark and challenging. The story shows that even a respectful doctor could cross the boundaries under stress... and how catastrophic the consequences can be! It might take one mistake to change your life forever.
Radha is a dentist, together with her husband she runs a clinic inherited from her father. When one of her patients dies during the standard procedure, the investigation starts and Radha needs help to calm her nerves. When the official medication supply stops, and she can't prescribe herself any more, she gets desperate... and that pushes her directly to the drug dealers clutches.
She'd do anything to protect her family, and she's not the first one to do so.
Old family secrets come out, heartbreaking blackmail from the past and it must have a body or two as a consequence.
I loved the diversity and I know that Heleen put effort into having the book checked for the sensitivity of the different culture which I think every author writing about a people of culture different than their own should do. It makes me appreciate even more, because it's important to make sure people feel included and respected.
I need to mention that I absolutely love the book cover!
Heleen is one of the authors who are my autobuy, I don't even need to check what the book is about. It'll be brilliant either way.
It's quite dark and challenging. The story shows that even a respectful doctor could cross the boundaries under stress... and how catastrophic the consequences can be! It might take one mistake to change your life forever.
Radha is a dentist, together with her husband she runs a clinic inherited from her father. When one of her patients dies during the standard procedure, the investigation starts and Radha needs help to calm her nerves. When the official medication supply stops, and she can't prescribe herself any more, she gets desperate... and that pushes her directly to the drug dealers clutches.
She'd do anything to protect her family, and she's not the first one to do so.
Old family secrets come out, heartbreaking blackmail from the past and it must have a body or two as a consequence.
I loved the diversity and I know that Heleen put effort into having the book checked for the sensitivity of the different culture which I think every author writing about a people of culture different than their own should do. It makes me appreciate even more, because it's important to make sure people feel included and respected.
I need to mention that I absolutely love the book cover!
Heleen is one of the authors who are my autobuy, I don't even need to check what the book is about. It'll be brilliant either way.
The Sanctuary by Andrew Hunter Murray
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
I loved "The Last Day", so when I saw "The Sanctuary", I had to read it!
The author takes us again to a dystopian place, an isolated island run by a billionaire, who supposedly created a paradise.
Indeed he restored the population of birds that were extinct and the forest on the island is blooming... but for what cost? And what else is in the head of this man?
Ben, who's a painter works in the city. People are killing the environment, so living on the mainland is not easy, but he's earning his money painting rich people in the Villages. The love of his life, Cara, works on the island and she supposed to come back home... until she doesn't.
With Ben's desperation we're taken to the island, to the mystery and magic, to crazy science and impossible ideas. The vibes of the book are similar to the first one and it's just fantastic.
I haven't read much dystopia since the pandemic started, but I had to make an exception for Andrew, who creates the world which you want to be part of, and you hate at the same time.
The author takes us again to a dystopian place, an isolated island run by a billionaire, who supposedly created a paradise.
Indeed he restored the population of birds that were extinct and the forest on the island is blooming... but for what cost? And what else is in the head of this man?
Ben, who's a painter works in the city. People are killing the environment, so living on the mainland is not easy, but he's earning his money painting rich people in the Villages. The love of his life, Cara, works on the island and she supposed to come back home... until she doesn't.
With Ben's desperation we're taken to the island, to the mystery and magic, to crazy science and impossible ideas. The vibes of the book are similar to the first one and it's just fantastic.
I haven't read much dystopia since the pandemic started, but I had to make an exception for Andrew, who creates the world which you want to be part of, and you hate at the same time.
The Botanist by M.W. Craven
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
How do you review a masterpiece?
Ok, I'm going to try to list all of the things I loved about the book without spoilers. Bear with me. It's not an easy job!
There's one crime sub-genre that I love to read the most, it's a locked room mystery. The unexplained and impossible at first, with a clever and simple resolution. Mike put TWO locked room mysteries in one book. It's the best combo I could have hoped for!
I'm totally #TeamTilly but the other character that I find fascinating, hilarious and incredibly smart is Estelle Doyle. Seeing her and Poe interacting, being into each other and pretending they're not is super cute. I've been waiting for several books for them to get together... but then Estelle is arrested for murder!!! On suspicion of killing her own father! Poe like a knight in shining armour will do everything to help her.
Tilly, my lovely dear girl made me giggle, snort and laugh out loud. If you're like her in real life, let's be friends! I'd love to have a Tilly in my life. I don't think I'll ever get bored of her. One of the best writing creations.
And the killer! It was one of the very few times I was actually hoping the murders will be successful. I know I shouldn't be rooting for the bad guy, but when you read what kind of people he kills... you'll understand! Obviously, he committed even worse crimes to get to the point of being completely successful, and that was a pure evil. 100% against it.
The way how the murders were committed was truly smart. I don't even want to think was is the author's browsing history. I wonder if the certain searches might have triggered some alarms ;)
On a serious note, I appreciated how the topic of alcoholism was treated. It shows the problem and the illness, and how the determination and the good medication and treatment can help people.
Oh, and I'm in it. But as you can see there are many other things that made it the best book I've read this year, and one of the best I've ever read in my life.
Ok, I'm going to try to list all of the things I loved about the book without spoilers. Bear with me. It's not an easy job!
There's one crime sub-genre that I love to read the most, it's a locked room mystery. The unexplained and impossible at first, with a clever and simple resolution. Mike put TWO locked room mysteries in one book. It's the best combo I could have hoped for!
I'm totally #TeamTilly but the other character that I find fascinating, hilarious and incredibly smart is Estelle Doyle. Seeing her and Poe interacting, being into each other and pretending they're not is super cute. I've been waiting for several books for them to get together... but then Estelle is arrested for murder!!! On suspicion of killing her own father! Poe like a knight in shining armour will do everything to help her.
Tilly, my lovely dear girl made me giggle, snort and laugh out loud. If you're like her in real life, let's be friends! I'd love to have a Tilly in my life. I don't think I'll ever get bored of her. One of the best writing creations.
And the killer! It was one of the very few times I was actually hoping the murders will be successful. I know I shouldn't be rooting for the bad guy, but when you read what kind of people he kills... you'll understand! Obviously, he committed even worse crimes to get to the point of being completely successful, and that was a pure evil. 100% against it.
The way how the murders were committed was truly smart. I don't even want to think was is the author's browsing history. I wonder if the certain searches might have triggered some alarms ;)
On a serious note, I appreciated how the topic of alcoholism was treated. It shows the problem and the illness, and how the determination and the good medication and treatment can help people.
Oh, and I'm in it. But as you can see there are many other things that made it the best book I've read this year, and one of the best I've ever read in my life.
The Maker-Man of Merryville by Pete Mesling
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
The Maker-Man of Meryville is a children's fantasy book which takes us to a different place through the magical portal.
I enjoyed the world and its creatures that were built. I found them unique and loveable. The story itself is interesting, especially how all the elements come together, and the adventure the kids are facing to defeat the evil queen. As a consequence they can save their own miserable city and make the people merry again!
It's a pleasant read, I'd definitely recommend it!
I enjoyed the world and its creatures that were built. I found them unique and loveable. The story itself is interesting, especially how all the elements come together, and the adventure the kids are facing to defeat the evil queen. As a consequence they can save their own miserable city and make the people merry again!
It's a pleasant read, I'd definitely recommend it!