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dannilmp's reviews
70 reviews
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I loved this book as a continuation from The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It feels like a slice of life type of read. Very cosy, relaxing and goes perfectly with a cup of tea and a few biscuits. I feel like I am learning so much about Africa and Botswanna that I never would have learnt otherwise, and unlike other forms of learning, I am able to retain some of these new facts in my brain.
Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A cozy little adventure mystery read, this book is just as much as a delight as the first two in the series. I like that the mysteries are more on the lighthearted side, while this one involved a case of suspected poisioning, it doesn't feel as dark or gloomy as a lot of the other mysteries I have read over the years. Maybe this is partially due to the way that Mma Ramotswe deals with her cases and clients.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What can I say other than what an amazing story this book holds. Certainly one of my favourite reads this year! We follow Deka through her journey as she learns she is one of the demons with gold blood and her journey across the contintent to become a pawn in the Emperor's army against the Deathshrieks.
From start to end I adored this book, but what I loved the most was the way the characters grew over the story. Their own personal development but also watching the bonds between characters grow. It was beautifully written and enjoyable to read through. The twists and turns I never expected, I didn't even get close with any of the potential theories I had come up with. The ending was excellent and had me on tenterhooks waiting for the release of The Merciless ones.
From start to end I adored this book, but what I loved the most was the way the characters grew over the story. Their own personal development but also watching the bonds between characters grow. It was beautifully written and enjoyable to read through. The twists and turns I never expected, I didn't even get close with any of the potential theories I had come up with. The ending was excellent and had me on tenterhooks waiting for the release of The Merciless ones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent and War
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
2.5
The Color Purple is a deeply moving story, mainly following Celie on her journey through adulthood and life. The emotional rollacoaster this woman goes through certainly made me feel for her. And seeing her overcome hate and make room for those negative emotions in life defintely taught me something today!
I was worried when I started this book that I wouldn't be able to read it easily with the writing style used but actually I found myself flying both through the pages and through Celie's story! I felt this novel was an absolute eye opener into something I thought I had a little understanding about but it turns out I really had no understanding at all!
While I can't say I found anything particulary negative about this book, I did struggle to read it with the letter style chapters. I felt like I was missing big gaps in the story, I know this may have been Walker's intention but it just doesn't vibe with me. Other than that, this story was wonderful but the heavy content and the way it made me feel emotionally means it wasn't one of my higher rated reads this year. Mainly because I prefer to read stories that don't shatter my heart and soul.
I was worried when I started this book that I wouldn't be able to read it easily with the writing style used but actually I found myself flying both through the pages and through Celie's story! I felt this novel was an absolute eye opener into something I thought I had a little understanding about but it turns out I really had no understanding at all!
While I can't say I found anything particulary negative about this book, I did struggle to read it with the letter style chapters. I felt like I was missing big gaps in the story, I know this may have been Walker's intention but it just doesn't vibe with me. Other than that, this story was wonderful but the heavy content and the way it made me feel emotionally means it wasn't one of my higher rated reads this year. Mainly because I prefer to read stories that don't shatter my heart and soul.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Incest and Rape
Minor: Child abuse and Drug use
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Here the important part of the story finally seems to kick off and we get our Game of Thrones. Very aptly named is Clash of Kings considering once the old king dies everyone seems to jump up and claim the throne for their own.
I really enjoyed seeing the story progress from the P.O.Vs of different characters, with some being in entirely different continents of the map. I felt the use of the comet and how everyone seems to interpret the comet with different ideas to give them the advantage in the upcoming war.
However, in typical GRRM fashion, this book contains much gore, sexual assult, rape and everything else bad in the world. While I understand every book has its bad scenes, once again A Clash of Kings just seems to go overboard with all of it.
I really enjoyed seeing the story progress from the P.O.Vs of different characters, with some being in entirely different continents of the map. I felt the use of the comet and how everyone seems to interpret the comet with different ideas to give them the advantage in the upcoming war.
However, in typical GRRM fashion, this book contains much gore, sexual assult, rape and everything else bad in the world. While I understand every book has its bad scenes, once again A Clash of Kings just seems to go overboard with all of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Misogyny and Fire/Fire injury
The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This series is such a comfort one and so far not a single book has disappointed. I really enjoyed this one, espeically seeing how Mma Ramwotse deals with her competetion. I love how Mma Makusi is coming into her own and her job role now, but seeing some of the things she goes through in this book did make my heartstrings hurt.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? It's complicated
2.5
I picked this book up hoping to learn something more about a culture's history and I wasn't dissapointed. Here we follow young Sayori through the trials of her life that lead to her becoming a Geisha. A heartfelt story with plenty of heartaching moments to follow.
Golden really did his research to be able to write such a detailed piece of historical fiction. I felt as though I learnt so much more about Geishas and Japan's history while also coming to understand more what the Geishas roles and functions in society were.
I don't typically read historical fiction so this was a venture outside of my usual comfort zone, and while it was written very well (bar young Sayori's obsession with a certain character feeling icky) it is not something I would rush to read in a hurry again. But parts of the story have still stuck with me months later, so I have to give the book credit.
Golden really did his research to be able to write such a detailed piece of historical fiction. I felt as though I learnt so much more about Geishas and Japan's history while also coming to understand more what the Geishas roles and functions in society were.
I don't typically read historical fiction so this was a venture outside of my usual comfort zone, and while it was written very well (bar young Sayori's obsession with a certain character feeling icky) it is not something I would rush to read in a hurry again. But parts of the story have still stuck with me months later, so I have to give the book credit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity and Abortion
Leech by Hiron Ennes
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
For a debut novel by Ennes, I was very impressed at the writing! How can one author make me feel so much compassion for a parasite compared to the human race? This book gave me The Haunting on Hill House vibes at time. Isolated from the rest of the world in a chateux, our doctor has to figure out what is trying to compete against his kind completely on his own. Can he figure it out in time while the chateux crumbles around him?
The setting of this novel really added to the atmosphere, while this book does have its many many scences involving blood and gore, it is the ambience that really shines through. The characters seem to grow and devlop as we learn some of their more darker secrets of their pasts. Again I am blown away that here I was feeling so much sympathy and even rooting for the parasites of Inultus over the humans at one point!
However, I feel the ending wasn't quite as upto par with the rest of the story and the ending left me feeling quite unsatisfied. I don't think the last question in the blurb is answered and given the information we get throughout the story, it's not quite simple to come up with your own conclusions as they really are just wild speculation.
The setting of this novel really added to the atmosphere, while this book does have its many many scences involving blood and gore, it is the ambience that really shines through. The characters seem to grow and devlop as we learn some of their more darker secrets of their pasts. Again I am blown away that here I was feeling so much sympathy and even rooting for the parasites of Inultus over the humans at one point!
However, I feel the ending wasn't quite as upto par with the rest of the story and the ending left me feeling quite unsatisfied. I don't think the last question in the blurb is answered and given the information we get throughout the story, it's not quite simple to come up with your own conclusions as they really are just wild speculation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
The Full Cupboard Of Life by Alexander McCall Smith
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I love the cozy feel of picking up a book in this series. It's like checking in with an old friend. While I cannot personally relate to Mma Ramotswe, I can appreciate her view and opinions on life and the things around her. The way you just seem to fly through the pages but feel like you are living her day-to-day life with her is wonderful. I find myself pondering some of the opinions that Mma Ramotswe and those around her have. The only downside of the series, rather than an issue of this specific book is that I find myself struggling to seperate the events of each book as nothing major seems to stand out in my memory the more books in the series I read.
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
A beautiful continuation to The Gilded Ones, with plenty of twists and turns to keep your brain jogging to keep up! I put off reading this book for a little while as I was concerned it wouldn't be able to live upto the engagement and quality of the first book, but this was on par with the first book all the way!
I loved how the story took things you thought you knew from the events of The Gilded Ones and turned them on their head once more. Truly I have no idea what to expect the final book will tell but I am certainly looking forward to it! I loved watching these girls and some of the lads grow into their own and becoming these fully fleshed characters while exploring some back stories and flaws.
The only downside is, like the first book, I felt the pacing was medium except when I hit the last quarter or so of the book. The pace seemed to quite rapidly pick up here, it was still written very well, I just would have prefered more time spent with their characters and the stories they have to tell.
I loved how the story took things you thought you knew from the events of The Gilded Ones and turned them on their head once more. Truly I have no idea what to expect the final book will tell but I am certainly looking forward to it! I loved watching these girls and some of the lads grow into their own and becoming these fully fleshed characters while exploring some back stories and flaws.
The only downside is, like the first book, I felt the pacing was medium except when I hit the last quarter or so of the book. The pace seemed to quite rapidly pick up here, it was still written very well, I just would have prefered more time spent with their characters and the stories they have to tell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Pregnancy