Scan barcode
lyonsdenprojects's reviews
118 reviews
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
The author is not very good at "show, don't tell". I'm several chapters in and it's all just telling me about what happened a month ago still, I'm not learning as much about the actual protagonists. There's also this jumping back and forth is time mechanic which may have worked well for her last book but seems superfluous here. It's just very boring which is a shame because the era of spiritualism its set in is so very interesting.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
This book is perfect for fans of The Haunting of Hill House and Bly Manor.
Starling House is such a delight to read and has a very unique storytelling style. At first I was not sure if I was going to enjoy it but it soon sucked me with it's themes of stories within stories, and the idea that all stories hold truth for different people, but it may not always be the whole truth. But what is 'truth' in the eye of the beholder? The characters are delightful and lovable in their curmudgeon-ness. And I am especially appreciative of the way the author crafted some diversity in her cast in respectful ways. She does not tell stories that are not necessarily her own, but shows the existence of different people within her worldbuilding in a wonderfully relatable way.
Highly recommend!
Starling House is such a delight to read and has a very unique storytelling style. At first I was not sure if I was going to enjoy it but it soon sucked me with it's themes of stories within stories, and the idea that all stories hold truth for different people, but it may not always be the whole truth. But what is 'truth' in the eye of the beholder? The characters are delightful and lovable in their curmudgeon-ness. And I am especially appreciative of the way the author crafted some diversity in her cast in respectful ways. She does not tell stories that are not necessarily her own, but shows the existence of different people within her worldbuilding in a wonderfully relatable way.
Highly recommend!
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read this book. Don't think, just READ IT! It's so delightful. Black Swan meets Phantom of the Opera, if you were ever a band/choir/theatre/dance kid there is so much in this book about the competition of the performing arts that you will feel deep in your soul. Especially if you were ever passed over for a part you wanted.
The emotions are guttural and the main character and antagonist are relatable and that's what makes the best horror stories. A single choice can send us over the edge to be someone else's monster and it comes down to how badly we may want something. I enjoyed this book from first page to last and look forward to it's sequel!
The emotions are guttural and the main character and antagonist are relatable and that's what makes the best horror stories. A single choice can send us over the edge to be someone else's monster and it comes down to how badly we may want something. I enjoyed this book from first page to last and look forward to it's sequel!
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is absolutely magnificent, I was hooked from the first page and drawn in until the very last! I love the tone, the pace, the worldbuilding! The worldbuilding is so rich and enthralling! And I adore every character in the book. They are all so unique and full bodied. I love most, I think, Fatma and Siti's relationship. It's realistic and respectful and such a beautiful piece of the overall narrative. I can't wait for book 2!
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
dark
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
I loved this book from the very first page to the last. It may be my favorite book of this year and I cannot wait for the sequel. The female and male leads break so many stereotypes and are solid in their choices once they make them which I loved.
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is like a richer, more magical telling of Memoirs of a Geisha, where the protagonist has far more control of herself and her destiny. I love Rin's writing from The Girl in the Well and this book was as wonderful as I expected. It started slow and but once the world was built enough, it grabbed me with lovable characters and a compelling tale. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Grief
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such gorgeously written prose and amazingly lovable characters! I didn't quite know what I was in for when I picked this book up but I loved every word of it. I love its deep roots in Welsh lore. And it's resolution is just so heart warming. An absolute delight!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Death of parent
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn't put this book down. Each time I'd tell myself "one more chapter" and then find myself reading three more. This book feels so delightfully like modern Shirley Jackson, but more in depth as it is written in first person. I love unreliable narrator stories but this takes the concept one step further. A wonderful atmospheric read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism and Animal death