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natashaniezgoda's reviews
1404 reviews
The Reaping by Jess Lourey
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This gets an extra 1/2 star best of the epilogue! HOLE LEE SHEET.
Okay, so pros and cons:
Pros: I love a good small-town lore / cult crime. I loved learning more about Reed and Steinbeck. I loved how atmospheric this was. I loved the sanatorium angle.
Cons: We had WAY too many characters. Mike and Yikes! The fret over the sanatorium turned prison wasn't gruesome or disturbing enough to warrant it to be the center of this plot. The flashbacks to Steinbeck's past were not meaningful enough to keep repeating and please... we knew what "two different lies" stood for the first time it appeared.
So 3 stars for the whole book. + 0.5 for the epilogue.
Okay, so pros and cons:
Pros: I love a good small-town lore / cult crime. I loved learning more about Reed and Steinbeck. I loved how atmospheric this was. I loved the sanatorium angle.
Cons: We had WAY too many characters. Mike and Yikes! The fret over the sanatorium turned prison wasn't gruesome or disturbing enough to warrant it to be the center of this plot. The flashbacks to Steinbeck's past were not meaningful enough to keep repeating and please... we knew what "two different lies" stood for the first time it appeared.
So 3 stars for the whole book. + 0.5 for the epilogue.
The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What to say, what to say...
I love a good spin on a "retelling". The smut was smutting. The plot was lacking. The pace was pacing. The braincells needed were minimal.
It was a fast spicy read with a surface-level plot. I honestly WISH it was better, because it could be cool. Like I would love to see the more vengeful side of Tinkerbell vs. Peter Pan.
I love a good spin on a "retelling". The smut was smutting. The plot was lacking. The pace was pacing. The braincells needed were minimal.
It was a fast spicy read with a surface-level plot. I honestly WISH it was better, because it could be cool. Like I would love to see the more vengeful side of Tinkerbell vs. Peter Pan.
What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was super engaging! Okay lemme break it down for you:
Plot: provoking - I learned a lot about systems of oppression related to real estate and generational wealth.
Characters: not too many! I dislike large cast books. This had about 15-20 total characters, Deena being the main. I loved all the elderly folks - so feisty, sassy, and wise! Also, Easter can be my lawyer any day!
Magical realism: yep, you heard me right! If you like ancestors as guiding spirits - READ THIS BOOK. It was cool!
Ending: wish it was longer. I wanted the “stick it to the man” moment to have a little more punch. For all the shit Deena had to go through, the end was a little fast.
Plot: provoking - I learned a lot about systems of oppression related to real estate and generational wealth.
Characters: not too many! I dislike large cast books. This had about 15-20 total characters, Deena being the main. I loved all the elderly folks - so feisty, sassy, and wise! Also, Easter can be my lawyer any day!
Magical realism: yep, you heard me right! If you like ancestors as guiding spirits - READ THIS BOOK. It was cool!
Ending: wish it was longer. I wanted the “stick it to the man” moment to have a little more punch. For all the shit Deena had to go through, the end was a little fast.
Where Butterflies Wander by Suzanne Redfearn, Suzanne Redfearn
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I know why people love this book... because of Divina. She gets five stars for sure. Hannah and Penelope were great too!
But there were 3 characters that irked my bones - Marie (the mom), Brendon (the son), and Leo (the dad).
- Marie: as a former CFO, you would think she'd have a little more pragmatism - but nay. She jumped to every single conclusion and was so annoying about it.
- Brendon: like I get you have a shit ton of trauma but your selfishness was yucky.
- Leo: you were a damp, soggy, wet noodle. Sure, you had moments of heroism, but mostly, you just existed.
And for a book about coping - they really didn't talk much about their late daughter and their feelings.
But there were 3 characters that irked my bones - Marie (the mom), Brendon (the son), and Leo (the dad).
- Marie: as a former CFO, you would think she'd have a little more pragmatism - but nay. She jumped to every single conclusion and was so annoying about it.
- Brendon: like I get you have a shit ton of trauma but your selfishness was yucky.
- Leo: you were a damp, soggy, wet noodle. Sure, you had moments of heroism, but mostly, you just existed.
And for a book about coping - they really didn't talk much about their late daughter and their feelings.
The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Jesus mary joseph, these people need therapy. Holy unhinged hell. Everyone in their orbit was plagued.
YIKES.
Also, it was just okay.
BYEEEEEeeeeeee.
YIKES.
Also, it was just okay.
BYEEEEEeeeeeee.
Echo by Tracy Clark
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ya'll these grudges run DEEEEEP! Damn... but also, like, I'm here for the drama.
This was a more "dramatic-suspense" crime novel than thriller. There were a lot of deep-seeded traumas and resentments. Imma say, some of the characters could have used Better Me instead of knives, but alas, the choices were choicing.
I'm a ride or die fan of Harri Foster and Vera Li. Can't wait for the next installment!
This was a more "dramatic-suspense" crime novel than thriller. There were a lot of deep-seeded traumas and resentments. Imma say, some of the characters could have used Better Me instead of knives, but alas, the choices were choicing.
I'm a ride or die fan of Harri Foster and Vera Li. Can't wait for the next installment!
The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
SMH. Such a stretch. The drug science psychedelics just didn’t land with me. And the romance was way too instalove for their gruesome meet cute.
The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Hello atmospheric vibessss. Okay, if you like Rosemary's Baby and can put up with that level of gaslighting then you will devour this. It's fun. It's fast. It will make you wanna scream at EVERY character because they all suck at some point.
The end was kinda a throwaway IMO, but the ride was entertaining.
Highly recommend the audiobook. It was narrated very well.
The end was kinda a throwaway IMO, but the ride was entertaining.
Highly recommend the audiobook. It was narrated very well.
Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Damn damn damn! This was such a brilliant small town procedural! And the end… 😯
Apparently I liked this book I read 15 days ago and yet can't remember ANYTHING about it to actually right a meaningful review. Take that for what it is... I'm still leaving my 4 star review.
Apparently I liked this book I read 15 days ago and yet can't remember ANYTHING about it to actually right a meaningful review. Take that for what it is... I'm still leaving my 4 star review.
If Only In Our Dreams by Fae Quin
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Well shit, that was cute. Who knew I'd like goth toddlers?!
But more importantly, I ADORE Ben and Robin. I love that this wasn't a huge dramatic or theatric romance. It was sweet and cuddly and sensitive. It addressed insecurities and anxiety and the negative side-effects of fame.
Emo fOrEvEr!
But more importantly, I ADORE Ben and Robin. I love that this wasn't a huge dramatic or theatric romance. It was sweet and cuddly and sensitive. It addressed insecurities and anxiety and the negative side-effects of fame.
Emo fOrEvEr!