natreviews's reviews
413 reviews

Bear by Marian Engel

Go to review page

challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

An interesting read, but one I don't think I'll read again. If you found the bear scene in Baldur's Gate 3 to be too much, skip on this book. 
Among Gods and Monsters by S.D. Simper

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A good follow up. Continues the story nicely, but doesn't have the exact same pull as the first. 
Chrysalis by Anuja Varghese

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A very good collection of short stories. 
The Sting of Victory by S.D. Simper

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.0

A really good read. Was a lot more gruesome then I thought it would be. 
Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton

Go to review page

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

So the plot is pretty bland, the characters are pretty black and white, and the writing isn't great (tons of continuity errors). At the same time, I couldn't put the book down, so it does have something going for it. 
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 78%.
adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? No

5.0

This is probably the best book I've read all year. I was looking for a good fantasy read before playing Baldur's Gate 3, and this book nailed it. I knew nothing going in, and to be honest, you shouldn't either. This is probably my new comfort read. Although there is a prequel coming out soon, I do hope there is a sequel to this story as I would love to see more of these characters and who they are after the final pages. 
Alien - Alien 3: The Lost Screenplay by William Gibson by Pat Cadigan, William Gibson

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.5

So, first and foremost, don't go into this thinking it will read like a Gibson novel. It won't. His flavour is still there, how characters talk and act are very similar to his books, but the description and writing isn't. I think Gibson's name got mainly attached to sell the book. He wrote the screenplay, which Pat Cadigan adapted into this novel. This is all her writing, not Gibson's. Once I got that sorted in my head this book was a fun ride and excellent read. 
Psycho by Robert Bloch

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Your classic horror novel. I'm glad I read it, but probably won't read it again. 
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A good rainy day read. It was about halfway through the book when a character revealed some information that I knew how it ended, but still a good read. Not hard, but good for if you need a light read with some mystery in it. Note: there is still really tough subject matter, when I mean light read I mean the writing.
Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was just really sad. Really well written, but really sad.