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sophs_mood_reading's reviews
396 reviews
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Well I have finally dipped my toe into the pool of books that is “murder mystery”. The Guest list is set at a wedding on a isolated island off the coast of Western Ireland. Where someone on the evening of the wedding has been murdered and the suspects are those listed on the table chart.
This book is a multiple point of view novel that plays out like a game of cluedo With each chapter we learn more dirty little secrets about each of the characters and start to put together who they don’t like and any motives they may have. There is even a few moments of “oh that could be the murder weapon and oh they are in that room!”
Between these soul baring memoirs we have a spattering of current events as we slowly discover, something has happened, that what has happened is a murder, who is murdered and ultimately who did it.
I did guess a lot of the connections between the characters and some of the twists and the victim but I was surprised when the killer was revealed as it seemed to be the one link I didn’t put together.
It’s not a literary masterpiece and some of the connections do get a bit ridiculously coincidental but I did enjoy the ride.
I had a great time reading this as part of the #shamybuddyread and will likely dabble in the genre again.
This book is a multiple point of view novel that plays out like a game of cluedo With each chapter we learn more dirty little secrets about each of the characters and start to put together who they don’t like and any motives they may have. There is even a few moments of “oh that could be the murder weapon and oh they are in that room!”
Between these soul baring memoirs we have a spattering of current events as we slowly discover, something has happened, that what has happened is a murder, who is murdered and ultimately who did it.
I did guess a lot of the connections between the characters and some of the twists and the victim but I was surprised when the killer was revealed as it seemed to be the one link I didn’t put together.
It’s not a literary masterpiece and some of the connections do get a bit ridiculously coincidental but I did enjoy the ride.
I had a great time reading this as part of the #shamybuddyread and will likely dabble in the genre again.
The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
What an absolutely wonderful wrap up of a series.
The Blood Traitor is the perfect final book. We get answers but also new drama so not repetitive or boring. We have new twist which again I didn’t pick at all. There is witty banter and heartbreak and love and well I fricken loved it.
The Blood Traitor is the perfect final book. We get answers but also new drama so not repetitive or boring. We have new twist which again I didn’t pick at all. There is witty banter and heartbreak and love and well I fricken loved it.
The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
5.0
Omg Omg Omg!! Seriously this series keeps getting better and better.
Without spoilers all I can say is we open with Kiva being hosted by the royal family and the rebels using her still to fight their cause. Yep I can’t really say anything else but if you thought the first book had surprises and twists well this one is even more shocking!
I loved the introduction of some new characters including Jaren’s hilarious cousin and Kiva’s brother Tor.
This one has an even bigger OMG NEED TO READ THE NEXT BOOK ending so be warned, and well I’m off to the library tomorrow!
Without spoilers all I can say is we open with Kiva being hosted by the royal family and the rebels using her still to fight their cause. Yep I can’t really say anything else but if you thought the first book had surprises and twists well this one is even more shocking!
I loved the introduction of some new characters including Jaren’s hilarious cousin and Kiva’s brother Tor.
This one has an even bigger OMG NEED TO READ THE NEXT BOOK ending so be warned, and well I’m off to the library tomorrow!
The Maiden by Kate Foster
sad
tense
slow-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
1679, Edinburgh Scotland, a Laird is murdered and his mistress the Lady Christian has been sentenced to death as a result, but will she escape, be pardoned or suffer the blade of The Maiden.
We have here a fictional reimagining of a true crime, where the voices of the novel are that of women and not the men who wrote the history books.
This novel had so much potential, duel view points of two women at the centre of the crime, 17th century Edinburgh in all its filth and poverty, class system opposition. However with all this opportunity the book just fell short.
I found it difficult to really connect with our two female main characters, finding them both irritating and well bad story tellers. This is a novel surrounding extramarital affairs (closed door) but it was bland and not exciting.
The last couple of chapters finally give us the “what happened” (well this authors decision) but there was no real suspense or emotion, it was all a bit beige.
Look I have to be fair it was great to see a retelling of a historical crime in the female POV but it just didn’t get over the line for me.
We have here a fictional reimagining of a true crime, where the voices of the novel are that of women and not the men who wrote the history books.
This novel had so much potential, duel view points of two women at the centre of the crime, 17th century Edinburgh in all its filth and poverty, class system opposition. However with all this opportunity the book just fell short.
I found it difficult to really connect with our two female main characters, finding them both irritating and well bad story tellers. This is a novel surrounding extramarital affairs (closed door) but it was bland and not exciting.
The last couple of chapters finally give us the “what happened” (well this authors decision) but there was no real suspense or emotion, it was all a bit beige.
Look I have to be fair it was great to see a retelling of a historical crime in the female POV but it just didn’t get over the line for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism
A Million Junes by Emily Henry
Did not finish book. Stopped at 67%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 67%.
Started getting annoyed at Jack decisions and the language used by supposed 17 year olds.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“A girl who writes letters to her missing brother, and the boy who reads them.”
Thus we have the first thoughts of this beautiful novel. The tale is set in a world where two gods who were previously defeated by mortals are awake and at war with each other.
At the beginning this is a distant war not changing the day to day life of the city of Oath. Iris (our leading lady) is fighting her good looking but arrogant rival Kitt for a position at the local paper, caring for her alcoholic mother and worrying about the whereabouts of her solider brother.
When her secret letters to her brother disappear and then suddenly are magically answered by another man everything begins to change.
I adored this book. The 1940’s type era with some magical occurrences (not your wizard and wands type) that are sprinkled throughout daily life. The use of letter writing adds such a beautiful romantic use of words to create bonds and really adds to the beauty of the book.
It was also important that war was not romanticised in this book. The descriptions of trench warfare and invasions was realistic and brutal and added a fantastic juxtaposition to Iris’s personal life.
This would be a great book for those wanting to have a little dip into fantasy while still similar to a 1940’s war romance. But oh it is so much more than that simple explanation.
Thus we have the first thoughts of this beautiful novel. The tale is set in a world where two gods who were previously defeated by mortals are awake and at war with each other.
At the beginning this is a distant war not changing the day to day life of the city of Oath. Iris (our leading lady) is fighting her good looking but arrogant rival Kitt for a position at the local paper, caring for her alcoholic mother and worrying about the whereabouts of her solider brother.
When her secret letters to her brother disappear and then suddenly are magically answered by another man everything begins to change.
I adored this book. The 1940’s type era with some magical occurrences (not your wizard and wands type) that are sprinkled throughout daily life. The use of letter writing adds such a beautiful romantic use of words to create bonds and really adds to the beauty of the book.
It was also important that war was not romanticised in this book. The descriptions of trench warfare and invasions was realistic and brutal and added a fantastic juxtaposition to Iris’s personal life.
This would be a great book for those wanting to have a little dip into fantasy while still similar to a 1940’s war romance. But oh it is so much more than that simple explanation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and War
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
After the massive hype that has surrounded this book I was nervous to dive in, however after the first few chapters I knew I was in safe hands.
Here we have a classic fantasy heroine who must overcome her weaknesses to survive in a brutal world.
Our heroine is Violet who seems to be suffering from a chronic muscle/ligament weakness (proper details or diagnosis we never get) which is detrimental to someone who must become a lean, mean fighting machine and dragon rider!
The cast of characters at her school for dragon riders is somewhat diverse with the inclusion of LGBT characters, a life long best friend who seems to have changed, a evil fellow student who is hell bent on killing her and then the broody, dark (apparently ridiculously hot) son of the traitor who also happens to be her superior. Oh and dragons!
The pace of the book was great and you were drip fed little hints and doubts on characters and their motives. Some things I guessed where others I didn’t which is always fun way to go through a story.
And like most fantasy series, this is really a book setting up the start of the bigger picture but there was a fantastic teenage high pitch squeal and shake your hands moment on the last page which makes me want to grab the next instalment as soon as it’s out.
Probably my only grip was some of the writing the use of full stops between words to emphasis someone saying a sentence slowly (think Clueless-esque teens saying “Oh. my. god!”) got a bit old and felt a bit teeny-bopper but really it’s the only fault I had with the book.
Here we have a classic fantasy heroine who must overcome her weaknesses to survive in a brutal world.
Our heroine is Violet who seems to be suffering from a chronic muscle/ligament weakness (proper details or diagnosis we never get) which is detrimental to someone who must become a lean, mean fighting machine and dragon rider!
The cast of characters at her school for dragon riders is somewhat diverse with the inclusion of LGBT characters, a life long best friend who seems to have changed, a evil fellow student who is hell bent on killing her and then the broody, dark (apparently ridiculously hot) son of the traitor who also happens to be her superior. Oh and dragons!
The pace of the book was great and you were drip fed little hints and doubts on characters and their motives. Some things I guessed where others I didn’t which is always fun way to go through a story.
And like most fantasy series, this is really a book setting up the start of the bigger picture but there was a fantastic teenage high pitch squeal and shake your hands moment on the last page which makes me want to grab the next instalment as soon as it’s out.
Probably my only grip was some of the writing the use of full stops between words to emphasis someone saying a sentence slowly (think Clueless-esque teens saying “Oh. my. god!”) got a bit old and felt a bit teeny-bopper but really it’s the only fault I had with the book.
Finale by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I adored the end of the Caraval series.
This book jumps straight back into the story from Legendary and is well paced from the start.
Can’t say much as of course it’s all secrets and twists but the use of the Fates and our favourite foursome mixed together is a great dance of deception, discovery and desire.
Funnily I still would love to have some questions answered and hope there is another spin off (I know the OUABH is Jacks).
I loved reading this as a buddy read, as really what is better then discovering a twist and then going to “yell” about it in a chat with all your friends haha.
This book jumps straight back into the story from Legendary and is well paced from the start.
Can’t say much as of course it’s all secrets and twists but the use of the Fates and our favourite foursome mixed together is a great dance of deception, discovery and desire.
Funnily I still would love to have some questions answered and hope there is another spin off (I know the OUABH is Jacks).
I loved reading this as a buddy read, as really what is better then discovering a twist and then going to “yell” about it in a chat with all your friends haha.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul
challenging
emotional
informative
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
A multi generational saga spanning from the segregated south, glitzy old Hollywood and the current celebrity life. Kitty Karr a white Hollywood legend has left her entire estate to three sisters who are young, wealthy in their own right and Black.
As Elise one of the sisters digs through Kitty’s belongings she discovers a story that will change everything.
We get the learn the truth through multiple points of view spanning many generations, locations and women. It’s a book where if you listen carefully you can easily pick up all the little clues and put together what’s what yourself but not in a way that feels to predictable.
There is a lot of discussion surround race and what that meant in America at the time so it is no where near a fluffy historical fiction and really does get you thinking.
The audiobook was good with different voice actors playing the different points of view, however, the voice actor for Elise fell short and it was often difficult to figure out what was dialogue and who was talking.
This would be a great book for bookclubs.
As Elise one of the sisters digs through Kitty’s belongings she discovers a story that will change everything.
We get the learn the truth through multiple points of view spanning many generations, locations and women. It’s a book where if you listen carefully you can easily pick up all the little clues and put together what’s what yourself but not in a way that feels to predictable.
There is a lot of discussion surround race and what that meant in America at the time so it is no where near a fluffy historical fiction and really does get you thinking.
The audiobook was good with different voice actors playing the different points of view, however, the voice actor for Elise fell short and it was often difficult to figure out what was dialogue and who was talking.
This would be a great book for bookclubs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
This book is so slow moving and not captivating enough. I feel like I could guess the story and if I’m wrong there isn’t enough intrigue to keep me reading to find out.