tabatha_shipley's reviews
1326 reviews

What I Did Like:

+Easily drop right back into the world. There’s enough back information to remind you what was happening in the previous book without overloading you if you’re reading them back to back. 

+Makeo and Witt are fantastic characters. They’re both loyal, driven, and smart. Plus with Makeo you also get an interesting take on curses. 

+Everything related to yanna and the shadow realm is well written. You gave enough detail woven into the story to feel like you understand it all and accept it as fact yet you are never lost in the descriptions. It doesn’t ever feel like you’re sitting through a boring lecture on the topic.

Who Should Read This One:

-Readers of upper middle grade or YA fantasy who want action and a type of magic, this is a great series. Start with Odriel’s Heirs and enjoy! 

My Rating: 4 Stars

This sequel is only an improvement on what was a good opening book. Settled into the characters and the world now we can explore the depth of the shadow plane and really get into the action. 

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/29/2024-book-review-idriels-children/ 

What I Did Like:

+The darker nature of the book is captivating. Even before you know exactly what the dark subject material is, something about the way the story is written is gothic and dark in the best way. 

+The story spirals to deep and terrifying depths. Each small reveal feels like it takes you deeper into the dark world of this house and this family. There’s a layer of mystery surrounding the story early on and the reveals don’t disappoint. 

+The ending is BEAUTIFUL (in a dark way, obviously). The final line of chapter 36 (no spoilers) is PERFECTION. Simple and powerful. 

+The voice. This one does an excellent job of cycling through the main character’s emotions and struggles in the voice. You can see a difference in the voice at the beginning, middle, and end from sentence structure to word choice. It’s a journey and you take it with her in every aspect of this book. 

Who Should Read This One:

-Horror fans, specifically those who enjoy that gothic vibe permeating a story that gets perpetually darker. 

-Mystery/Thriller fans, while this one may not be your normal choice of book it definitely packs a punch in the mystery and thrills department because it keeps its secrets to the end. 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Thanks to the person who recommended this one! You were right, this is a masterpiece. If you can handle dark fiction and like or want to dabble in horror, this is the one! 

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/29/2024-book-review-just-like-home/ 

What I Did Like:

+Characters who break the cliche. I adore characters who aren’t what you expect and this book has that. I appreciated their struggles and flaws, it made them unique! 

+The romances are cute. I like the inclusion of kids for a realistic twist on what dating at other times in your life looks like. 

+The book club angle was cute although you’d never catch me in a genre specific book club. I need variety! But the small discussions about books was a cute way to let you know who the characters were by who they identified with. 

Who Should Read This One:

-Romance fans who want women who already have kids, lives, and baggage as the main character.

My Rating: 3 Stars

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/27/2024-book-review-the-summer-book-club/ 

What I Did Like:

+You drop right back into the character’s world without a problem. There wasn’t too much recap of previous events, just enough to help you remember. Perfect start for a sequel! 

+Well written characters. I enjoyed the old favorites and the new ones. They feel real despite quirks and I loved them all. Plus, I like the way so many of them stand out against cliche characters in similar books. 

+The multi-layered solution works and is satisfying! Plus, you have to love a book where the characters don’t get everything right on the first try. It keeps the mystery alive! 

Who Should Read This One:

-Fans of cozy mysteries with great characters will enjoy this series. Start with Buried in a Good Book and enjoy! 

My Rating: 4 Stars

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/26/2024-book-review-on-spine-of-death/ 

What I Did Like:

+The professional side of Patrick is always well written. He’s dedicated, focused, and driven. Plus the way the author takes you into his mind when he’s cracking the case open is really interesting. It is better than just saying he figured it out. 

+Tessa remains my favorite character. I have enjoyed watching her grow into her odd interests as the series has gone on. She’d be a great main character herself.

+The mystery is bigger than the previous books, which ups the danger factor and keeps readers on their toes.

Who Should Read This One:

-Fans of the previous books in the series will, obviously, stick with Patrick for this adventure.

My Rating: 3 Stars

This one had some problems that are either new to the series or problems that have gone on too long with the series, but the character is still well written and the mystery is still satisfying. 

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/26/2024-book-review-the-queen/ 

What I Did Like:

+The mystery sucks you in quickly. It isn’t long before you’re wondering what is going on and looking for the answers right along with the main character. 

+The ending is realistic. No spoilers, obviously. But I can say it didn’t reach for the perfectly tied up ending so many books in this genre try for. I appreciated the realism. 

+As hard as it can be to read at times, I did like the way the main character’s depression and addiction came through. It’s not cliche, instead using techniques that show you and feel realistic. 

Who Should Read This One:

-If you like contemporary stories with flawed main characters who confront their own demons, you will like this one even though it’s a mystery/thriller. 

My Rating: 3 Stars

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/22/2024-book-review-the-lost-ones/ 

What I Did Like:

+The email content provided a change up in the delivery, which added a little fun to the story. I always find myself able to read a book even faster when it changes up styles like that! 

+Twisty and shocking. Every assumption you make is wrong, which is fun in this kind of thriller.

+Caleb. He’s a good character, relatable. He has goals that make sense and his grief feels realistic. He’s the only decent guy buried in a cast of horrible people.

Who Should Read This One:

-Fans of thrillers with so many twists you’ll get whiplash. You aren’t worried about good people or realism, you just want to be shocked. 

My Rating: 3 Stars

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/20/2024-book-review-the-coworker/ 

What I Did Like:

+Large cast done right! This one had the potential to be confusing with its large cast but, instead, it’s a great example of how to write them well! Each character has their own personality and that comes through when they’re the focus of a chapter but the way they all connect together helps the reader keep them straight. 

+The relationships between these characters were well written. They’re relatable and, often, hilarious. Plus the banter is great! If you like drama, relationships, and mess in your family stories — this one is perfect for you. 

+The ending works. A good combination of nostalgia and looking forward, this ending was balanced. 

Who Should Read This One:

-Readers who enjoy a contemporary story about a messy family with all their troubles. 

My Rating: 4 Stars

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/20/2024-book-review-last-summer-at-the-golden-hotel/ 

What I Did Like:

+Intriguing concept. There’s enough unknown to make it captivating yet still manages to be unique even for the genre. 

+Scientific process kept in the story. A lot of this book is scientists testing and debunking theories. There’s typically a lot of them in a room together and they’re just throwing ideas out. It’s pretty accurate as far as that goes. 

+The concept of the sync was interesting. It’s not something I’ve seen done before so that made it unique, as well.

Who Should Read This One:

-Fans of Scifi who are not sticklers for grammar and like when science, particularly scientific process and discussions, take front and center. 

My Rating: 2 Stars

For me, the dry prose and awkward grammar made this a hard one to enjoy. I was simply pulled out of the story too much to enjoy it.

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/15/2024-book-review-symmetry/ 

What I Did Like:

+The end of Part 1 was a shock in the best way. This was the twist I didn’t know I needed to change up this book. I wish it had explored that more.

+The concept of past lives and people who can read them is intriguing. To see it utilized is good. 

+Marcus. He’s a solid character who proves himself to be a good guy time and again in this book. He deserved so much better. 

Who Should Read This One:

-Fated love fans. That’s a requirement for enjoying this book. If you don’t like that trope, it’s not for you.

My Rating: 2 Stars

For me, the use of mental health as a red herring plot point was problematic. 

For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/14/2024-book-review-wait-for-me/