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tabatha_shipley's reviews
1326 reviews
The Couple in the Photo by Helen Cooper
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What I Didn’t Like:
-Slow release of information. You start off strong but then you feel like you’re sort of slogging through the rest of the book. It needed to be a bit faster in order to keep up with other things in this genre.
-The chapters that are from a different voice are frustrating. They’re supposed to be the intriguing part that brings you more information and keeps you turning pages. That sort of fell flat for me. I wanted more.
-The “big reveal” felt like a reach. The pacing of the story has been slow to this point and then everything is sort of crammed in at the end. It felt rushed and it felt like a let down.
What I Did Like:
+The dynamic between the two families is good. The back and forth of little pairings inside the relationship is realistic and the trust between the two families felt relatable.
+There are many layers to the mystery, which I personally like. You’re taken down a few paths before you come to the right one, and that’s always satisfying.
+The book does give you all the answers you need to be satisfied.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of contemporary family-style dramas who want something with more intense mystery will enjoy this one.
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
What I Didn’t Like:
-Some plot holes (we have to hurry but we probably have time for some “alone time” in the woods first) that detract from the story.
-Unlikeable main characters. Not in an unreliable narrator way, either. The main character is whiney. The love interest(s) are underdeveloped. There’s a serious lack of characters to connect with and trust.
-Some of the worst tropes in YA: absentee parents, naive but self absorbed main character, love triangle, and chosen one tropes. If you aren’t a fan of any (all) of those, skip this one.
What I Did Like:
+Fast moving. The story reads quickly so it’s one you won’t spend a lot of time with. There are more books in the series though.
+Angels. If you’re a fan of books that deal with the mythology of angels, this one will appeal to you. The book has some biblically centered theories but also takes some liberties, making this an interesting take.
+Enough questions answered to satisfy and yet enough unanswered to lead you to the sequel. It’s a good balance of information for the first book in a series.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of the Fallen series who want something similar may like this one.
A Man With One of Those Faces by Caimh McDonnell
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What I Did Like:
+Humor. My personal favorite type of humor is the kind that surprises you. This is a darker book full of twists and danger but you regularly laugh out loud at the characters and the figurative language.
+Danger. The characters spend much of the book fleeing from obvious dangers. That gives the entire story a sort of heightened sense of awareness. You read quicker because you sense the danger.
+Some characters with enough promise to carry a sequel.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of Carl Hiaasen. I see a lot of similarities in their style.
My Rating: 3 Stars
Under Stone and Shadow by A.E. Bross
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
What I Did Like:
+The character dynamics are amazing. The way they interact and speak is natural and realistic. You have no trouble imagining the crew as people and they react as they should. Just a study in good characters!
+Found family is one of my favorite things in books and this has it in spades. The family Tirzah made in book 1 appears or is mentioned often and more members are strolling in.
+Dangerous. We kept hearing that it’s dangerous to be able to wield thauma in this world but this book SHOWS you why and how in multiple ways. It’s brilliantly done and will likely only strengthen the characters and storyline in future books.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fantasy fans who want found family, magical things, special gifts, outcasts, and danger will love this series. Start with The Roots that Clutch and enjoy!
My Rating: 4 stars
Beautiful characters, excellent world building, and an all around solid fantasy book.
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
slow-paced
2.0
What I Did Like:
+Jason came into his own in this book. He’s happy, he’s confident, and he’s intelligent. This I concluded myself, of course, since Sookie constantly points out that’s he’s not a genius. Girl, your brother is TRYING, give him a break.
+Backstory on Eric is great. Depressing, naturally (I mean, he’s a vampire, his backstory is going to be death) but also explains a lot about him. It’ll be interesting to see if any of the incidents from this book change him in future books.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of the series will continue slogging through, as I did, but this is the worst one so far in my opinion.
My Rating: 2 Stars
A serious lack of plot elements and a lot of things that don’t seem to fit with the series just make this one problematic.
Balancing Wonderland by R. N. Torres
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Escape by Barbara Delinski
3.0
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Synopsis
Emily Aulenback is a lawyer with a husband and a successful career in New York City. But one day, acting on impulse, Emily leaves everything behind in favor of figuring out who she is and what she wants from life. Can she go back once she has escaped? Will she even want to?
Why Should You Read it?
I picked this one because it was a spine-out book by an author I hadn't heard of at a big name bookstore (a great way to find a new author and show them some love). The cover sounded interesting. I wasn't disappointed in the character's depth and the long running symbolism in the coyote. This is a good one.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Realistic character decisions. How to write them doing something you wouldn't necessarily agree with without making you hate the character.
Overall Rating
Three smiles
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/03/escape-by-barbara-delinsky.html
Realistic Fiction
Synopsis
Emily Aulenback is a lawyer with a husband and a successful career in New York City. But one day, acting on impulse, Emily leaves everything behind in favor of figuring out who she is and what she wants from life. Can she go back once she has escaped? Will she even want to?
Why Should You Read it?
I picked this one because it was a spine-out book by an author I hadn't heard of at a big name bookstore (a great way to find a new author and show them some love). The cover sounded interesting. I wasn't disappointed in the character's depth and the long running symbolism in the coyote. This is a good one.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Realistic character decisions. How to write them doing something you wouldn't necessarily agree with without making you hate the character.
Overall Rating
Three smiles
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/03/escape-by-barbara-delinsky.html
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
4.0
Genre
Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis
A home in postwar England, Hundreds Hall, is visited by Doctor Faraday. That is the beginning of strange happenings at the once majestic hall. You'll be wrapped up in the tale, as the house fades around the Ayres family. What is happening to them all? Could it be something supernatural or is there a more logical explanation?
Why Should You Read It?
This one is haunting and wonderful. A cross between Downton Abbey and The Shining. Highly recommended (and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ending if you've read it).
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
How to wind up slowly in a thriller so that the reader doesn't even notice they are also become worried and nervous.
Overall Rating
4 smiles and a wink.
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-little-stranger-by-sarah-waters.html
Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis
A home in postwar England, Hundreds Hall, is visited by Doctor Faraday. That is the beginning of strange happenings at the once majestic hall. You'll be wrapped up in the tale, as the house fades around the Ayres family. What is happening to them all? Could it be something supernatural or is there a more logical explanation?
Why Should You Read It?
This one is haunting and wonderful. A cross between Downton Abbey and The Shining. Highly recommended (and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ending if you've read it).
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
How to wind up slowly in a thriller so that the reader doesn't even notice they are also become worried and nervous.
Overall Rating
4 smiles and a wink.
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-little-stranger-by-sarah-waters.html
The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner
3.0
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Synopsis
Ruth Saunders is leaving everything she has ever known in Massachusetts behind on the off chance that her writing talent can earn her a hit show in Los Angeles. Her elderly grandmother, who has raised her since her parents' deaths when she was young, is going along for the ride. Follow along at this glimpse of Hollywood insiders to find whether Ruth can make her dream come true or fail in epic beauty.
Why Should You Read It?
The characters are relatable and real. The situation is high interest.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Internal dialogue.
Overall Rating
3 smiles
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-next-best-thing-by-jennifer-weiner.html
Realistic Fiction
Synopsis
Ruth Saunders is leaving everything she has ever known in Massachusetts behind on the off chance that her writing talent can earn her a hit show in Los Angeles. Her elderly grandmother, who has raised her since her parents' deaths when she was young, is going along for the ride. Follow along at this glimpse of Hollywood insiders to find whether Ruth can make her dream come true or fail in epic beauty.
Why Should You Read It?
The characters are relatable and real. The situation is high interest.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Internal dialogue.
Overall Rating
3 smiles
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-next-best-thing-by-jennifer-weiner.html
Hellworld by Tom Leveen
4.0
Genre
Young Adult Horror
Synopsis
Abby's mother has been missing, presumed dead, for five years. Now new evidence has surfaced and Abby wants to embark on a quest to see if they can find more information. But the new evidence suggests something supernatural, and Abby isn't at all a believer. Together with Charlie, whose father also disappeared, and his girlfriend Shelby, the teens will take on something you won't want to miss.
Why Should You Read It?
The suspense is well done. The story is highly creepy.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Alternating timelines. This story pops back-and-forth between two important events in the story, giving you information in an interesting spiral that makes it more suspenseful. Masterful!
Overall Rating
4 smiles, very well done!
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/06/hellworld-by-tom-leveen.html
Young Adult Horror
Synopsis
Abby's mother has been missing, presumed dead, for five years. Now new evidence has surfaced and Abby wants to embark on a quest to see if they can find more information. But the new evidence suggests something supernatural, and Abby isn't at all a believer. Together with Charlie, whose father also disappeared, and his girlfriend Shelby, the teens will take on something you won't want to miss.
Why Should You Read It?
The suspense is well done. The story is highly creepy.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Alternating timelines. This story pops back-and-forth between two important events in the story, giving you information in an interesting spiral that makes it more suspenseful. Masterful!
Overall Rating
4 smiles, very well done!
http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/06/hellworld-by-tom-leveen.html