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turrean's reviews
2265 reviews
The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
The author offers crippling social anxiety, and possibly some neurological differences, for Aila’s behavior, but the character reads like a preteen, not like a grown woman. Aila pouts, Tanya smirks and teases, and a very predictable plot unfolds.
There was also a lot of moral gray area between Aila’s undoubted love and respect for the animals under her care at the zoo, and the way that same zoo exploited the animals in popular SeaWorld-style shows. (The patter of the keepers during the shows sounded exactly like every performing animal act you’ve ever seen.) The animal lore was fun, but this wasn’t for me.
There was also a lot of moral gray area between Aila’s undoubted love and respect for the animals under her care at the zoo, and the way that same zoo exploited the animals in popular SeaWorld-style shows. (The patter of the keepers during the shows sounded exactly like every performing animal act you’ve ever seen.) The animal lore was fun, but this wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty and Panic attacks/disorders
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Multilayered and very twisty.
A few of the flashback scenes kind of took on the flavor of a spy thriller tv show, since each was neatly self contained, though this impression lifted a bit once the ties among the various subplots began to come into focus. The supporting characters needed more oomph. But the denouement was exciting, and yes, I admit it…I was wrong about the ultimate reveal.
The most annoying issue was a serious lack of estrogen. Yes, the main character was a woman, but bar the nosy lawyer…and a character portrayed as an irrational drunk… nearly all the players and every member of Evie’s growing network is male.
A few of the flashback scenes kind of took on the flavor of a spy thriller tv show, since each was neatly self contained, though this impression lifted a bit once the ties among the various subplots began to come into focus. The supporting characters needed more oomph. But the denouement was exciting, and yes, I admit it…I was wrong about the ultimate reveal.
The most annoying issue was a serious lack of estrogen. Yes, the main character was a woman, but bar the nosy lawyer
The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
My rating a novel like this on the personal scale of “what I liked” feels presumptuous, though I’m doing it anyway.
This is a beautifully crafted novel. Characters are so fully developed and described that they feel like people you’ve met. I’d say “three dimensional” but they’re really four dimensional, stepping through time and from beyond death to explain and illuminate. When I finished reading I felt cheated at first of a grand Hollywood reveal of the interconnectedness of the characters’ lives, but of course in a way that’s the point: our stories ARE connected, whether we’re aware of it or not.
The audiobook was lovely (with the bonus that I heard Spanish names and phrases pronounced correctly, and not muddled by my ignorance.) It took me a moment to attune my ear to the moments when the “ghosts” began to speak to one another, and not just to the reader.
A personal note: the details of a murder which is a central event in the story made me hesitate before recommending this to some readers.
This is a beautifully crafted novel. Characters are so fully developed and described that they feel like people you’ve met. I’d say “three dimensional” but they’re really four dimensional, stepping through time and from beyond death to explain and illuminate. When I finished reading I felt cheated at first of a grand Hollywood reveal of the interconnectedness of the characters’ lives, but of course in a way that’s the point: our stories ARE connected, whether we’re aware of it or not.
The audiobook was lovely (with the bonus that I heard Spanish names and phrases pronounced correctly, and not muddled by my ignorance.) It took me a moment to attune my ear to the moments when the “ghosts” began to speak to one another, and not just to the reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Dementia, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Pregnancy and Deportation
Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Light, breezy, slapstick-y.
In Charm's Way by Lana Harper
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Back in a Spell by Lana Harper
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The ending was rushed, and the comeuppance of one character seems weirdly out of balance with the punishment meted out to another culprit.
But the romance was out of the ordinary—and lovely—as is the easy, unquestioning acceptance of all kinds of relationships by the citizens of Thistle Grove. Now that I’ve completed the series, I’ll say this was my favorite.
But the romance was out of the ordinary—and lovely—as is the easy, unquestioning acceptance of all kinds of relationships by the citizens of Thistle Grove. Now that I’ve completed the series, I’ll say this was my favorite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor Mage by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Excellent upper elementary fiction. The armadillo familiar is delightful, and the gradual way in which Oliver processes the actions of his neighbors and the consequences of his own actions is very real, despite the fantasy setting. Strangely devoid of female characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Kidnapping
The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Dark and clever, with Kingfisher’s signature twist of the details of a traditional story. The end was rushed. And what, in the name of the Lady of the Stones, was the sleight of hand with Sylvie? Oh no, we left her behind! A chapter later, oh, I guess we didn’t leave her behind after all! Phew!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A terrifying, thrilling read. There are horror scenes aplenty, but the author also shows us a devastatingly accurate—and equally horrifying—depiction of how sexism and racism distort everything in our society. Some of the most chilling parts of the narrative deal with “real world” societal issues: the men in the story belittle and demean the women they (supposedly) love, and in the process, nearly destroy themselves and their community; doctors, police officers, other town authorities, and plenty of “good” Christian folks are utterly indifferent to a threat to black children.
I rolled my eyes every time the author referred to a brassiere instead of a bra. Is that a male author thing? Or is that a southern thing?
I rolled my eyes every time the author referred to a brassiere instead of a bra. Is that a male author thing? Or is that a southern thing?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Very dark, very tragic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny and Abandonment