apparatinglibrarian's reviews
2029 reviews

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

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lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.25

It was...cute. If you like Bridgerton but want something without the smut, that has more of a Jane Austen slow burn, then this is for you.

I found the main character a bit annoying and the other characters a little insufferable. Honestly, I feel like I'm analyzing a book that is meant to be care free--it was just okay. I've also been reading Thomas Hardy, so it's unfair to have strong feelings about this book after listening to a 15hr. book that is wordy and strong. Completely different; and no wonder I felt this book was too light. Anything is too light compared to a Thomas Hardy book haha.

In conclusion, it was a light, Spring regency book. I would even entertain reading the next one after this. Maybe. Probably. not.

The Return Of The Native by Thomas Hardy

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challenging emotional sad tense

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

4.0

This wasn't as tragic as Tess, or as lovely as Far From the Madding Crowd, but I liked it more than I thought I would. The first chapter was SOO hard to get through-- wordy and moved so slowly. However, I'm glad I stuck with it, because it picked up, especially at the end! The characters, I believe made their fates and found their place in the world in the end. They were all flawed characters--complicated people, who led complicated lives. In some ways the relationship and downfall of Eustacia Vye and Wildeve reminded me of the American story, "My Antonia." In some ways.

Alan Rickman narrating this was bliss. Are we surprised? Honestly, I think him reading this added to my interest of the story. I enjoyed his many accents of characters, and his emphasizes on phrases and words. He could read a phone book and make it interesting. I highly recommend going on Audible and listening to the Alan Rickman edition. Perfection.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced