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dmackreads's reviews
107 reviews
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I think I only liked this as much as I did because I’ve seen all the movies so it made it easier to envision but there were some key differences between the two. The book felt rushed and like it was lacking something I can’t put my finger on.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such an interesting way to go about giving a lesson on learning to appreciate yourself and your life. It makes you sit and genuinely think and not only appreciate your triumphs but also your mistakes. Life can be so hard and overwhelming and mental health is a real problem especially these days. It can be so hard to stay positive and find reasons to keep living. We get so wrapped up in all we want but not appreciating what we have or seeing everything we lack instead of the potential to be more. This book gives good insight on how we should start appreciating ourselves, our path, and our life in general more. It also reminds us how every choice we make in life can change your whole life path. I think it’s a concept everyone should read about at least once.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’ll be honest, at first I thought this was only going to get 1 or 2 stars from me. The true crime aspect got really annoying and I wasn’t sure where the story was going.
But as I kept reading I saw depth and a better plot. I didn’t care for Phoebe at first but I started to relate more to her later in the book. She’s been through a lot that makes emotions, feelings, relationships etc., hard for her. Essentially it’s a story about learning to overcome those things and rebuild relationships whether it’s friends, family, or potential partners.
I ended up enjoying it and think there’s some lessons to be learned!
But as I kept reading I saw depth and a better plot. I didn’t care for Phoebe at first but I started to relate more to her later in the book. She’s been through a lot that makes emotions, feelings, relationships etc., hard for her. Essentially it’s a story about learning to overcome those things and rebuild relationships whether it’s friends, family, or potential partners.
I ended up enjoying it and think there’s some lessons to be learned!
Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
I wasn’t sure about this one at first but pages 50-70 is about where I started getting more into it. I’m not usually into immediate smutty behavior/comments but given the nature of the characters I suppose it makes sense. However, as time went on the amount of smut in this book started to get extremely annoying. There quite literally was some form of sex scene like every 10 pages and it was so unnecessary. I usually DNF books like that but I enjoyed the plot. It was interesting and included some suspense.
Personally, I think this could’ve been turned into something crazy cool. If there had been some more depth, world / character building, a way more detailed ending, a little more suspense during action moments etc.
Personally, I think this could’ve been turned into something crazy cool. If there had been some more depth, world / character building, a way more detailed ending, a little more suspense during action moments etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Exodus by Kate Stewart
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
DNF @ 27%.
I just CANNOT get into a book where you start dating a man, then start fucking his “brother” at the same time, now you’re basically dating them both, then when you’re pulled away from them because of who controls them you start fucking him. So now you have a thing for 3 different men and they’re all shit really. And I’m just over it. The reading is hard to follow, you’re sleeping with your arch enemy every 5 pages of this book, I fear I’ve lost the plot. Goodbye
I just CANNOT get into a book where you start dating a man, then start fucking his “brother” at the same time, now you’re basically dating them both, then when you’re pulled away from them because of who controls them you start fucking him. So now you have a thing for 3 different men and they’re all shit really. And I’m just over it. The reading is hard to follow, you’re sleeping with your arch enemy every 5 pages of this book, I fear I’ve lost the plot. Goodbye
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I didn’t find the humor in this and it was so unrealistic, yes I get it’s fiction, but come on. I kept waiting for there to be a point, some added plot, but there was none. I really thought I’d love this so I’m a little disappointed. I did enjoy the first half, but it just fell off for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Flock by Kate Stewart
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.0
I like the concept of this. It has so much potential but I literally hate the way it was written. I struggled to follow what was even going on multiple times and that doesn’t happen to me. I started this book almost a month ago and paused multiple times to read other books in between because I just couldn’t get invested. The only reason I didn’t dnf is because I like the story itself. I was immediately intrigued then lost the plot after a couple chapters and didn’t really get into it again until towards the end. I really hope the 2nd book is written better.
Seed by Ania Ahlborn
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Okay well, this book was definitely harmful to my anxiety and the ending?? Come onnnn bro, so brutal. This books descriptive imagery can be graphic in some parts, just warning ya’ll now. But it was very good and written very well. It kept my interest. I just was very anxious reading it so sometimes I didn’t even want to during times I knew I couldn’t handle the extra stress. Highly recommend though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was actually insane and so sad. You get to see from the three dead women’s perspectives the after effects of their murders. They follow this man, detectives, and their families unheard, unseen, and unfelt in hopes of putting a stop to him hurting anyone else. Eventually these girls all connect in the “after life” and are able to communicate with each other. It’s tense and definitely caused a spike in my anxiety out of fear for people in this book. It was so good I finished in less than 24 hours.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
A Love Letter to Whiskey: Hello Lovely Box Special Edition by Kandi Steiner, Kandi Steiner
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
This book was A LOT. It’s the extended version and it was just too much but obviously you can choose to not read the extended version.
I knew this followed a toxic relationship but holy fuck, I was starting to get so annoyed. The constant cheating and complete lack of communication was asinine. Regardless though, it’s very real and relatable for a lot of people. This book was written incredibly well and I cared for the characters even though I wanted to bash their heads together sometimes.
So, I guess I have mixed opinions on this story and how I wanted to rate it but I settled on a higher rating because I felt the things I was meant to feel even if that was frustration and I did enjoy the story and loved the way it was written. I also liked that I was able to connect to the characters and feel emotion for and toward them and I stayed interested in what was going on.
I knew this followed a toxic relationship but holy fuck, I was starting to get so annoyed. The constant cheating and complete lack of communication was asinine. Regardless though, it’s very real and relatable for a lot of people. This book was written incredibly well and I cared for the characters even though I wanted to bash their heads together sometimes.
So, I guess I have mixed opinions on this story and how I wanted to rate it but I settled on a higher rating because I felt the things I was meant to feel even if that was frustration and I did enjoy the story and loved the way it was written. I also liked that I was able to connect to the characters and feel emotion for and toward them and I stayed interested in what was going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol