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duskk_novels's reviews
50 reviews
A Man Without Breath by Philip Kerr
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
A Quiet Flame by Philip Kerr
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
3.5/5 - 1940, a harrowing era of world war ||. A working-class couple, Otto and Anna Quangel, receive the news of the death of their son, killed in action on French battlefields. As grief torrents into rage, their mounting resistance against the Nazis forces them to leave anonymous postcards around Berlin, slandering the name of Hitler and his murderous tyranny that robbed them of their only son and the lives of many innocent people. Ambitious gestapo inspector Escherich is determined to expose the criminals behind this silent show of defiance, and a deadly hunt for the couple ensues. As the lies grow and more innocent end up murdered, the noose around the Quangels’ necks tighten when they make their first and last damning mistake
A chilling, gripping novel that was slow-paced with endless intrigue. Great main characters with focus on other side-characters whose stories merged with the plotline well. This book was a love-hate for me. The series of events were built-up nicely and I was completely absorbed and it was interesting to read on the side characters and their place on the timeline of events. The main characters were fascinating with an emotional chain of events and simple worldbuilding. However, what made me dislike the book was the strange writing style and childish dialogue. It was hard to adapt to this unusual style and the dialogue in this felt unserious and at points, comedic. Also, there were times where there was too much focus into the side characters’ lives that it became tedious to read. Unfortunately, not a style I enjoyed
I would not recommend this book solely because of the peculiar, overdramatic, exaggerated prose which I believe dilutes the engrossing plotline, disturbing events and intriguing characters. But I am glad I read it and it was definitely worth my time. I would only recommend this if you want to try out a new, unique writing style or if you like reading classics
The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
5.0
5/5 ♡ How far lost in evil must you be to never find redemption again ?
Ex Soviet agent, Leo Demidov tries to hold the pieces of his family together. Haunted by his dark legacy, he struggles to earn the forgiveness of his adopted daughters. Orphaned by a man once under Leo's command, and brutally murdered by his hand.
His resolve is tested when old enemies resurface from the gulags he's condemned them to. Anisya, the wife of a priest whom he'd betrayed, has raised an army to avenge the loss of her family. But what will hurt Leo most ? Losing the family he fought hell to have, or finding out that one of Anisya's soldiers is his own daughter ?
This thrilling, action packed story takes you from the streets of Moscow, to prison ships and Siberian gulags to the centre of the Hungarian uprising in Budapest.
It focuses on the depth of evil and redemption, forgiveness and revenge and the value of a man's life compared to his family. It explores the vulnerability and fragility of a child's mind and the tragic ends they meet as a result of human mistakes.
An enjoyable, exhilarating story with a fantastic writing style and neck-snapping plot twists. I'll never stop recommending. Perfect for action fiction fans ♡
Ex Soviet agent, Leo Demidov tries to hold the pieces of his family together. Haunted by his dark legacy, he struggles to earn the forgiveness of his adopted daughters. Orphaned by a man once under Leo's command, and brutally murdered by his hand.
His resolve is tested when old enemies resurface from the gulags he's condemned them to. Anisya, the wife of a priest whom he'd betrayed, has raised an army to avenge the loss of her family. But what will hurt Leo most ? Losing the family he fought hell to have, or finding out that one of Anisya's soldiers is his own daughter ?
This thrilling, action packed story takes you from the streets of Moscow, to prison ships and Siberian gulags to the centre of the Hungarian uprising in Budapest.
It focuses on the depth of evil and redemption, forgiveness and revenge and the value of a man's life compared to his family. It explores the vulnerability and fragility of a child's mind and the tragic ends they meet as a result of human mistakes.
An enjoyable, exhilarating story with a fantastic writing style and neck-snapping plot twists. I'll never stop recommending. Perfect for action fiction fans ♡
Three Sisters by Heather Morris
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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
4.0
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? Yes
5.0
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Two Storm Wood by Philip Gray
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
The year is 1919. World war | has ceased as has the bloodshed that scarred the earth's roots for the last 5 years. The scene focuses on the abandoned battlefields of Northern France where army volunteers must carry out the soul-shattering task of attempting to identify over 500,000 dead soldiers through tags and possessions. On the face of this mission is captain James Mackenzie, leading his team through the hell-ravaged fields where the dead are littered everywhere and their souls forever doomed to haunt the grounds where their blood and bones decay.
Amy Vanneck, fiance to pacifist Edward Haslem, is determined to recover the body of her beloved who's missing and presumed dead. Eventually, Amy is dragged into a war of her own to find out what really happened to her fiancé. With Mackenzie, she embarks on the perilous journey and uncovers Two Storm Wood. Where 13 men have been tortured, mutilated, and murdered. And it appears her sweet, charming Edward played a sinister role in this hellshow.
A harrowing, gut-wrenching read that unveils the menacing realities of war and how soldiers are weapons used as a defence to bury the grim truth about what really happens on a battlefield when the guns fall silent.
A compelling story with many plot twists that explores the haunting complexity of violence and inhumanity. Along with this, the book details the mental issues, drug addictions and shell shock that soldiers had to combat to continue fighting the war that happened in front of their eyes as well as behind them.
A 10/10 masterpiece which I recommend to every reader. Cannot wait to reread.
Amy Vanneck, fiance to pacifist Edward Haslem, is determined to recover the body of her beloved who's missing and presumed dead. Eventually, Amy is dragged into a war of her own to find out what really happened to her fiancé. With Mackenzie, she embarks on the perilous journey and uncovers Two Storm Wood. Where 13 men have been tortured, mutilated, and murdered. And it appears her sweet, charming Edward played a sinister role in this hellshow.
A harrowing, gut-wrenching read that unveils the menacing realities of war and how soldiers are weapons used as a defence to bury the grim truth about what really happens on a battlefield when the guns fall silent.
A compelling story with many plot twists that explores the haunting complexity of violence and inhumanity. Along with this, the book details the mental issues, drug addictions and shell shock that soldiers had to combat to continue fighting the war that happened in front of their eyes as well as behind them.
A 10/10 masterpiece which I recommend to every reader. Cannot wait to reread.
Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
Circe by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
A glorious tale of how the abandoned and abused goddess Circe, used her strength and resolve to withstand the anguish thrown at her by the hands of the gods. Neglected by her family, turning against the worlds to be with the man she loved, exiled to live eternity alone, endlessly tortured by men and hunted by the goddesses who wanted to unleash hell upon her only child.
Circe is one of my favourite figures within Greek Mythology. From being constantly degraded and deserted by gods and mankind alike, she remained compassionate and fought wars to protect her son, to the point where she became the goddess of witchcraft and sorcery. She was able to manipulate the ground she walked on and the world she walked through to protect her son from the same gods that rendered her worthless. This story magnificently highlights the unimaginable lengths a woman can reach and how her determination and courage was able to make the world and mankind yield at her will.
Magical and mythological - a marvelous tale that unveils the sheer might of women.
Although I speak of the Circe's unyielding temperament and immeasurable strength, I believe the book's ending has tainted her character. I honestly thought Circe wouldn't do what she did knowing her nature and expected more of an extravagant ending acting as a last vengeance against the gods who have ridiculed and belittled her at every chance. Due to this disappointing ending, I give the book 4 stars when it could have gotten 5.
Definitely recommend for mythology fans ✧*。
Circe is one of my favourite figures within Greek Mythology. From being constantly degraded and deserted by gods and mankind alike, she remained compassionate and fought wars to protect her son, to the point where she became the goddess of witchcraft and sorcery. She was able to manipulate the ground she walked on and the world she walked through to protect her son from the same gods that rendered her worthless. This story magnificently highlights the unimaginable lengths a woman can reach and how her determination and courage was able to make the world and mankind yield at her will.
Magical and mythological - a marvelous tale that unveils the sheer might of women.
Although I speak of the Circe's unyielding temperament and immeasurable strength, I believe the book's ending has tainted her character. I honestly thought Circe wouldn't do what she did knowing her nature and expected more of an extravagant ending acting as a last vengeance against the gods who have ridiculed and belittled her at every chance. Due to this disappointing ending, I give the book 4 stars when it could have gotten 5.
Definitely recommend for mythology fans ✧*。