eggbeater's reviews
1209 reviews

Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I thought this little novella was excellent! It was so messed up! The characters are really well drawn. I know men like JR's doomsday prepping dad, so it made the story that much more realistic for me. Sawyer seemed like your average angsty teenager until events converge. This is a fabulously funny, horrific time.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-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

4.0

A single mom becomes an accidental contract killer. This was a really funny and not too serious murder mystery with a very likeable and relatable protagonist. I recommend it for when you need to alleviate stress.
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-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

3.5

I ended up liking this book okay. I had to refresh my memory of some old literature in order to get some of the references and if you are not familiar with Lovecraft there is a whole chapter that won't make any sense at all. Though I realize it was written in 1993, the book does refer to Romani people as Gipsies; it does not appear to disparage them in any other way. 

The book is quirky and humorous and narrated from the point of view of a dog. For what it's worth my money was on the cat to win the game, she was my favorite character. Always bet on the cat.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

This was a gorier YA novella than I'd expected, which made me like it more. It was a perfect quick Halloween read. I will happily continue with the series. This is the third book I've read by Seanan McGuire and all three were impressive--all smart and bloody and inclusive.
Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Well that was dark and twisted. This book was good, but it made me want to scrub my brain. I related to all the 80s pop culture references having grown up the same age as the main character, which made it all the more disturbing. I blame Nancy Reagan for the Satanic panic--just because I can.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

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adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious 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

4.75

I read Romeo and Juliet so long ago in high school that I can't make accurate comparisons, so I just enjoyed the first half of this retelling duology on its own merit, and I thought it was great. The atmosphere created made me feel like I was really in 1920s Shanghai and I think I came away from the book with a better understanding of why communism looked appealing under their circumstances. I loved the sci fi element and Juliette and Roma were bad ass characters. The book has more of a gangster/ sci fi flavor than a romance. I can't wait for the next book.
Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.25

I have read three books set in the 1920s recently and it was interesting to compare the characters' experiences based on their race. In this novel the characters are white and so they're coming from a place of privilege even though they experience hardship. The tone of the book is more traditional suspense and focused on bootlegging than the books I read that were set in Harlem and Shanghai. It is like watching a Turner Classic Movie. I enjoyed it immensely. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The characters were really well drawn and the pacing was good. I could not stop reading.
Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement by Tarana Burke

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

A very inspiring story of a life dedicated to activism from a woman who made herself vulnerable in order to help others. This book is powerful and hopeful. I didn't understand the religious aspects of Tarana Burke's journey, but she was stating her truth and telling her own personal story. I am in awe of her. I think it's important that people realize the discrepancy between resources for abused girls of color. They need a safe space to talk about their experiences and Tarana Burke created that. I hope that message is amplified and communities come together.
Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The atmosphere created for the setting of this book was perfect. I also liked that it wasn't a traditional "girl aids police detective" trope. The characters were complex and interesting and I imagine history was portrayed accurately. I do wish parts of the plot hadn't been given away. It wasn't perfect, but it was a good debut and I look forward to more.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

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emotional funny reflective 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

4.0

I liked Eva a lot. I liked the portrayal of a Black woman with an invisible disability who was such a dynamic character. As a person with an invisible disability, I appreciated this. I liked her daughter, the 12-year-old therapist. I didn't hold out much hope for the romance. In real life, that was too dysfunctional to end well, but I really enjoyed the story.