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georgey1809's reviews
578 reviews
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
'Tis The Damn Season by Fiona Gibson
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys. Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.
Under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. However, on a stormy night a group of men knock at their door, with a wounded man with occult symbols carved on his body. His death releases an ancient evil infecting St Vincent's and the children.
We follow Peter, who has made the orphanage his home following the death of his parents, as he navigates towards manhood and the idea of joining the priesthood. He is the unofficial unelected leader of the boys and takes pride in looking after them. The story also jumps to follow David, another orphan who's the same age as Peter, Brother Andrew a younger priest and mentor to Peter, and Brother Johnson who has a shady background.
I loved this book from the get go! Peter always tries to help others, and often puts others before himself. Although not one to push boundaries, he does try to stand up to Brother Johnson who isn't always as nice to the boys as he should be.
I enjoyed the way we got alternative views of the Orphanage, especially from Peter and David's narrative given their age and similar experiences. I found myself aligning more with David's point of view as the book progressed.
I don't want to say too much regarding the plot as it may spoil it, and I think you need to go in with a blank canvas of thoughts. I would highly recommend giving this one a read
4.5⭐️
Under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. However, on a stormy night a group of men knock at their door, with a wounded man with occult symbols carved on his body. His death releases an ancient evil infecting St Vincent's and the children.
We follow Peter, who has made the orphanage his home following the death of his parents, as he navigates towards manhood and the idea of joining the priesthood. He is the unofficial unelected leader of the boys and takes pride in looking after them. The story also jumps to follow David, another orphan who's the same age as Peter, Brother Andrew a younger priest and mentor to Peter, and Brother Johnson who has a shady background.
I loved this book from the get go! Peter always tries to help others, and often puts others before himself. Although not one to push boundaries, he does try to stand up to Brother Johnson who isn't always as nice to the boys as he should be.
I enjoyed the way we got alternative views of the Orphanage, especially from Peter and David's narrative given their age and similar experiences. I found myself aligning more with David's point of view as the book progressed.
I don't want to say too much regarding the plot as it may spoil it, and I think you need to go in with a blank canvas of thoughts. I would highly recommend giving this one a read
4.5⭐️
An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
The Heirloom by Graham Masterton
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Hole by Matthew Doggett
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.5
I didn't read the synopsis when I picked up this novel, knowing nothing other than it was a small-town horror.
This was a slow start for me, and although only 274 pages, felt like I was getting nowhere. Suddenly I hit the 50% mark and I was flying through the story, desperate to know what was going to happen.
This is a fantastic coming of age novel, at first I was worried the size wasn't going to do it justice, but it was the perfect length in the end. There were some cosmic horror elements as well which I enjoyed, and made me interested in exploring this genre further.
Seth is a well rounded character that you can sympathise with and put yourself in his shoes at 16/17.
I do recommend this, maybe not if you don't like gore as it could be graphic in bits, but all relevant to the story.
This was a slow start for me, and although only 274 pages, felt like I was getting nowhere. Suddenly I hit the 50% mark and I was flying through the story, desperate to know what was going to happen.
This is a fantastic coming of age novel, at first I was worried the size wasn't going to do it justice, but it was the perfect length in the end. There were some cosmic horror elements as well which I enjoyed, and made me interested in exploring this genre further.
Seth is a well rounded character that you can sympathise with and put yourself in his shoes at 16/17.
I do recommend this, maybe not if you don't like gore as it could be graphic in bits, but all relevant to the story.