You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
jennametheny's reviews
163 reviews
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The mystery did keep me hooked, but I have to say in order for this plot to work every single character has to repeatedly make frustratingly bad decisions.
The ramp-up is slow and involves more fiddling with light switches than it does scares, but the scary parts are quite good.
And the third act twist is a bit out of left field considering the POV character is hiding some major details from the reader. It’s a tough sell when reading a first-person perspective.
The ramp-up is slow and involves more fiddling with light switches than it does scares, but the scary parts are quite good.
And the third act twist is a bit out of left field considering the POV character is hiding some major details from the reader. It’s a tough sell when reading a first-person perspective.
Warrior: My Path to Being Brave by Lisa Guerrero
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A biography so funny and charming, it can draw in even the most hesitant non-fiction haters. Trevor Noah is whip smart and I know I learned a lot, but I was also smiling the whole time.
The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love that the protagonist of the story isn’t a fighter, isn’t a warrior, but is still brave, strong and sharp. Diversifying female protagonists! By book three I’ve learned how to pick up on Noni’s hints, so I didn’t get caught in any plot twists. But this is a satisfying end to a fun trilogy. Sure, there is some tropey writing and certain dialogue choices are questionable but I adored the characters and the narrative enough to get to the end, and I’m glad I did. This is a world I’ll miss.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Suicidal thoughts
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Ice Breaker by Lian Tanner
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
2.75
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The story is compelling, Persephone is fun to read and is one of the few “strong female protagonists” who actually feels strong in her own way, instead of just generically stubborn. Her relationship with her mother was fascinating. My only (minor) complaint is certain chapters could have been edited better- a few times the author decides to tell us something happened earlier in the book that we didn’t get to read about, but don’t worry it totally happened. That’s a little distracting and pulls me out of the narrative, but it was by no means a dealbreaker. I enjoyed this!