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kba76's reviews
3142 reviews
Champions Again Olė Olė by Phil Brennan
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
So much more than a look back at the 2023-2024 season.
Reading this really brings home just what a fantastic sense of history Stockport County holds. The historical details are fascinating and bring to life some of the players featured on the wall inside Edgeley Park.
It means that little bit more when you come to read about the seasons you’ve been fortunate enough to have been watching County for, and I really count my blessings to have been able to celebrate two title wins with this club after some truly awful times.
This is the kind of book I can imagine the author can keep updating, and I hope it continues to look as rosy as it has in recent years.
Reading this really brings home just what a fantastic sense of history Stockport County holds. The historical details are fascinating and bring to life some of the players featured on the wall inside Edgeley Park.
It means that little bit more when you come to read about the seasons you’ve been fortunate enough to have been watching County for, and I really count my blessings to have been able to celebrate two title wins with this club after some truly awful times.
This is the kind of book I can imagine the author can keep updating, and I hope it continues to look as rosy as it has in recent years.
Lovely, Dark & Deep by Megan Stockton
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A strange and rather unsettling read.
We begin with the inhabitants of Six Mile Island preparing to face the onset of a terrible storm. Many head for the mainland, but a core group remain. They are caught up in trying to find a missing baby, while trying to keep things secure.
Before we know it it’s clear that there’s stranger things to deal with than the storm. Things coming from the ocean, supernatural creatures that pose a much greater threat.
Nobody is safe.
Not at all what I expected.
We begin with the inhabitants of Six Mile Island preparing to face the onset of a terrible storm. Many head for the mainland, but a core group remain. They are caught up in trying to find a missing baby, while trying to keep things secure.
Before we know it it’s clear that there’s stranger things to deal with than the storm. Things coming from the ocean, supernatural creatures that pose a much greater threat.
Nobody is safe.
Not at all what I expected.
Anything For You: A Tense and Unputdownable Psychological Thriller from the SUNDAY TIMES Bestselling Author by Sophie McKenzie
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
How far would a mother go to protect her child? When Alison learns that her eighteen year old daughter, Lola, has been seeing a much older man, Brendan, she is appalled. Brendan was a friend of Alison’s at university. He raped her. Alison is desperate that her daughter does not continue a relationship with him.
When Alison talks to Brendan about it, he laughs at her. However, he does agree to end things with Lola if he is paid. She steals the inheritance her boyfriend received, but the problem is not solved. Brendan is murdered, and it appears that the last person to have seen him alive was Lola.
As the police investigate, Alison and her family clutch at possible ways they can prove Lola’s innocence.
Without giving the details away, things aren’t what we’re led to believe. We lurch from one implausible scenario to another which makes for entertaining reading but never seems to make sense. The key characters we’re never really fleshed out so as the story moves forward it was hard to care too much what was going on.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
When Alison talks to Brendan about it, he laughs at her. However, he does agree to end things with Lola if he is paid. She steals the inheritance her boyfriend received, but the problem is not solved. Brendan is murdered, and it appears that the last person to have seen him alive was Lola.
As the police investigate, Alison and her family clutch at possible ways they can prove Lola’s innocence.
Without giving the details away, things aren’t what we’re led to believe. We lurch from one implausible scenario to another which makes for entertaining reading but never seems to make sense. The key characters we’re never really fleshed out so as the story moves forward it was hard to care too much what was going on.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
Mondays are Murder by Ravena Guron
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A fast-paced thriller with twists aplenty that perfectly blends the different elements to create a story that is hard to put down.
Our main character,Kay, is returning to her old hometown as her parents are going on holiday and don’t want her left alone. This is the first time she’s been back since the death of her best friend, Ivy, and the death of her aunt.
Kay is looking forward to seeing old friends and spending time with family, until she finds a mysterious note left on her bed promising a week of strange events culminating in her death…unless she can work out the identity of the mysterious Monday.
As the story progresses Kay has to reach out to people she thought she’d left behind in order to try and crack the case and save herself. In the process she learns a lot more about those she left behind.
Definitely a story to go into knowing as little as possible. Perhaps not always plausible, but great fun. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
Our main character,Kay, is returning to her old hometown as her parents are going on holiday and don’t want her left alone. This is the first time she’s been back since the death of her best friend, Ivy, and the death of her aunt.
Kay is looking forward to seeing old friends and spending time with family, until she finds a mysterious note left on her bed promising a week of strange events culminating in her death…unless she can work out the identity of the mysterious Monday.
As the story progresses Kay has to reach out to people she thought she’d left behind in order to try and crack the case and save herself. In the process she learns a lot more about those she left behind.
Definitely a story to go into knowing as little as possible. Perhaps not always plausible, but great fun. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
mysterious
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
3.0
The Grandest Game focuses on the first puzzle created by Avery as she attempts to do good with her inheritance. We have a disparate group of characters, each with their own reasons for wanting to win the prize. One thing they all have in common is wealth and a certain privilege. Hardly pushing the boat out in philanthropic terms!
While I found some of the elements of the game entertaining, there was a lot that didn’t particularly work well. We don’t ever get to see enough of some of the game players. We have no idea why Grayson is involved. There’s hints of a link to an old mystery surrounding the Hawthornes but nothing is satisfactorily explained. The dynamics between characters never quite clicked…and the hair brushing scene had me spluttering in hysterics (which I’m not sure is the desired effect).
The ending is a fairly obvious hook to make us keep reading the next spin-off. If you don’t think too much about this, you’ll be entertained. Sadly, I think the series is becoming less entertaining the more we spend time in its world.
While I found some of the elements of the game entertaining, there was a lot that didn’t particularly work well. We don’t ever get to see enough of some of the game players. We have no idea why Grayson is involved. There’s hints of a link to an old mystery surrounding the Hawthornes but nothing is satisfactorily explained. The dynamics between characters never quite clicked…and the hair brushing scene had me spluttering in hysterics (which I’m not sure is the desired effect).
The ending is a fairly obvious hook to make us keep reading the next spin-off. If you don’t think too much about this, you’ll be entertained. Sadly, I think the series is becoming less entertaining the more we spend time in its world.
Lie or Die by A.J. Clack
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If you already have a negative view of reality TV and its influence, this fast-paced thriller will serve as evidence for your negative opinion.
At the start of the book we hear that Kass is trying to get a place on a new reality TV show, Live or Die. The premise is simple…two agents, one detective and a number of players who are all competing for a major prize. Filmed continuously during the show it’s a high-stakes game where only those willing to do what it takes will survive.
Kass is rejected, but her best friend is not.
On the day the show is scheduled to begin, a most unfortunate accident means Kass is asked to step in at the last minute.
The set-up of the show takes a little longer than you’d imagine, but it introduces us to key players and offers hints at what might be to come. Itching prepares us for the shock of u folding events, and the blurring of TV manipulation and reality is cleverly presented.
From the moment the true nature of the game is revealed this has more of a horror-feel to it. It offers some interesting ideas about our obsession with people wanting to be in the public eye, but the ending felt like a rather cheap attempt to eke out something that worked once.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication.
At the start of the book we hear that Kass is trying to get a place on a new reality TV show, Live or Die. The premise is simple…two agents, one detective and a number of players who are all competing for a major prize. Filmed continuously during the show it’s a high-stakes game where only those willing to do what it takes will survive.
Kass is rejected, but her best friend is not.
On the day the show is scheduled to begin, a most unfortunate accident means Kass is asked to step in at the last minute.
The set-up of the show takes a little longer than you’d imagine, but it introduces us to key players and offers hints at what might be to come. Itching prepares us for the shock of u folding events, and the blurring of TV manipulation and reality is cleverly presented.
From the moment the true nature of the game is revealed this has more of a horror-feel to it. It offers some interesting ideas about our obsession with people wanting to be in the public eye, but the ending felt like a rather cheap attempt to eke out something that worked once.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication.
Lovely, Dark and Deep by Claudia Cain
challenging
dark
informative
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
3.75
A most intriguing start to the series.
Cassandra is used to feeling different. Her family live outside the village and their witchcraft means they are reluctant to trust people. However, when a number of children go missing and the forest shows signs of growing decay, it seems that something has found its way into the world. It’s something that needs to be stopped, but nobody is certain how to do this.
Though reluctant to share this with people Cassandra seems to know a little about the strange events. She’s aware of a gate and is fairly certain that her special kind of magic allows her the ability to take on the evil that is venturing out.
Helped by a mysterious Fae watcher of the Woods Cassandra takes it upon herself to try to enter the gate in order to rescue the missing children. A dangerous venture, with no guarantee of success.
I enjoyed the story itself, and am intrigued by Casssandra’s family and the expectations placed on them. The developing strength of Cassandra suggests that what is to come could be challenging. And the ending, with its potential threat, definitely has me keen to read the next in the series.
Cassandra is used to feeling different. Her family live outside the village and their witchcraft means they are reluctant to trust people. However, when a number of children go missing and the forest shows signs of growing decay, it seems that something has found its way into the world. It’s something that needs to be stopped, but nobody is certain how to do this.
Though reluctant to share this with people Cassandra seems to know a little about the strange events. She’s aware of a gate and is fairly certain that her special kind of magic allows her the ability to take on the evil that is venturing out.
Helped by a mysterious Fae watcher of the Woods Cassandra takes it upon herself to try to enter the gate in order to rescue the missing children. A dangerous venture, with no guarantee of success.
I enjoyed the story itself, and am intrigued by Casssandra’s family and the expectations placed on them. The developing strength of Cassandra suggests that what is to come could be challenging. And the ending, with its potential threat, definitely has me keen to read the next in the series.
What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Deceptively simple, but something within its pages resonated. A reflective read which it’s hard not to respond to with positivity.
Each of the five visitors to the Community House library is asked the same question: what are you looking for? Each of the five visitors arrives at the library feeling frustrated with some aspect of their life. Each of the five visitors meets the enigmatic librarian who offers them some recommended titles and shares with them a piece of felting. Each of the five visitors finds their life improved immeasurably by their experience.
While the repetitive nature of the book may be felt rather frustrating by the end, I found its repetitiveness indicated just how easy it is for people to become lost in the day-to-day experience. It’s so easy to lose sight of your dreams and to follow a skewed perspective that fails to take account of your changing needs and desires.
Above all, this is a book that espouses the power of books. What’s not to like?
Each of the five visitors to the Community House library is asked the same question: what are you looking for? Each of the five visitors arrives at the library feeling frustrated with some aspect of their life. Each of the five visitors meets the enigmatic librarian who offers them some recommended titles and shares with them a piece of felting. Each of the five visitors finds their life improved immeasurably by their experience.
While the repetitive nature of the book may be felt rather frustrating by the end, I found its repetitiveness indicated just how easy it is for people to become lost in the day-to-day experience. It’s so easy to lose sight of your dreams and to follow a skewed perspective that fails to take account of your changing needs and desires.
Above all, this is a book that espouses the power of books. What’s not to like?
Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
3.5
Maya has, since their mother died, felt responsible for the care of her younger sister Naomi. When Naomi is found dead, with high amounts of ketamine in her system, Maya is convinced it’s no accident. What she can’t reveal is exactly why she holds this view.
When Maya was at college she fought hard to create opportunities to take care of her sister. This involved befriending people she had little in common with…but membership to the exclusive Greystone Society would guarantee the security she craved. Unfortunately, membership to the Society comes at a huge personal cost.
The book doesn’t reveal how the various characters and their histories link. However, we know Naomi becomes caught up in an investigation into one of the Professors at her college. Could her actions be enough to warrant someone killing her?
Maya certainly thinks so.
As the book develops we gain a clearer picture of the key characters and see how their histories have shaped their present lives. It builds up to a somewhat explosive - potentially melodramatic - finale but it was definitely entertaining.
When Maya was at college she fought hard to create opportunities to take care of her sister. This involved befriending people she had little in common with…but membership to the exclusive Greystone Society would guarantee the security she craved. Unfortunately, membership to the Society comes at a huge personal cost.
The book doesn’t reveal how the various characters and their histories link. However, we know Naomi becomes caught up in an investigation into one of the Professors at her college. Could her actions be enough to warrant someone killing her?
Maya certainly thinks so.
As the book develops we gain a clearer picture of the key characters and see how their histories have shaped their present lives. It builds up to a somewhat explosive - potentially melodramatic - finale but it was definitely entertaining.
The Running Club by Ali Lowe
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An exclusive area where money very definitely talks. Esperance is home to the wealthy, an area where people have an unhealthy relationship with money. They also have unhealthy relationships that are about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Let’s be clear, this is an unlikeable cast of characters.
We follow them going about their business and realise the vast majority have no idea what they’re letting themselves in for. When one of the cast - our prototype Regina George mean girl - is discovered dead it’s more a case of find out who didn’t have a reason to kill her.
I had inklings of what had happened, but was entertained by the twisted happenings of this bunch.
Let’s be clear, this is an unlikeable cast of characters.
We follow them going about their business and realise the vast majority have no idea what they’re letting themselves in for. When one of the cast - our prototype Regina George mean girl - is discovered dead it’s more a case of find out who didn’t have a reason to kill her.
I had inklings of what had happened, but was entertained by the twisted happenings of this bunch.