keen's reviews
236 reviews

One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole

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emotional informative inspiring 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

5.0

It's a shame to see how the ratings for this book are on the lower side. Speaking as a member of a system who commentated on this book to systems, this book did a lovely job at representing DID. This is one of the best depictions of DID I've seen.

Ken is part of the Bad Day System, treated as an outsider by most of her headmates/alters for being self-hating and self-destructive. After going dormant for 6 years, she wakes up to see she's about to start her first day at work as a caretaker. On an island. To a mansion with a history of death. And there's a storm coming tomorrow. But having learned that her system has been kicked out of their apartment, Ken feels like the only choice is to follow what the last host, who has mysteriously disappeared, has set out for her.

Struggling to acclimate herself to life again, her system struggles to understand this change in dynamics. But don't think of her system as just side characters. They are unique characters with as much importance as Ken in their collective survival. With Solomon, Empress, Mesmer, Keke, Lurk, Della, and Rapunzel, we learn about the flaws and strengths they bring to the table that strengthen their bond.

My biggest issue is that it takes a long while to get to the part of the book involving the murder mystery. Most of the book is learning about Bad Day, their past struggles, their current struggles, and how everything is becoming a miss inside their minds as things get worse on the outside. If you don't enjoy the system and the story about them, you won't enjoy the book overall.

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Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

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emotional mysterious 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

3.5


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The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon

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

5.0


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The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

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mysterious reflective sad 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


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The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake

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

4.0

Coup de GrĂ¢ce by Sofia Ajram

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


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The White People by Arthur Machen

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adventurous mysterious 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

3.25