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kelsbookzone1's reviews
250 reviews
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A story that feels like it was written like a made for tv movie, Tru’s small town in Florida has a claim to fame: the unsolved murder of two teenage girls from 20 years ago like a true crime podcast. The author paints the scenery lovely as well as describing the details of Tru’s real passion, deep diving. A passion she shares with the new to town mysterious Rio. Unfortunately I predicted this story in about 20 pages in, from the mystery to the supernatural elements in it that I wish I had just put it down. The main character’s sister’s own unsolved murder feels like an afterthought and unnecessary for most of the plot. And being they were teens, please expect some lack of common sense to dismiss. This could be a good story if you are new to the mystery genre but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who is a heavy mystery/thriller reader. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group readers for an early release
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
Like a who done-it fantasy, the world slowly develops but grabs your attention as you follow main detective Ana and her apprentice type side kick Din solve the mystery of influential people being unalived by mysterious plants. Think sci fi poison with the plants. Be prepared for a very procedural type story but if you enjoy movies like Knives Out and the Thin Man this is for you.
I enjoyed very much how the author explains the fantasy world- the world develops naturally and not feeling as if it is just being explained to the reader. This would have been five stars for me but the pacing at the end was off and the reveal felt pretty rushed for how patient the rest of the story had been. Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine books for an early release
I enjoyed very much how the author explains the fantasy world- the world develops naturally and not feeling as if it is just being explained to the reader. This would have been five stars for me but the pacing at the end was off and the reveal felt pretty rushed for how patient the rest of the story had been. Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine books for an early release
The Madwomen of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
Scent of a Garden by Namrata Patel
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Where You End by Abbott Kahler
dark
tense
slow-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
3.0
An intriguing concept involving mirror twins and amnesia, but took too long to build anything particularly interesting. Especially for such an unhinged ending.
I would recommend trigger warnings for this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an early release
I would recommend trigger warnings for this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an early release
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This a story of Kress, a gladiator looking to have her family debt forgiven set in the same fantasy world as the author’s first novel Monsters Born and Made. You do not need to read these in order, however reading Monsters Born and Made first will give a better set up for this world.
I enjoyed watching the Kress character developing through the book, the journey she took, and I liked the ending. Be mindful, as the pacing slows down and feels uneven in the middle and the romantasy starts to feel a bit repetitive. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an early release copy
I enjoyed watching the Kress character developing through the book, the journey she took, and I liked the ending. Be mindful, as the pacing slows down and feels uneven in the middle and the romantasy starts to feel a bit repetitive. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an early release copy
Candelaria by Melissa Lozada-Oliva
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well written and intriguing; pacing got a little too slow at the end. If dark humor isn’t your thing, may not be the best book for you
Sad Janet by Lucie Britsch
funny
sad
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
4.25