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krayreads's reviews
1220 reviews
This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i really enjoyed this! i'm not huge into true crime but i do like watching/listening to a docuseries/podcast here and there, and this felt like an insight into that world. it was fascinating to learn about! our main character jane is grieving her father who recently passed away, and her grief sends her into a spiral that causes her to completely lose herself in solving real life crimes. she joins an online community of amateur sleuths and forms a close friendship with a group who become the face of the true crime community after they help solve a case.
i was absolutely hooked from the beginning. the obsession that jane had with solving crimes and the bond she forms with this group was addicting to read about. the lengths they go to find a serial killer had me on the edge of my seat. and honestly, i was gagged when the truth came out. i truly did not see it coming (i think if you are a seasoned mystery/thriller reader you probably will but i was SHOCKED). i also loved the adored the family aspect of it, especially because they were understanding about jane's grief and knew that in some way, what they were doing was helping her move on from her father's death.
the ending did feel a bit too clean. it wrapped up perfectly which made it unbelievable and that's probably the only thing i didn't like or would have preferred were different. other than that, i had such a fun time with this book!!!
i was absolutely hooked from the beginning. the obsession that jane had with solving crimes and the bond she forms with this group was addicting to read about. the lengths they go to find a serial killer had me on the edge of my seat. and honestly, i was gagged when the truth came out. i truly did not see it coming (i think if you are a seasoned mystery/thriller reader you probably will but i was SHOCKED). i also loved the adored the family aspect of it, especially because they were understanding about jane's grief and knew that in some way, what they were doing was helping her move on from her father's death.
the ending did feel a bit too clean. it wrapped up perfectly which made it unbelievable and that's probably the only thing i didn't like or would have preferred were different. other than that, i had such a fun time with this book!!!
Mask of the Deer Woman by Laurie L. Dove
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
the main character was unbearable. i am a fan of unlikeable characters, but usually there is something redeeming about them that i can cling onto. unfortunately, i found none in carrie starr. given such a monumental task of finding a missing indigenous woman while trying to figure out what's going on behind the previous disappearances of other indigenous women she's been tasked with, you'd think she'd take it seriously - or maybe even, just maybe, put the bottle of whiskey or joint down for a single moment and, i dunno, actually do her job?
but no. the new marshall on the reservation was either drunk or high in nearly every scene she was in, while interacting with other characters and trying to solve an active investigation. she didn't take anything seriously until her job was threatened and even when it came time to confront the bad guys, SHE WAS FUCKING DRUNK. she could barely even stand!! i CAN'T.
however, i did really appreciate learning more about the epidemic of missing girls on reservations - definitely a topic i think needs more coverage on mainstream media and i'd like to educate myself even further on. i also loved the mythology and spiritual aspects of the indigenous culture that interwoven into the story and the lives of the characters.
but no. the new marshall on the reservation was either drunk or high in nearly every scene she was in, while interacting with other characters and trying to solve an active investigation. she didn't take anything seriously until her job was threatened and even when it came time to confront the bad guys, SHE WAS FUCKING DRUNK. she could barely even stand!! i CAN'T.
however, i did really appreciate learning more about the epidemic of missing girls on reservations - definitely a topic i think needs more coverage on mainstream media and i'd like to educate myself even further on. i also loved the mythology and spiritual aspects of the indigenous culture that interwoven into the story and the lives of the characters.
Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O'Meara
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
this was the most fun i've had reading a nonfiction book in the longest time! i adore the way this was written - it definitely won't be for everyone, especially those who expect more "proper" historical texts. but as someone who doesn't read too many heavy historical nonfiction books, the casual tone that this book was written in, along with the fascinating facts about the history of women and their influence in the alcohol industry, made this fun, digestible, easy to follow along, and very interesting! the author was able to tell it in a way that almost felt like you were two girlfriends catching up on centuries of history. and the women? iconic. women quite literally run the world.
Strange Pictures by Uketsu
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed this thriller! I loved the way the stories all converged into one, and how the author chose to unravel each timeline/pov - I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
ok soooo not to be dramatic but this made me believe in love again???????????
i am obsessed with this. i thought lucie was one of the best - if not THE best - FMC i've read in romance in the LONGEST time. she was honest and brave, vulnerable, strong, and she handled situations like a MATURE ADULT. she felt so real. the insecurities she had about finding love i'm sure would resonate with a lot of people, as it did with me. it felt like she was verbalizing everything i've been feeling about dating nowadays. the fact that she was stepping out of her comfort zone and putting herself out there again was inspiring! she knew her flaws and remained true to herself throughout the entire story. she had a life and an identity outside of her relationship with aiden and i appreciated that so much! we hardly ever get an FMC who doesn't completely crumble whenever the man isn't breathing in her direction. she was such a phenomenal character!
aiden??? the scene of him running to her after she got stood up on a date will LIVE IN MY HEAD RENT FREE FOR THE REST OF MY FUCKING LIFE. WHAT. A. MAN. he wasn't without his own issues but he also too, towards the end, realized and owned up to his mistakes like a grown adult.
lucie and aiden had such a sweet friendship that blossomed into the most romantic yet grounded relationship i've read in a book. they were open and honest with each other, actually communicated their feelings, and i was rooting for them the entire time. the whole radio show setting was SUCH a vibe!
this was such a surprise because i've DNF'd the authors previous works before and didn't have such high expectations for this one, but it ended up being one of the best romance books ever! OBSESSED!
i am obsessed with this. i thought lucie was one of the best - if not THE best - FMC i've read in romance in the LONGEST time. she was honest and brave, vulnerable, strong, and she handled situations like a MATURE ADULT. she felt so real. the insecurities she had about finding love i'm sure would resonate with a lot of people, as it did with me. it felt like she was verbalizing everything i've been feeling about dating nowadays. the fact that she was stepping out of her comfort zone and putting herself out there again was inspiring! she knew her flaws and remained true to herself throughout the entire story. she had a life and an identity outside of her relationship with aiden and i appreciated that so much! we hardly ever get an FMC who doesn't completely crumble whenever the man isn't breathing in her direction. she was such a phenomenal character!
aiden??? the scene of him running to her after she got stood up on a date will LIVE IN MY HEAD RENT FREE FOR THE REST OF MY FUCKING LIFE. WHAT. A. MAN. he wasn't without his own issues but he also too, towards the end, realized and owned up to his mistakes like a grown adult.
lucie and aiden had such a sweet friendship that blossomed into the most romantic yet grounded relationship i've read in a book. they were open and honest with each other, actually communicated their feelings, and i was rooting for them the entire time. the whole radio show setting was SUCH a vibe!
this was such a surprise because i've DNF'd the authors previous works before and didn't have such high expectations for this one, but it ended up being one of the best romance books ever! OBSESSED!
Unholy Blood 5 by Lina Lim
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
the most emotionally devastating one yet. ugh. this series is so good!
Saving Rain by Kelsey Kingsley
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
this read more like a lit fic following our main character, soldier's, tragic childhood to his adulthood where he made something of himself. he went through so much and remained a genuinely good person and my heart melted for him and his circumstances! i wanted only the best for him. but yeah, i felt like the romance was cute but it definitely wasn't the main focus of the story which was a bit unfortunate because i was excited for it.
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
fucking incredible.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
5.0
WOW. i'm sobbing? if you look up the word perfect in the dictionary, it's just a picture of this book.