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lindsaypopolizio's reviews
101 reviews
To Flame a Wild Flower by Sarah A. Parker
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? Yes
3.0
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To Snap a Silver Stem by Sarah A. Parker
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was OBSESSED over To Bleed A Crystal Bloom even though information being withheld to the extent Parker keeps it close isn't for me. Her writing is beautiful and immersive, and I can't get enough. I didn't give this one 5 stars like the first because for this to be the second in a trilogy, I believe we still don't have enough information about all the characters. And I really, really wish Orlaith would talk to someone first to get their truth or think it through before making her beyond-impulsive decisions. She's an even wilder card than Aelin from Throne of Glass! š I still love her, though, and I can't wait to see how all the loose ends tie together.
Satin and Pearls by Lauren Landish
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A Step Past Darkness by Vera Kurian
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This started out intriguing. I liked the 90s nostalgia and all the characters, especially Jia (starting out and ending with her perspective was perfect). It's marketed as a supernatural thriller, but it rides that line of horror, too. Either way, it was quite the slowburn. I think the book was overwritten by 100ish pages, to the point it almost felt like the author didn't know where she wanted to take the story and wrote until she found her way.
It's unclear to me whether or not this book's a representation of the author's opinions of religion. It doesn't matter to me either way, but where Kurian's beliefs would be important is the middle. If this is a treatise on a church's potential for brainwashing, cult-like behavior, and false idols instead of human greed and power manifested within a church-centered town, then the drawn-out middle part of the book would make more sense considering Maddy's downward spiral post-brainwashed-golden-child-turned-exileāshe's nothing without the church. Otherwise, Maddy's life post-teenager didn't need to be mentioned. I would have preferred more of the pastor, especially his origin story, what he is, and his powers, as well, but again, if this book is more about the church, then it wouldn't matter because the way they used the pastor matters more than going in-depth with who and what he is. In that case, he's just a means to an end (a "thing" and not a character), and they would have used anyone or anything else in his place to get what they wanted.
I liked it but didn't love it. Slowburns aren't my jam, and with it being marketed as thriller instead of horror, people will expect it to be faster-paced and more dramatic. However, considering I'm seeing "slowburn" come up the most with ARC reviews, and I think someone's enjoyment in this novel would ultimately come down to if they like slowburns or not, I think it's going to be easy for someone to decide if they want to buy it. Since ARC readers have less info before reading, I'm expecting this book to have steady sales and a nice following after the ARC reviewing period is over and only people who bought the book/borrowed it from the library submit their reviews.
It's unclear to me whether or not this book's a representation of the author's opinions of religion. It doesn't matter to me either way, but where Kurian's beliefs would be important is the middle. If this is a treatise on a church's potential for brainwashing, cult-like behavior, and false idols instead of human greed and power manifested within a church-centered town, then the drawn-out middle part of the book would make more sense considering Maddy's downward spiral post-brainwashed-golden-child-turned-exileāshe's nothing without the church. Otherwise, Maddy's life post-teenager didn't need to be mentioned. I would have preferred more of the pastor, especially his origin story, what he is, and his powers, as well, but again, if this book is more about the church, then it wouldn't matter because the way they used the pastor matters more than going in-depth with who and what he is. In that case, he's just a means to an end (a "thing" and not a character), and they would have used anyone or anything else in his place to get what they wanted.
I liked it but didn't love it. Slowburns aren't my jam, and with it being marketed as thriller instead of horror, people will expect it to be faster-paced and more dramatic. However, considering I'm seeing "slowburn" come up the most with ARC reviews, and I think someone's enjoyment in this novel would ultimately come down to if they like slowburns or not, I think it's going to be easy for someone to decide if they want to buy it. Since ARC readers have less info before reading, I'm expecting this book to have steady sales and a nice following after the ARC reviewing period is over and only people who bought the book/borrowed it from the library submit their reviews.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
This is the first book in I don't know how long that made me cry. It's a literary masterpiece in the vein of A Little Lifeāit's smart without being pretentious, and it's a treatise on survival and perseverance despite tragedy. I loved all the characters, but Marx the most, which is no surprise considering his unending charisma. I have one frustration that almost made me rate it 4 stars instead of 5: Zevin somehow crammed every type of inequality, representation, and current social and political issues all in one book, including Marx's demise due to one of these hot-topic issues. I'm growing tired of not being able to read a book without some sort of agendaāI read to escape, not to be constantly reminded of the horrors of the world. I don't know how much of this is the decision of the author, their agent, the publishing company, or all three. We all know, but tend to forget, traditionally published authors are subject to the social and political agendas of the publication houses they sign with, which recently has me drawn more and more to indie writing. All in all, I loved this book, but I do hope publishing houses will start relaxing a bit. I want to read completely with enjoyment again, instead of the constant bombardment of being told how to think and feel.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
dark
emotional
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
I've actually had the kindle version of this book since it came out. I can't believe I waited, but I'm glad I did because it was a blast reading it with friends. We still have no clue what Orlaith is, but the book was so incredible, I don't care. The poetic imagery was a dream, Orlaith is a blast, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The Crow: Special Edition by James O'Barr
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Osgood As She Gets by Cooper S. Beckett
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
Wow š¤©š¤© I am so happy a friend recommended this book to me! I could not put it down. First off, the beginning chapter was one of the best introductory chapters I've ever read in my lifeājust the right amount of info and just the right amount of hook to keep you wanting more. The dream sequences were intense, and just like Osgood experienced them, it's hard as the reader to tell what's real or not until they're almost over. The pacing between Osgood's character development and the horror mystery unraveling was perfection, the characters are so real (especially Osgood š) they feel like they're sitting right next to you, and the illustrations were a fun touch I definitely appreciate. This is meant as a standalone, but I feel the last chapter reads more like the beginning of the next book. I bought the first two immediately after reading this, and I can't wait for the fourth. Amazing, Beckett. Thank you for the adventure!