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mirandalikesbooks's reviews
40 reviews
Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
This one kept me hooooooked. The twists kept me guessing. I really cared about the POV characters. What more could you want from a thriller?
Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This was my favorite of the series! Shane's character arc is perfect. And Marguerite is such a boss.
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyed this a lot! It's a mystery that took me through a whole range of feelings about the narrator and her father. It also has some insightful commentary about privilege and abelism.
In parts I felt like it could have used an edit. The main character used the word inane/inanity often enough that it was noticeable. I also thought some of the footnotes could have been cut. All in all though would recommend!
In parts I felt like it could have used an edit. The main character used the word inane/inanity often enough that it was noticeable. I also thought some of the footnotes could have been cut. All in all though would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Rape, Terminal illness, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Love a sapphic romance and Wilsner is one of the best in the game. Grace and Matthews are my autistic/adhd couple icons. I love the way miscommunication plays out in this book - it's different than how that trope usually plays out in a good way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
I liked it. Great if you like funny, personal first person POV. Vesper, the main character, is quick & snarky and the story moves super quickly so it's an easy read. Fun.
I thought some of it was a little cliche and unbelievable. Mild spoiler:So many pentagrams. It's not doing anything deep really. Reads a tiny bit YA for me.
I would have trust issues for life if I was Vesper.
Would recommend for an easy palette cleanser
I thought some of it was a little cliche and unbelievable. Mild spoiler:
Would recommend for an easy palette cleanser
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Murder
The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Once I settled into the poetry of the writing and the pov for the whole book being statements from separate people, I was strapped in and ready for the rest. I think this was an extremely thoughtful lens on how similar experiences can impact people differently. Power dynamics and class dynamics were examined in such a clever and memorable way.
I've never read a book that compares to it in style. So much was packed into <200 pages. It has incredible re-read value.
If you are someone who needs a plot and an answer and a loveable main character (or any main character at all), this is definitely not the book for you. This book will make you think, confuse you at times, punch you in the gut, and make you really think about the human condition.
I've never read a book that compares to it in style. So much was packed into <200 pages. It has incredible re-read value.
If you are someone who needs a plot and an answer and a loveable main character (or any main character at all), this is definitely not the book for you. This book will make you think, confuse you at times, punch you in the gut, and make you really think about the human condition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Classism
Look Closer by David Ellis
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
Best thriller I've read in a long time! It made me want to read everything else Ellis has written.
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Simon's dedication to the long con is absolutely unmatched. He's truly diabolical, and somehow completely justified. What an amazing character.
Would absolutely recommend!
The twists build on each other in a really clever way. Some of the unknowns never get wrapped up which I thought was a great way to leave me wanting more. Alongside incredible thriller/mystery story construction, Ellis managed to make Simon and Vicky and Jane and Christian super engaging POV characters.
Would absolutely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This series just keeps getting better! I think Piper and Galen were such a lovely pair, and the secret to what was causing the deaths being explored in the beginning was a fun adventure.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book read like a memoir or a stream of consciousness. Like memories pieced together. It was an intimate POV of a first generation experience, of growing up black in the south, of the changing nature of faith and religion, of what it's like to see your family struggle with mental health issues and addiction. You really get to know who Gifty is and what drives her throughout this novel.
I would recommend this if you're drawn to memoirs or particularly reflective fiction.
My biggest qualm with this book is that I felt like I was waiting for the book to pick up a plot line that it never did. I also don't read a lot of books this tied up in Christianity, so I may have not been the perfect audience.The hard cut at the end to her being in a relationship with Han having already experienced her mom's passing felt too sudden for me too.
I would recommend this if you're drawn to memoirs or particularly reflective fiction.
My biggest qualm with this book is that I felt like I was waiting for the book to pick up a plot line that it never did. I also don't read a lot of books this tied up in Christianity, so I may have not been the perfect audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Would maybe come back to this
I just immediately felt so sorry for the main character and slightly embarrassed for him and it was not the vibe
I just immediately felt so sorry for the main character and slightly embarrassed for him and it was not the vibe