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mrs_moose_reads's reviews
995 reviews
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Magic Maker by Mickey Dubrow
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? N/A
4.0
I absolutely loved the concept of this book! The seamless blend of history and time-travel fantasy made for an enchanting read. I especially enjoyed the small but meaningful insights into the Jewish religion, which added depth to the story for me.
Esther Luna’s determination to solve the mystery of the Rosenfeld family, paired with the adorably shy yet resourceful Rabbi Meir Poppers, was a delight to follow. Their dynamic added heart and humour to the narrative as they worked to uncover what happened over 100 years ago.
The story masterfully jumps between 2017 and various moments in time from 1917 onwards, without adding confusion. Mickey Dubrow’s storytelling is rich and captivating- I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish!
Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction with magic and mystery!
**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Esther Luna’s determination to solve the mystery of the Rosenfeld family, paired with the adorably shy yet resourceful Rabbi Meir Poppers, was a delight to follow. Their dynamic added heart and humour to the narrative as they worked to uncover what happened over 100 years ago.
The story masterfully jumps between 2017 and various moments in time from 1917 onwards, without adding confusion. Mickey Dubrow’s storytelling is rich and captivating- I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish!
Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction with magic and mystery!
**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**
It Ends at The Wall by Lissy Porter
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-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
✨ "It Ends at the Wall" is a new dystopian journey set in a future England, engulfed by endless smog, devastating illness, and completely lost technology. It is a sharp commentary on the potential consequences of political decisions made over the past 15+ years around the world - and the ones yet to come - and feels terrifyingly relevant.
💪 Harra is the 17-year old main character and she truly shines as a resilient and determined young woman. I enjoyed watching her navigate the dangers of her world, setting out on her journey with only a mysterious list of instructions to guide her, defying the odds and meeting an odd-ball set of people along the way. It's easy to root for her, given her resourcefulness and general attitude.
🐕🦺 I can't forget Jessy, the dog! Harra finding Jessy just seemed to add a wee bit of warmth and hope to what is otherwise and incredibly bleak setting, and proves that even in the darkest moments, that companionship can lend some light.
While the story felt a bit heavy at time, given the topic, the tension and pacing made it a great read, and left me feeling quite reflective about the state of the world.
Definitely recommend this for fans of dystopian fiction!
**thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review**
💪 Harra is the 17-year old main character and she truly shines as a resilient and determined young woman. I enjoyed watching her navigate the dangers of her world, setting out on her journey with only a mysterious list of instructions to guide her, defying the odds and meeting an odd-ball set of people along the way. It's easy to root for her, given her resourcefulness and general attitude.
🐕🦺 I can't forget Jessy, the dog! Harra finding Jessy just seemed to add a wee bit of warmth and hope to what is otherwise and incredibly bleak setting, and proves that even in the darkest moments, that companionship can lend some light.
While the story felt a bit heavy at time, given the topic, the tension and pacing made it a great read, and left me feeling quite reflective about the state of the world.
Definitely recommend this for fans of dystopian fiction!
**thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review**
The Lost Apprentice by Tara O’Toole
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
“The Lost Apprentice” was kind of a great mix of dark academia, mystery, and fantasy. It kept me hooked right from the get go.
The story is set in a Dublin law firm, just one of a handful involved in a secret magical society, with games of power and deception happening behind the scenes.
Fiadh is an interesting protagonist. She’s determined and clever, and driven to solve the mystery of her cousin’s disappearance. I really enjoyed the weird tension between Fiadh and one of the other apprentices - Keefe. It added some interesting dynamics to the story.
The magic system, which has a basis in legal deeds and contracts, felt original and it played well in the plot. The book reminded me a little bit of The Atlas Six with its own Irish twist.
I enjoyed the mysterious atmosphere and the tension between characters, and it had just enough twists and turns. I’m rather hoping for a sequel!
If you like dark academia and magic, then you should read this!
**thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this in exchange for an honest review**
The story is set in a Dublin law firm, just one of a handful involved in a secret magical society, with games of power and deception happening behind the scenes.
Fiadh is an interesting protagonist. She’s determined and clever, and driven to solve the mystery of her cousin’s disappearance. I really enjoyed the weird tension between Fiadh and one of the other apprentices - Keefe. It added some interesting dynamics to the story.
The magic system, which has a basis in legal deeds and contracts, felt original and it played well in the plot. The book reminded me a little bit of The Atlas Six with its own Irish twist.
I enjoyed the mysterious atmosphere and the tension between characters, and it had just enough twists and turns. I’m rather hoping for a sequel!
If you like dark academia and magic, then you should read this!
**thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this in exchange for an honest review**
Shadow at the Morgue by Cara Devlin
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Shadow at the Morgue” is a gripping start to the Spencer & Reid Mysteries series. This historical mystery had a dark and atmospheric vibe, with a great female lead, that reminded me of the TV show “The Alienist”, with its vivid depiction of Victorian London and the unsettling underbelly of society.
Leonora (or Leo) Spencer is the sassy and determined main female character and, in my opinion, is the standout of the book. I loved her sharp wit, resourcefulness, and the way she blatantly defied societal expectations to get to the truth and be herself. Her banter with Detective Inspector Jasper Reid added a layer of humour and tension that kept me hooked….and giggling. The chemistry between the two of them promises even more intrigue and laughs in future books.
I thought the plot was cleverly crafted, with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. From stolen lockets to sinister blackmail plots, the story unfolded at a satisfying pace, although I would have loved a bit more backstory in a couple of places. I guess that’s what the future books are for!
Overall, an exciting mix of mystery, strong characters, and some history. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for Leo and Jasper.
If you like a good mystery, or if you’re a fan of The Alienist, you’ll likely enjoy this one!
**thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
**thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
🕯️✨ ‘Whisper Down the Lane’ is a haunting and chilling exploration of lies, guilt, and the lasting scars of the Satanic Panic of the 1980s.
The story alternates between Sean, a young boy caught in a storm of accusations, and Richard, a man whose life begins to unravel decades later. The way these two timelines come together is brilliant, and kept me guessing for quite a while!
Chapman creates an atmosphere of dread and tension, blending psychological horror with thought-provoking themes about memory and the ripple effects of moral panics.
There were a few twists that genuinely caught me off guard, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Although there were a couple of threads I would have liked to have seen some closure on, the story’s emotional depth and unsettling narrative made up for it.
If you’re a fan of psychological horror or fascinated by real-life-inspired thriller, this one is a must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story alternates between Sean, a young boy caught in a storm of accusations, and Richard, a man whose life begins to unravel decades later. The way these two timelines come together is brilliant, and kept me guessing for quite a while!
Chapman creates an atmosphere of dread and tension, blending psychological horror with thought-provoking themes about memory and the ripple effects of moral panics.
There were a few twists that genuinely caught me off guard, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Although there were a couple of threads I would have liked to have seen some closure on, the story’s emotional depth and unsettling narrative made up for it.
If you’re a fan of psychological horror or fascinated by real-life-inspired thriller, this one is a must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️