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ottercorg's reviews
52 reviews
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-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? No
3.0
An avid alien enthusiast, I felt it important to read this book. So, I did. I think that for it's time, the story is very imaginative and interesting and fresh - which is cool! But I'm not well equipped to read books written ages ago, and I had a hard time getting into it. I appreciated the random bits of humor tossed in, and loved the illustrations in the edition I read.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Looking for an introduction to the sci-fi genre, an Internet list pointed me to this one.
I enjoyed the main characters and plot, felt that Crouch told the story well. The reason I've avoided sci-fi for so long is that my brain is not good at comprehending the science part. But this book made it palatable and mostly easy to understand - which made me enjoy it even more! Only a few times did risk going over my head.
Overall, an interesting tale that kept me invested, and not just because I had nothing better to do.
I enjoyed the main characters and plot, felt that Crouch told the story well. The reason I've avoided sci-fi for so long is that my brain is not good at comprehending the science part. But this book made it palatable and mostly easy to understand - which made me enjoy it even more! Only a few times did risk going over my head.
Overall, an interesting tale that kept me invested, and not just because I had nothing better to do.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I felt this one was sometimes slow, and sometimes confusing. A lot happening, and I couldn't figure out what exactly was going on. But I enjoyed Crosley's writing style well enough, and found the premise compelling.
However. I absolutely hated the ending. So much so that I debated only giving 2 stars.
How the hell is Lola the bad guy at the end? How does Boots get off so easy? Hello? And the sudden death of Clive just falls flat - no pun intended. Just a messy final few chapters, that almost completely ruined the book for me. Good grief.
However. I absolutely hated the ending. So much so that I debated only giving 2 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A heavy read with a slow first half, I did enjoy this one. An interesting premise full of antagonists that made me want to pull my hair out for their ignorance, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
I appreciated Chan's writing style and characters, and for once also appreciated the open ending.
I think a true happy ending wouldn't have been appropriate, but a true sad/negative ending would've been overkill or too much to take.
I appreciated Chan's writing style and characters, and for once also appreciated the open ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.5
I picked this one up after seeing it in an article, recommended to those who enjoyed Where the Wild Things Are as a child. It was my favorite, so naturally I wanted to give this one a shot.
This was easy, funny, and pleasant. I loved the conversations, particularly between Dorothy and Estelle - they felt so natural and real, as if I was right there in the room with them.
I enjoyed Ingalls’ writing style, and enjoyed the plot. The only reason I’m not giving it a full 5 stars is because the ending was SO fast I nearly got whiplash and it was almost hard to follow. The pace suits the events of the ending, but still, I would’ve appreciated a little more.
This was easy, funny, and pleasant. I loved the conversations, particularly between Dorothy and Estelle - they felt so natural and real, as if I was right there in the room with them.
I enjoyed Ingalls’ writing style, and enjoyed the plot. The only reason I’m not giving it a full 5 stars is because the ending was SO fast I nearly got whiplash and it was almost hard to follow. The pace suits the events of the ending, but still, I would’ve appreciated a little more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, Murder, and Alcohol
The Moment I Met You by Debbie Johnson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I just couldn’t get into this author’s style. Normally I give books more of a shot, but I just wasn’t into this one!
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Having finished Something Borrowed, I wasn’t looking forward to a story from Darcy’s point of view. I persevered because I thought maybe I’d like her more by the end…but I didn’t! However, the story got better as the book went on, and the ending really was sweet. And I do love Ethan! So 3.5 stars we go.
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
funny
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
4.0
Contemporary romance is not new - it’s been a favored genre of my sister for some time, and it started with Emily Giffin. Looking for my next read, my sister offered Something Borrowed and its companion, wondering whose side I would take in the end.
It’s interesting, reading a book taking place in the early 2000s. It’s fun. Nostalgic. It adds to the charm of it all.
I enjoyed it enough to commit to reading the next, but don’t love the lack of oomph. Maybe Giffin was afraid of putting her all into it - couldn’t be me.
The least she could’ve done was call it something other than “making love.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Fatphobia
The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Mm. This one will sit with me for a bit - the first thriller I’ve ever read. A haunting concept, one that Meloy worked wonders with. I felt myself invested in everything happening, engrossed in the story.
But so much was left unexplained. The story just…ends. In a way, I like the ending, because it isn’t a perfect happy ending. It’s eerie and cautious. But in all other ways, it falls flat. I would’ve loved just a few more chapters to finish the plot - who are the men? Why did the one brother kill the other? Why did what happened to Chris not happen to Oliver - did they not see the same thing? How did Seaham reconcile what happened?
I want more and I’m bummed I can’t have it. I don’t love open endings because I like straight answers. But I enjoyed what WAS there so much that it still earns 4 stars.
I want more and I’m bummed I can’t have it. I don’t love open endings because I like straight answers. But I enjoyed what WAS there so much that it still earns 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Murder