smashmo's reviews
295 reviews

A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book was fine. It had the author's typical sense of humor, which I enjoy, and a fun family horror plot. 

I didn't find myself creeped out in anyway or feeling uncomfortable like I want to when reading a horror novel. I wasn't thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it, but was curious enough to get to the end. 
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Listened on Audio

I read this for a purple cover reading challenege. If it hadn't been for that, I would have stopped reading 20% in.

▫️Iris was a decent FMC but Eli was too shy/timid/awkward for my taste and there was ZERO chemistry between the two.

▫️Too many side characters that we don't get to spend enough time with so I didn't care about them.

▫️I appreciate representation, but the author did it in a way that felt forced here.

▫️3rd act breakup/argument didnt feel justified

I did enjoy the overall plot of Iris trying to get her life together and seeing how she went about it, but the overall execution here was a no for me.
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

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adventurous dark emotional sad slow-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

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

The bad:
  • Characters felt a little flat, I often forgot whose POV I was reading from. 
  • Knew all our characters would live so was never worried about their lives.
  • A little repetitive in the middle of "we travel, we are attacked, we travel etc."
  •  Romance was meh-no chemistry. 
  • Girl with powers just knows how to use them even though she knows nothing about them or why she has them.
The good:
  • The world, lore, and the gods
  • While flat, the characters are still likeable
  • Skediceth
  • Writing was passable. 
 
We will see if I continue. If the writing improves this could be a great series.
Jade War by Fonda Lee

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adventurous dark tense slow-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

Well..Fonda Lee did it again.

I have to admit I found the majority of the first 425ish pages to be slow and boring. There were some good, tense moments thrown in,  but for me all the political scheming conversations felt quite dull. Same with Anden's situation- I just wasn't crazy invested. 

The last 150 pages makes up for it though. Such a ride! I love this family and how close they are and everything the will do for each other. Scared for Jade Legacy but also... let's go!
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Cute start to a story. Love the magic system so far, and the art is beautiful. Would be interested in learning more about the world as well and who the mystery witches are. My only gripe is that the characters are a tad young and I would love if they were a little older.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

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dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I don't know how to rate this to be honest. Almost the entire time I was reading, I was so frustrated and bored. Donna Tartt tried almost too hard with all her symbolism and pretentious references. The book could have easily chopped off 100 (or more) pages and had the same effect. 

And yet, now that I'm done with it, the story is staying with me and I can't stop thinking about it. This is definitely one of those books that benefits from rereading, but it will be a while for me before that happens. 
Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson

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adventurous dark hopeful 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

3.5

This was pretty cute. I love the found family aspect here and the friendship between Anna, Colin, and Max is great. Also lots of cozy fall vibes. 

Only 3.5 stars however, because when I wasn't reading the book, I wasn't drawn to it or thinking about it. I would have finished it regardless, but I only finished this book as soon as I did because it was due back at the library. 
Mort by Terry Pratchett

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5