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sony08's reviews
677 reviews
Small Fires by Ronnie Turner
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
This is a difficult one, I want to like this as it so different to anything I have read recently. But it actually left me drained. The story follows the Pedley sisters arriving at a strange, dark island where nobody wants to go. The are warned there is a devil there, people hearing strange noises and laughter from across the water.
However the sisters are also on the move due to having been accused of their parent's murdered. So it seems a perfect place for them to go.
Strange things happen on the island, the Folk that live there seems full of madness, people die in strange ways.
I think in a way this was intended to mess with the reader. I did work out what was going on with the sisters but it well hidden and thought through. I just feel a bit weird about it. Which is probably the point and therefore, well done to the author.
However the sisters are also on the move due to having been accused of their parent's murdered. So it seems a perfect place for them to go.
Strange things happen on the island, the Folk that live there seems full of madness, people die in strange ways.
I think in a way this was intended to mess with the reader. I did work out what was going on with the sisters but it well hidden and thought through. I just feel a bit weird about it. Which is probably the point and therefore, well done to the author.
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
challenging
dark
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
4.5
Keeping Mum by James Gould-Bourn
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.0
Poor Girls by Clare Whitfield
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Absolute stunner of a book. I want to watch the movie but knew I really needed to read the book first. And I am so glad I did. This is probably the best read of this year.
The story is kind slow paced, but beautifully written. The descriptions of the marches, animals, shells, feather really stand out and prove that Delia Owens is a real subject expert.
The story itself was brilliant - following Kya from such a young age and how she overcame so much in her life, you can't not admire the person.
Loved it - this is a keeper for me and I will recommend this to anyone that will listen.
The story is kind slow paced, but beautifully written. The descriptions of the marches, animals, shells, feather really stand out and prove that Delia Owens is a real subject expert.
The story itself was brilliant - following Kya from such a young age and how she overcame so much in her life, you can't not admire the person.
Loved it - this is a keeper for me and I will recommend this to anyone that will listen.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
Amazing book just like all other's written by Jodi Picoult. I love that Jodi does not take sides - she throws the reader into the arena, gives arguments for all sides and makes you work out where you stand by yourself. And it's ok to sit on the fence. She takes the most difficult subjects and lays down the details and you walk away feeling enriched and enlightened.
Thankfully we don't experience school shootings in the UK/Europe so much. We have knife crime so I can see why we have such strict laws on shot guns. This book really opens your eyes and makes you wonder how well you really know your own children. How often do you check their phone/computer/gaming console. What protection do you have in place to shield them from the bad world - should we shield them from everything.
I felt so sorry for Peter - yes, we know he is guilty right from the start and no, I have never had to experience the sort of bullying he did, but I have children, I went to school and I have feelings - I can imagine how one would feel to be treated their whole life the way he was. It shows the spiraling effect actions of other have on the whole community.
I love Jodi's brilliance and I will never stop reading her books - they should made mandatory in schools not banned.
Thankfully we don't experience school shootings in the UK/Europe so much. We have knife crime so I can see why we have such strict laws on shot guns. This book really opens your eyes and makes you wonder how well you really know your own children. How often do you check their phone/computer/gaming console. What protection do you have in place to shield them from the bad world - should we shield them from everything.
I felt so sorry for Peter - yes, we know he is guilty right from the start and no, I have never had to experience the sort of bullying he did, but I have children, I went to school and I have feelings - I can imagine how one would feel to be treated their whole life the way he was. It shows the spiraling effect actions of other have on the whole community.
I love Jodi's brilliance and I will never stop reading her books - they should made mandatory in schools not banned.
Message Deleted by K.L. Slater
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
Well paced psychological thriller with clever twists I didn't expect.
Silent Lies by Kathryn Croft
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Mia has moved on from the awful event that change her and her daughter’s live. Zach is gone, betraying them both. But life is on the up. She has someone who cares about her, someone she can trust. Freya is now 7 years old and thriving.
Until Alison knocks on the door with claims that Zach didn’t kill himself, which set Mia off onto a path of searching for the truth. This book keep going and is a quick read once the story grips you. I really enjoyed the timelines swap between Mia and Josie, it brough authenticity to the story.
There are a couple of unexpected turns and I must say I was surprised by the ending which is fab as it’s far too often now that we guess the ending and I certainly didn’t with this one.
Any fan of a psychological thriller will enjoy this book – give it a go.
Her Dark Salvation by Katelyn Brehm
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Very much reminded me off 50 shades of grey but with blood demon world and less spicy scenes. I felt the book got better half way through and too off a bit more.