whatellisreadnext's reviews
623 reviews

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

This was fun and wacky and I really enjoyed the journey. We follow Nate who recently lost his parents, escaping to the cabin in the woods he was left in the will, only to stumble upon a man called Alex and a young girl named Artemis who have been staying there. This whole thing has cosy action movie vibes, which I didn't know was a vibe I needed, but this book really got me through being ill this week. I do wish it'd pulled on my heart strings some more, I didn't cry like I expected, but I enjoyed the journey non the less. Thanks again to Book Break for the gifted copy.
Lamb by Matt Hill

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

3.0

Sometimes, things are better left ambigious. The first two-thirds were fab, engaging, and gross, which I loved. But the ending tied everything up a bit too much for me and felt very hand-holdy. The writing is great though, so I would definitely pick up more from Matt Hill in the future. The audiobook was a brilliant way to experience this if you're wondering whether to pick it up. 
The Outsider by Albert Camus

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

4.0

I've very much enjoyed my first Albert Camus. I find when I pick up an ebook, usually just before bed, they have to grab me quickly, or else I'll end up trying something else. This grabbed me straight away. We follow a main protagonist who doesn't uphold the rules of society. Refusing to grieve how people think he should, refusing to get married, refusing to feel guilt for a terrible act, refusing to believe in god. The writing is stark and very much emotionless, but the story is propelled forward, Camus seems to comment on everything and nothing. I will definitely be picking up more from him in the future, The Plague has been staring at me from my TBR for over a year.
Strange Pictures by Uketsu

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Clunky writing, not a horror book, not even a good mystery book. But it read quickly, and the use of images was fun. It's just a shame there is such a lack of substance.
The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
First dnf of the year, because 2025 is the year I'm not forcing myself through books I clearly don't like 💁🏻‍♀️ I'm just as sad about this one as you are, especially because both covers are so good. But it's giving The Virgin Suicides and Brutes, two books I didn't like thematically. There's a bit of a disconnect between me and the writing style too, but I could see this working for others.
The Country Will Bring Us No Peace by Matthieu Simard

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dark reflective sad medium-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

5.0

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

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adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham

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adventurous dark funny 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

3.0

Winterset Hollow is a beautifully written novel, I honestly can't get over how well this story was told. Not to mention is was bat sh*t crazy. I'm talking if all the animals from wind in the willows where anthropomorphic and really p*ssed, so decide hunt humans... it was a ride. This is definitely a high 3 star, I just didn't have that 4 star feeling. I think it was perhaps a bit too long and full of brutality? Saying that, it didn't feel overdone, just that it could have wrapped up quicker. I definitely recommend it if you fancy something that doesn't take itself too seriously, but also has bloody great writing.
Nevertell by Katharine Orton

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

3.0

Obviously, I am not the target audience for this, even though I am a 30 year old smol girl. I enjoyed it for what it was, a wintery middlegrade, which was educational in its depiction of labour camps under Stalin, but perhaps fell short a little with its fantastical elements. The characterisation was okay, although I guessed the twists, but again, I'm not a child. I could see a kid of 7-10 absolutely loving this story. Mountainfell by this author was a big win for me, so I'm excited to see what Katharine writes in the future.
A Loving, Faithful Animal by Josephine Rowe

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Josephine Rowe is clearly a skilled storyteller. We follow the voices of a family affected by the ptsd of their father, getting to hear from each member. Rowe created such unique voices for each of the characters. They are vivid, which makes the narrative all the more harrowing. The majority of the story takes place over New Years Eve and New Years Day, making it a very sombre seasonal story full of inner monologues and musings on life. Would recommend to all of my fellow heavy slice of life lovers.