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annieecusack's reviews
158 reviews
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Addiction and Rape
The Future You: Break Through the Fear and Build the Life You Want by Brian David Johnson
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was such a cool concept, but I don’t think it was executed very well. The mixture of historical and science fictions was impeccable, but the added romance, I feel, just completely ruined this book. I really loved the idea of time travel and an agency like the Ministry, but the majority of this book just seemed like a love letter to the MMC — it really took away from the plot. In addition, there was SO much foreshadowing, but it felt like such little actually happened…In the most respectful way possible, this was such a waste of a unique sci-fi concept.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hera by Jennifer Saint
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
The Arsenic Eater's Wife by Tonya Mitchell
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
dark
emotional
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
*Spoiler alert*
I genuinely think this is a 5-star story, but I wish there had been more context for how Cassie had created the books in the first place. I also thought that, when Cassie was sent back ten years, a lot more could have happened; like...she didn't even make new friends? Nothing eventful happened in those TEN YEARS? That part of the plot felt completely unrealistic and sort of...empty. Otherwise, I loved the concept, the switching between viewpoints and time periods to bring the whole picture together, and how dark the storyline was. But there were just a few plot holes that keep me from granting this book 5 stars.
I genuinely think this is a 5-star story, but I wish there had been more context for how Cassie had created the books in the first place. I also thought that, when Cassie was sent back ten years, a lot more could have happened; like...she didn't even make new friends? Nothing eventful happened in those TEN YEARS? That part of the plot felt completely unrealistic and sort of...empty. Otherwise, I loved the concept, the switching between viewpoints and time periods to bring the whole picture together, and how dark the storyline was. But there were just a few plot holes that keep me from granting this book 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Cancer
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy cow did I enjoy this book a lot. I generally think YA, especially with romantic tones, is pretty cringe, but this story was so captivating that I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for the second book to see how it all plays out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was not at all what I expected, but it was enchanting and intriguing all the same. I loved the mixture of literary fiction and mystery, and thought the writing style was great. I’m also a huge fan of alternating timelines/points of view, so that was definitely a plus for me, too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Domestic abuse
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was not my typical read but I LOVED every second of it!